Illuminating the latest Muslim societal trends

Fashion, multiculturalism, religious conversion, and burial rights are some of the topics covered in Cardiff University’s Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK’s annual public seminar series.

Combining leading research and local experience, the public seminar series shines a light on the issues and topics affecting Muslims in the UK, and attracts influential speakers from the UK and internationally.

The opening seminar on 1^st February 2017, entitled Liberal Citizenship, Multiculturalism and Muslims in Europe, will see Professor Nasar Meer, Chair in Comparative Citizenship and Social Policy (Strathclyde University) give insights into the current picture for Muslims in both the UK and across Europe.

Author of Interculturalism and Multiculturalism: Debating the Dividing Lines (2016) and Citizenship, Identity and the Politics of Multiculturalism: The Rise of Muslim Consciousness (2015) Professor Nasar Meer was awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Thomas Reid Medal for Excellence in 2016.

The event will also include a report from Citizens Cymru Wales arising from their local community listening exercise, Dignity in Burial, which focuses on the grief of Muslim families who are sometimes unable to bury their loved ones according to Islamic teaching.

Chaired by Citizens-UK Deputy Director Jonathan Cox, the seminar continues with sociological, theological, political, and community perspectives explored through the Dignity in Burial campaign, before an open public debate.

Professor Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Director of the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, part of Cardiff University’s School of History, Archaeology and Religion, said: “In the wake of the Citizens UK Commission on Islam, Participation and Public Life, this timely seminar series will share research, community perspectives and inspire public dialogue on a range of contemporary issues facing Muslims in Britain today.”

Remaining seminar themes include topical subjects such as conversion to Islam in Britain, modest Muslim fashion, and the lives of British Muslim youth.

All events take place at 17:00 in the John Percival Building (room 5.24) with the exception of the opening seminar (1 February, 19:00, Glamorgan Building, Committee Rooms 1 and 2). Lectures are free to attend but advance booking is recommended.

Opened in 2005 the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK pursues high-quality educational initiatives which have local, national, and international impact.

Since 2009, its Annual Public Seminar Series has brought the latest research to its local community in Cardiff, and continues to stream online to thousands of people globally through the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): ‘Muslims in Britain: Changes and Challenges’.

The full list for the 2017 Seminar Series is:

1st Feb Prof. Nasar Meer Liberal citizenship, multiculturalism and Muslims in Europe (19:00, venue: Glamorgan Building, Committee Rooms 1&2)

15th Feb Riyaz Timol (17:00)
Spiritual Wayfarers in a Secular Age: The Tablighi Jama’at in Modern Britain

1st March Prof. Reina Lewis
Modest fashion politics: the challenges of defending choice

15th March Dr Daniel DeHanas
Losing Faith in the State? Muslim Youth Politics in the East End of London

29th March Batool Al-Toma
Conversion to Islam – Impacting the Dynamics of Muslim Communities in Britain?