Contemporary Contemporary Islamic Studies at Islamic Studies at

University of University of Aberdeen? Aberdeen?

Dr Gabriele Marranci Dr Gabriele Marranci

Religious Studies Religious Studies

Dr Ataullah Siddiqui’s Report

On 10th April 2007, Dr Siddiqui submitted to Bill Rammell MP, (Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education) a report titled Islam at University in England: Meeting the Needs and Investigating the future.

The report provided some material for discussion of what ‘Islamic studies’ may be today, post 9/11.

The report shows the deep crisis of traditional Islamic Studies in the UK.

England England In England we can trace at least 19 institutions In England we can trace at least 19 institutions

(including Universities, Institutes, and Centres) (including Universities, Institutes, and Centres) offering at undergraduate and postgraduate level offering at undergraduate and postgraduate level programs on Islamic Studies (see programs on Islamic Studies (see Appendix HAppendix H).).

Some Universities have departments focusing on Some Universities have departments focusing on Middle East Studies, such as Cambridge, Durham Middle East Studies, such as Cambridge, Durham University, The University of Leeds, The University of University, The University of Leeds, The University of Manchester, The University of Nottingham, SOAS, The Manchester, The University of Nottingham, SOAS, The University of Oxford. University of Oxford.

Some universities have two departments focusing on Some universities have two departments focusing on Islamic related topics: one that is more political and Islamic related topics: one that is more political and based in Politics and IR or middle east studies, and based in Politics and IR or middle east studies, and another in Divinity and Religious Studies.another in Divinity and Religious Studies.

The majority of the English universities teach Islamic The majority of the English universities teach Islamic Studies within departments of Divinity and Religious Studies within departments of Divinity and Religious Studies. Studies.

England England The most comprehensive university offering The most comprehensive university offering

courses and research in the field of Islamic courses and research in the field of Islamic studies is SOAS, in London. studies is SOAS, in London.

Islamic studies in England is very variegate, Islamic studies in England is very variegate, and with few exceptions, focused on traditional and with few exceptions, focused on traditional 1960s Middle East Studies or, in the case of 1960s Middle East Studies or, in the case of Divinity and Religious Studies, Islamic history Divinity and Religious Studies, Islamic history and theology (fiqh, shari’a, Qur’anic studies). and theology (fiqh, shari’a, Qur’anic studies).

Recently (in particular in the aftermath of Recently (in particular in the aftermath of 9/11), some new courses on ‘Islam in Britain’ 9/11), some new courses on ‘Islam in Britain’ or ‘Muslims in Britain’ have been developed (a or ‘Muslims in Britain’ have been developed (a majority at the level of MA). majority at the level of MA).

For instance: University of Birmingham, SOAS. For instance: University of Birmingham, SOAS.

Scotland Scotland Despite the historical connections as well as Despite the historical connections as well as

the actual economical links that Scotland had, the actual economical links that Scotland had, and has, with the Muslim world, the study of and has, with the Muslim world, the study of Islam and Muslims is very much less Islam and Muslims is very much less developed. developed.

University of Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh: Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

Edinburgh Institute for the Study of the Arab Edinburgh Institute for the Study of the Arab World and Islam. World and Islam.

The university has other courses concerning The university has other courses concerning Islam in different departments (such as Islam in different departments (such as history of Art and RS). history of Art and RS).

University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow: Theology and Religious StudiesTheology and Religious Studies Centre for the Study of IslamCentre for the Study of Islam (3 members of staff )(3 members of staff )

Scotland Scotland

University of St Andrews University of St Andrews Institute for Iranian Studies (only PG)Institute for Iranian Studies (only PG) Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and

Caucasus Studies (MECACS) (only PG) Caucasus Studies (MECACS) (only PG) Few courses on Islam available (UG and Few courses on Islam available (UG and

supervision) in anthropology, history and supervision) in anthropology, history and politics. politics.

University of Stirling University of Stirling School of Languages, Cultures and ReligionsSchool of Languages, Cultures and Religions

1 course (10 credits) ‘Islam as a Way of Life’ 1 course (10 credits) ‘Islam as a Way of Life’

University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen

There is great potential for The University of There is great potential for The University of Aberdeen to develop through the curriculum Aberdeen to develop through the curriculum reform a unique approach to the study of reform a unique approach to the study of Islam and Muslims.Islam and Muslims.

I call this approach Contemporary Islamic I call this approach Contemporary Islamic Studies. Studies.

We cannot compete with The University of We cannot compete with The University of Edinburgh on topics such as Middle East or Edinburgh on topics such as Middle East or traditional Islamic studies. traditional Islamic studies.

Or with the Or with the Centre for the Study of Islam Centre for the Study of Islam for theological approaches. for theological approaches.

Contemporary Islamic Contemporary Islamic Studies Studies

My visit to the My visit to the National Centre of National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies Australia.Excellence for Islamic Studies Australia.

Melbourne University, Griffith University, Melbourne University, Griffith University, University of Western Sydney (UWS).University of Western Sydney (UWS).

UWS: develop a new approach to the study UWS: develop a new approach to the study of Muslims which brings together Muslims of Muslims which brings together Muslims and non-Muslims and offers UG courses and non-Muslims and offers UG courses aimed to develop specific skills for aimed to develop specific skills for journalists, politicians and so on. journalists, politicians and so on.

Strong focus on PG and research. Strong focus on PG and research.

Contemporary Islamic Contemporary Islamic Studies Studies

Based on a social scientific approach to Based on a social scientific approach to Muslim culture and issues worldwide. Muslim culture and issues worldwide.

Offering an understanding of contemporary Offering an understanding of contemporary global challenges. global challenges.

Global flows of ideas and knowledge.Global flows of ideas and knowledge. Economic networks and Muslims.Economic networks and Muslims. Flows of people through migration.Flows of people through migration. The global development of the Muslim diaspora.The global development of the Muslim diaspora. Global revivalism and the emergence of religious Global revivalism and the emergence of religious

centres.centres. Religious practice and politics. Religious practice and politics. Global networks of reformism and Islamic movements. Global networks of reformism and Islamic movements. Muslim countries, groups and conflicts. Muslim countries, groups and conflicts.

Contemporary Islamic Contemporary Islamic Studies Studies

The aim is to develop a program, and possibly The aim is to develop a program, and possibly a centre for advanced research, which a centre for advanced research, which connects University of Aberdeen to other connects University of Aberdeen to other international universities (in Europe, USA, and international universities (in Europe, USA, and Asia) that are developing similar approaches to Asia) that are developing similar approaches to the study of the Muslim world. the study of the Muslim world.

Contemporary Islamic Studies can be one of Contemporary Islamic Studies can be one of those those New Aberdeen CoursesNew Aberdeen Courses designed to designed to introduce, compare and apply to specific introduce, compare and apply to specific problems. problems.

What we have, what we What we have, what we need need

We have some members of staff within the We have some members of staff within the College of Arts and Social Sciences with the College of Arts and Social Sciences with the right skills to start such a project. right skills to start such a project.

I have tried more than once to do so. I have tried more than once to do so. Shared vision among the member of staff.Shared vision among the member of staff. Difficulties experienced at the level of School Difficulties experienced at the level of School

administration. administration. Need to develop the project at College level.Need to develop the project at College level. Need a ‘strategic’ recruitment of new staff to Need a ‘strategic’ recruitment of new staff to

support the fields of Contemporary Islamic support the fields of Contemporary Islamic Studies. Studies.

Example: in the case of a vacancy within the school of Example: in the case of a vacancy within the school of law, priority being given to select a new member of staff law, priority being given to select a new member of staff who can also contribute to courses or supervision in the who can also contribute to courses or supervision in the field of Shari’a law. field of Shari’a law.

What we can miss What we can miss We are among the first 200 universities in the world, We are among the first 200 universities in the world,

aiming to be among the first 100 in forthcoming years. aiming to be among the first 100 in forthcoming years. We are the only university which has no visible We are the only university which has no visible

program (not even a minor!) concerning Islamic program (not even a minor!) concerning Islamic studies or the study of Muslims, despite validating the studies or the study of Muslims, despite validating the Al-Maktoum Institute.Al-Maktoum Institute.

There are discussions to start a ‘European centre of There are discussions to start a ‘European centre of excellence for Islamic studies in the UK.’ excellence for Islamic studies in the UK.’

As far as I know, we are not part of that discussion. As far as I know, we are not part of that discussion. By providing an extremely visible and innovative, but By providing an extremely visible and innovative, but

internationally appreciated, approach such as internationally appreciated, approach such as Contemporary Islamic Studies, we cannot only take Contemporary Islamic Studies, we cannot only take part in that discussion, but possibly be among those part in that discussion, but possibly be among those universities that will lead it. universities that will lead it.