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Welcome
On behalf of Charles Sturt University’s Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and ISRA – Islamic
Sciences and Research Academy of Australia – I invite your organisation to join with us in sponsoring
the inaugural Australasian Conference on Islam to be held from 25 -26 November 2013 at the
Novotel Parramatta, New South Wales.
The theme of the first conference “Muslim Identity Formation in Religiously Diverse Societies” is
chosen specifically to address the identity issue of Muslim youth in Australia and in contemporary
societies, particularly how this identity forms at present time and how it is likely to shape in the near
future, which is at the heart of the problems associated with Muslim youth in Australia. Especially
the interplay between religion (Islam) and cultural environment (Australian, ethnic and family) in
shaping identity is important. If we could understand this phenomenon better, we could help
address the issues related to the youth and consequently suggest better programs and services for
community organisations and government agencies.
This is the first time a regional Academic conference on Islam will be held in Sydney. It aims to make
an academic contribution to the study and understanding of Islam as a faith tradition and a
contemporary religious and social relation in a globalised and multifaith world. It will bring together
local Australian as well as international academics specialising in the Islamic disciplines and social
sciences. The Australasian focus seeks to cross pollinate scholarship within the region and set a stage
to critically examine and explore issues common to the whole region.
So, join us and take up this unique opportunity to showcase your organisation and its services at this
globally important event that promises to be the pre-eminent Islamic academic conference our
region. Our conference organising chairperson; Dr Derya Iner [email protected], will be delighted to
provide you with further details or answer any questions on the conference.
Mehmet Ozalp
Director
Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation
Charles Sturt University
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Steering committee
Dr Derya Iner
Chair Person of the Conference, Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC), Charles Sturt
University
Prof Ross Chambers
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic, Charles Sturt University
Emeritus Prof Terry Lovat
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education & Arts), University of Newcastle
Mr Mehmet Ozalp
Director of Centre for Islamic studies and Civilisation (CISAC), Charles Sturt University
Prof Kevin Dunn
Head of the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, University of Western Sydney
Prof Ismail Albayrak
Fethullah Gulen Chair in the Study of Islam and Muslim-Catholic Relations, Australian Catholic
University
Dr Salih Yucel
Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies, - Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology, Monash University
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Steering Committee Profiles
Dr Derya Iner
Conference Convenor
Research Fellow & Subject Coordinator
Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation
Charles Sturt University
Dr Derya Iner is research fellow and subject coordinator at the Centre for Islamic Studies and
Civilisation (CISAC) and a visiting scholar in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the
University of Sydney. Dr Iner completed her PhD in cultural studies (major) and gender and
women’s studies (minor) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW), USA. Dr Iner has published
encyclopedia entries, journal and periodical articles, and authored the book The Two Faces of the
Stage, which compares two prominent mystique play writers’ point of views on creation,
existentialism and the Creator. Her recent publication is an entry on Halide Edib Adivar for the
Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Women (Oxford University Press). Dr Iner has recently been
awarded a Faculty of Arts Compact Grant for a project investing young Australian Muslims’ social
identity formation and another grant to convene the Australasia Conference on Islam: Muslim
Identity Formation in Religiously Diverse Societies.
Dr Iner has taken roles in organising international Islam conferences in the United States and
Australia since 2005. The major ones are the International Conference on Islam I and International
Conference on Islam II: Islam in the Age of Globalism, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
and From Dialogue to Collaboration: The Vision of Fethullah Gülen and Muslim-Christian Relations
and Islamophobia: Fear of the Other Conference hosted by Australian Catholic University and
Monash University (2009).
Email: [email protected]
Professor Ross Chambers
Emeritus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Charles Sturt University
Emeritus Prof Ross Chambers retired from Charles Sturt University in 2012. From 2002 to 2012 Prof
Chambers was the university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). Prior to that appointment he
was Dean of the Faculty of Arts at CSU (1992-2002). Prof Chambers helped establish the School of
Theology and the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisations within CSU and also helped lead the
development of the university's programs in inter-faith dialogue. As Dean, Prof Chambers also
successfully establishing CAPPE, the first humanities-based Special Research Centre funded by the
Australian Research Council. As Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Chambers developed participation
strategies for TAFE graduates, indigenous communities, and rural and remote communities. Profd
Chambers is a member of the Advisory Board of the Affinity Intercultural Foundation; chair of the
Council of the Uniting Theological College; and chair of the Board of the Australian Centre for
Christianity and Culture.
Email: [email protected]
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Professor Terry Lovat
Emeritus, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Arts)
University of Newcastle
Prof Terry Lovat was appointed Professor Emeritus in 2011, having retired from the position of Pro
Vice-Chancellor (Education and Arts) and member of the Executive Committee of the University, a
position held since 2001. Prior to that, he was Dean of Education for six years and before that Head
of the Department of Education from 1992. During this lengthy term as a university administrator,
Prof Lovat was also active in professional work and national associations, serving continuously from
1997-2009 on the Board of the Australian Council of Deans of Education, including as president
between 2004 and 2005, and as an executive member of the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and
Humanities from 2006-2009. In 2004, he was appointed by the Federal Minister of Education
Science and Training to the inaugural Board of the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in
Higher Education (later ALTC) and to the National Inquiry into the teaching of literacy. Prof Lovat
now teaches and researches in the disciplines of philosophy, religion and theology in the School of
Humanities and Social Science, as well as with the University's theological partner organisation, the
Broken Bay Institute, Sydney. He is a member of the University's 'Religion in Political Life' research
group.
Prof Lovat remains active in research, research training and publications, having published a
number of academic books (including translations) and over 100 refereed journal articles and book
chapters.
He currently has in excess of 300 Scopus citations and over 1000 Google Scholar citations. Prof
Lovat is currently a Visiting Fellow at the University of Bristol, UK, and Senior Research Fellow in the
Department of Education at the University of Oxford, UK, where he is a member of the Philosophy,
Religion and Education Research Group.
Prof Lovat is also part of the management (steering) committee for the University of Newcastle's
annual Dietrich Bonhoeffer conference and editor of the related journal, The Bonhoeffer Legacy.
His recent conferences in 2013 include Values Education.
Email: [email protected]
Mr Mehmet Ozalp
Head of School/Lecturer
Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC)
Charles Sturt University
Mr Ozalp is the President and Executive Director of CISAC and a lecturer in theology, philosophy
and history. He is also the current Muslim Chaplain in Sydney and Macquarie University, and a
Director on the Board of Gallipoli Mosque. Mr Ozalp is one of the founding Directors of Feza
Foundation, establishing five colleges in NSW, and co-founder of Affinity Intercultural Foundation.
He has developed and written numerous courses on Islamic theology, history and contemporary
issues, including a four year advance course titled Theology of the Quran.
Mr Ozalp has authored two books: 101 Questions You Asked About Islam and Islam in the Modern
World. He has also co-authored Sustained Dialogue: Close Encounters of the Muslim-Christian Kind.
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Mr Ozalp was the recipient of the Australian Muslim Achievement Award for the 2012 Role Model
of the Year.
Mr Ozalp is experienced in organising national and international conferences, and has taken part in
a number of conference organising committees. He has led a number of academic conferences,
such as the Hira Conference (2010_, which included international speakers from Turkey, Jordan and
Egypt. Mr Ozalp also heads the annual Infinite Light Symposium organised by Islamic Sciences and
Research Academy, as well as monthly intellectual. He was the chair for the organising committee
of the Challenging Islamophobia: Towards Social Justice & Inclusion Conference, which was held in
collaboration with numerous NSW universities in 2009.
Email: [email protected]
Professor Kevin Dunn
Head of School
Human Geography and Urban Studies
University of Western Sydney (UWS)
Prof Kevin Dunn became the Head of School and Professor in human geography and urban studies
at UWS in May 2008. He was formerly at the University of NSW (1995-2008) and the University of
Newcastle (1991-1995). His recent book chapters include “Performing Australian nationalisms at
Cronulla”, in Noble, G. (Ed.) Lines in the Sand (Institute of Criminology Press), 76-94 (Chapter 5);
"Public attitudes towards hijab-wearing in Australia", in Dreher, T. and Ho, C. (eds) Beyond the
Hijab Debates: New Conversations on Gender, Race and Religion, (Newcastle, Cambridge Scholars
Press), 31-51 (Chapter 2); and "Contemporary manifestations on racism in Australia", in
Gopalkrishnan N. and Hurriyet B. (Ed.) Racisms in the New World Order: Realities of Culture, Colour
and Identity. His recent books include Landscapes: Ways of Imagining the World (2003) and
Introducing Human Geography: Globalisation, Difference and Inequality (2000).
Prof Dunn's current projects include 'Rethinking multiculturalism/reassessing education", which is
being completed through the Australian Research Council Linkage Project.
Prof Dunn has considerable previous conference organising experience nationally; The 4D National
Conference Diversity, Disadvantage, Discrimination, Development Activating Human Rights,
Cultivating Diversity and Forging a National Identity, University of Western Sydney, 17-18 July 2013;
The National Social Cohesion Conference: Enrichment through a socially inclusive society:
challenges in 2011; and The National Social Cohesion Conference: Challenging Islamophobia:
towards social justice and inclusion, University of Sydney, 19-21 July 2009.
Email: [email protected]
Professor Ismail Albayrak
Head of the Fethullah Gulen Chair
Australian Catholic University
In November 2008 Prof Ismail Albayrak was appointed to the newly established Fethullah Gülen
Chair in the Study of Islam and Muslim-Catholic Relations at the Australian Catholic University. Prof
Albayrak completed his PhD studies in Qur’anic narrative and Isrâ’îliyyât in Western scholarship and
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in classical exegesis at the University of Leeds. Prof Albayrak's recent books among his publications
are Mastering Knowledge in Modern Times: Fethullah Gülen as an Islamic Scholar., Fethullah
Gulen's Approach to the Quranic Exegesis. He has successfully collaborated towards enriching
academic society with cross cultural awareness and religious enlightenment in seminars delivered
in academic and interfaith dialogue platforms. His interest field is classical and moderns exegesis,
contemporary Muslim communities and interfaith dialogue.
Prof Albayrak has participated in and organised many national and international conferences in the
US, Germany, London, Turkey and Australia. Some of the significant conferences that he organised
are From Dialogue to Collaboration: The Vision of Fethullah Gülen and Muslim-Christian Relations
and Islamophobia: Fear of the Other Conference in 2009 and Oryantalizmi Yeniden Okumak: Batı’da
İslam Çalışmaları/Re-evaluation of Orientalism: Islamic Studies in the West in 2002.
Email: [email protected]
Dr Salih Yucel
Senior Lecturer
Monash University
Dr Salih Yucel is currently a senior lecturer in the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology at
Monash University and is on the advisory board of Islamic Studies at Charles Sturt University. He
completed his Master of Theology at the University of Sydney in 1996 and continued postgraduate
studies in United States. He attained a Doctorate of Ministry from Boston University in 2007. His
doctoral research was about Tibb Nabawi – Medicine of the Prophet.
Dr Yucel has published books and refereed articles in Turkish and English. His books are
Islamofobya:Batida Depresen Hastalik (in Turkish) Paradoks Yayinlari, Istanbul, 2012; The Struggle
of
Ibrahim: Biography of an Australian Muslim, Tughra Books, New Jersey USA, 2010; Prayer and
Healing in Islam, Tughra Books, New Jersey USA, 2010; Iman-i Kamil, Mature Faith by Mustafa
Kemal Bin Omer al-Erzurumi translated to modern Turkish from classical Ottoman scripture,
Ankara, 1982. His current research project is “Memories of early Muslim immigrants in Australia”.
He is also a consultant to Australian Intercultural Society and working on research about how
dialogue can be promoted between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Dr Yucel's organising experience in Boston includes co-founding and directing the Boston Dialogue
Foundation, a community based organisation dedicated to fostering interfaith and intercultural
dialogue between Muslims and the greater Boston community. He also presented various refereed
presentations at many conferences and seminars. His contributions as keynote speaker in the US
continued with Dialogue: The Way of Civilization. Dr Yucel has given presentations promoting multifaith and cultural peace and reconciliation of humanity in Pakistan, Jakarta, Malaysia, Japan, India,
Australia and at the Parliament of World Religions.
Email: [email protected]
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Conference Program
Day 1
Monday 25 November 2013
08:30 Registrations
09:00 MC Welcome
09:05 Official Opening
Victor Dominello MP – NSW Minister for Communities and Citizenship
09:10 CSU Official Welcome
Mr Lawrie Willett AO – Chancellor, Charles Sturt University
09:15 Keynote Address
Prof Riaz Hassan – Flinders University, SA
Muslim Identity: One or Many?
Session 1
10:15
Social and Religious Foundations of Muslim Identity
Chair: A/Prof Christine Inglis
Mr Mehmet Ozalp – Charles Sturt University, NSW
Islamic Identity Threshold: Emerging Australian Muslim Identity
Haji Mohammad Alami Musa (President of Religious Affairs in Singapore) – Nanyang
Technological University
Religious and Social Foundation of Singaporean Muslim Identity
Session 2A
11:45
Indigenous Muslims
Chair: Prof Ross Chambers
A/Prof Adam Possamai – University of
Western Sydney
Islam: A New Religious Vehicle for
Aboriginal Self-empowerment in
Australia
Dr Asmi Wood – Australian National
University, ACT
Abrahamic Faiths and Indigenous
Australian Spiritual Traditions:
Evolving Identity
Dr John Paget – Charles Sturt University,
NSW
Indigenous Prisoners: Conversions to
Islam - Issue or Another Moral Panic?
Session 2B
11:15 Morning tea
Interfaith Dialogue and Muslim
Identity Formation
Chair: Prof Kevin Dunn
Prof James Haire – Charles Sturt
University, NSW
Religious Identity formation: The case of
Muslims and Christians in Eastern
Indonesia
Prof Terry Lovat – University of
Newcastle, NSW
Abraham, Ishmael and Palestine:
Common & Conflicting Theologies in the
Abrahamic Religions
Dr Afis A Oladosu – University of
Ibadan, Nigeria
This Land Belongs to Us: Theorising
Religious Diversity in the Contemporary
Muslim World
13:00 Lunch break
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Australian Muslim Identity I: HomeGrown Muslims
Chair: Prof James Haire
Prof Kevin Dunn – University of Western
Sydney, NSW
Ordinary Australian Muslims’ Senses of
Belonging and Identity
Mrs Rachel Woodlock – Monash
University, VIC
A Descriptive Analysis of Public and
Private Religiosity amongst a Group of
Australian Muslims Living in Victoria and
New South Wales
Ms Husnia Underabi– University of
Western Sydney, NSW
Afghan Australians and their connection
to former homeland
Session 3B
Session 3A
14:00
Gender Roles and Muslim Identity
Chair: Dr Nahid A Kabir
Dr Mahmudul Hasan – International
Islamic University Malaysia
Gendered Migrant Experiences and
Multiple Identities of Muslim Women in
Leila Abulela’s Minaret and Shelina
Janmohamed’s Love in a Headscarf
Mr Rachmad Hidayat – Monash
University, VIC
Negotiating Family Practice,
Negotiating Manhood
Mrs Silma Ihram – Charles Sturt
University, NSW
The Role of Imams in the Decision
Making Stage of Australian Muslim
Women’s Employment
15:15 Afternoon tea
Session 4
15:45
Religiously Diverse Societies I: Western Muslim Identity
Chair: Prof Ömer Çaha
Dr Branislav Radeljic – University of East London, UK
Who is the European Identity Talk Really for?
Dr Nahid A Kabir – University of South Australia, SA
Muslim Identity Formation in the West: The Case of Australian, British and American
Muslims
A/Prof Sara N Amin – McGill University, Canada
Dissent and New Diversities in Muslim Identity Discourses in the Wake of 9/11 in Canada
and the United States
17:00 Vote of Thanks and Conclusion
Dr Derya Iner – Conference Convenor, Charles Sturt University
Day 1 Ends
18:30 Conference Dinner (by Registration)
Novotel Hotel Atrium
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Conference Program
Day 2
Tuesday 26 November 2013
08:30 Registrations
09:00 UWS Official Welcome
Prof Jan Reid– Vice-Chancellor, University of Western Sydney
Social and Religious Foundations of Muslim Identity Formation II
Chair: A/Prof Margaret Woodward
Dr Recep Dogan – Charles Sturt University, NSW
Islamic Theological Foundations of Human Being’s Identity
Prof Greg Barton – Monash University, VIC
Understanding the Dynamics of Home-grown Identity Formation for Australian Muslims
in a Global Context
Mr Aftab A Malik– Centre for Ethnicity and Culture at the University of Birmingham, UK
Muslims in Sydney: Reflections from a British Muslim
10:20 Morning tea
Session 1
09:05
Political and Social Islamic Discourse:
Radicalisation vs. Universalisation
Chair: Prof Greg Barton
Dr Halim Rane – Griffith University, QLD
Universal Values and the Transformation
of Islamic Political Identity
Dr Joshua M. Roose – University of
Western Sydney, NSW(withdrew)
Islam and Social Engagement by
Australian Muslim Men: Key Interactions
Mrs Dalia Mogahed – Gallup Center for
Muslim Studies, USA (Skype
Presentation)
Muslim Americans
Session 2B
Session 2A
10:50
Religiously Diverse Societies II: AsiaPacific Muslim Identity
Chair: Prof Riaz Hassan
Dr Nor A Kamri & Siti F Ramlan –
University of Malaya, Malaysia
Restoring Muslim Identity through
Islamic Work Ethics
Dr Sven Alexander Schottmann – La
Trobe University, VIC
Melayu Down Under: Ethnic and
Religious Identity among Singaporean
Malay Migrants in Melbourne
Prof Mohammad H bin Adnan –
University Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
(Skype Presentation)
Malaysia as a Progressive Islamic
Nation within the Context of the
Government Malaysia and National
Transformation Program
12:05 Lunch break
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Australian Muslim Identity II: Youth and
Religiosity
Chair: A/Prof Sara N Amin
A/Prof Christine Inglis – University of
Sydney, NSW
Muslim Youth in Australia and Europe
Dr Derya Iner – Charles Sturt University,
NSW
Home-grown Practicing Australian
Muslims’ Religiosity and its Role in
Developing Sense of Belonging to
Australia
Dr Seyed Sheriffdeen – Victoria
University, VIC
Generational Transition: Young
Australia-born Muslims Religious
Identity Formation in Comparison to
That of Their Parents
Session 3B
Session 3A
13:00
Islamic Law and Ethics on Muslim
Identity
Chair: Dr Branislav Radeljic
Dr Ghena Krayem–University of
Sydney, NSW
To recognise or not to recognise? Legal
Pluralism and Shariah in a multicultural
context
Mr David Drennan – University of
Sydney, NSW
Muslim Minority Jurisprudence and the
Place of Islamic Law in a Globalised
World
Mrs Rawaa El Ayoubi Gebara– Charles
Sturt University, NSW
Identity Formation of Muslim Woman in
Australia
14:15 Afternoon tea
Session 4
14:45
16:00
Islamic Movements and Collective Identities
Chair: Mr Mehmet Ozalp
Prof Ömer Çaha – Yildiz Technical University, Turkey
Islam and Civil Society in Turkey: The Contribution of Islamic Groups to Social Diversity
and Democratization in post-1980 Turkey
Dr David Tittensor –Deakin University, VIC
Making modern Muslims: The Gülen Movement and the Ideal of Altin Nesil (the Golden
Generation)
Mr Mohammad Ahmad – Charles Sturt University, NSW
The Role of the Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Tariqa in Shaping the Identity of Australian
Muslims
A/Prof Christine Inglis – University of Sydney, NSW
Concluding Remarks
16:20 Vote of Thanks
Mr Mehmet Ozalp – Charles Sturt University, NSW
16:30 Day 2 Ends
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OUR SPONSORS
MCCA is a community based organisation that believes in serving the community. We have
supported various community events with close to 2 million dollars in donations and sponsorships
since we started almost 25 years ago. We are Australia’s biggest Islamic home mortgage brand and
the pioneer of Islamic finance in Australia. We have originated close to $800m in Shariah compliant
home finance. We aim to educate the community, government authorities and other organisations
about Islamic finance to help facilitate the growth of Islamic financing in Australia.
ISRA Medical Services provides quality after hours medical care for all patients across most parts of
Sydney. Instead of spending long hours in the waiting room at an overcrowded hospital or medical
centre, you now have a convenient choice. You can wait in the peace and safety of your own home
and have a qualified doctor visit you for any general medical consultation. It’s exactly like going to a
medical centre or hospital, but the doctor comes to you. All this is bulk billed, meaning this service is
available for everyone with a Medicare Card. Available weekdays from 6pm to 8am and from 12pm
Saturday until 8am Monday. Phone: 1300 GET DOC (1300 438 362)
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12
Speakers
Prof Dato' Mohd. Hamdan Bin Hj. Adnan ............................................................................................. 14
Mr Mohammad Ahmad.......................................................................................................................... 15
A/Prof Sara Nuzhat Amin ...................................................................................................................... 16
Prof Greg Barton ................................................................................................................................... 16
Prof Ömer Çaha .................................................................................................................................... 17
Dr Recep Dogan ................................................................................................................................... 18
Mr David Drennan ................................................................................................................................. 19
Prof Kevin Dunn .................................................................................................................................... 20
Mrs Rawaa El Ayoubi Gebara ............................................................................................................... 21
Rev Prof James Haire ........................................................................................................................... 21
A/Prof Mahmudul Hasan ....................................................................................................................... 22
Prof Riaz Hassan .................................................................................................................................. 22
Mr Rachmad Hidayat ............................................................................................................................ 23
Mrs Silma Ihram .................................................................................................................................... 24
Dr Derya Iner ......................................................................................................................................... 25
A/Prof Christine Inglis ............................................................................................................................ 26
Dr Nahid Afrose Kabir ........................................................................................................................... 26
Dr Nor'azzah Binti Kamri and Siti Fairuz Ramlan ................................................................................. 27
Dr Ghena Krayem ................................................................................................................................. 28
Emeritus Professor Terry Lovat ............................................................................................................ 29
Mr Aftab A Malik .................................................................................................................................... 30
Mrs Dalia Mogahed ............................................................................................................................... 30
Mr Haji Mohammad Alami Musa ........................................................................................................... 31
Dr Afis Ayinde Oladosu ......................................................................................................................... 32
Mr Mehmet Ozalp .................................................................................................................................. 33
Dr John Paget ....................................................................................................................................... 33
A/Prof Adam Possamai ......................................................................................................................... 34
Dr Branislav Radeljic ............................................................................................................................. 35
Dr Halim Rane ....................................................................................................................................... 36
Dr Sven Alexander Schottman .............................................................................................................. 36
Dr Seyed Alavi Sheriffdeen ................................................................................................................... 37
Dr David Tittensor ................................................................................................................................. 38
Ms Husnia Underabi .............................................................................................................................. 39
Dr Asmi Wood ....................................................................................................................................... 39
Mrs Rachel Woodlock ........................................................................................................................... 40
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Prof Dato' Mohd. Hamdan Bin Hj. Adnan
DSNS, PMP, DNS, ANS
Professor in the Faculty of Mass Communication, University of
Technology MARA. University of Malaysia, Sabah Malaysia
Prof Adnan is actively involved in various positions in the field of academic, social, professional and
administrative services, in government departments; social organisations; universities, etc. He has
served as the Head of School. He has served as the commissioner for the National Human Rights
Commission of Malaysia. He has been an independent and non-executive director of Halifax Capital
Bhd since 27 September 2005.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Promoting Malaysia as a progressive Islamic nation within the context of the government’s
1Malaysia and national transformation programme
Abstract:
This paper aims to study the impact of Malaysia’s current government under Prime Minister Najib
Razak to enhance national unity through his 1Malaysia and transformation programme on Islam as
the religion of the Federation. Malaysia has a diverse society, with Islam as the Federation religion.
The Federal Constitution stipulates that other religions can be freely practiced. It declares that it is
illegal to propagate other religions to Muslims and states that Malays must be Muslims. Otherwise,
they lose their indigenous status.
The population of Malaysia is made up of approximately of 50.4% Malays, 23.7% Chinese, 11%
indigenous people, 7.1% Indians and the rest are labelled as others. The world's major religions are
well-represented with 61.4% Islam, 17.8% Buddhism, 9.2% Christianity, 6.3% Hinduism, 1.2%
Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions, 1.4% and 0.7% stating no religion.
About 72% of Malaysians are urbanites. Malays and indigenous people mostly live in in rural areas.
The urbanisation rate is estimated at 2.4% annually. The South China Sea separates two of
Malaysia’s 13 states. Relations between different religious groups are generally tolerant. Christmas,
Chinese New Year, Deepavali and other religious or customary celebrations have been declared
national holidays alongside Islamic holidays. Various groups have been set up to try to promote
religious understanding among the different groups, with religious harmony seen as a priority by
Malaysian politicians. However, certain legal scholars have suggested that the political “equation for
religious and racial harmony” is rather fragile and this “fragility stems largely from the identification of
religion with race.”
The 1Malaysia programme stresses national unity and ethnic tolerance. The 2010 values of
1Malaysia, as articulated by Najib Razak, are perseverance, a culture of excellence, acceptance,
loyalty, education, humility, integrity and meritocracy. He calls for the cabinet, government agencies
and civil servants to more strongly emphasise ethnic harmony, national unity and efficient
governance. Religious tolerance or understanding is not stated. However, the government is noted to
have contributed to the development of other religions apart from Islam, even though the amount may
not be as significant as for the official religion. The Malaysian government has recently improved its
relations with Vatican City.
It is noted that certain groups of Muslims have voiced their fear that the position of Islam as the official
religion may be compromised under the 1Malaysia banner as it is construed to ensure that all
Malaysians will enjoy total equality. This is aggravated by the decision of the Malaysian court to allow
the use of the word “Allah,” which some Muslim scholars feel should be the monopoly of Muslims. The
anxiety is further fuelled when the government made the Hindu Thaipusam celebration a national
public holiday.
This paper attempts to study what the government has done to allay fears and promote Islam among
non-Muslims as a religion of peace, moderation and progress. The methods of study for this paper will
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14
be primary and secondary research. Appropriate officials and religious leaders will be interviewed. It
will also include focus group study. The findings will help to improve understanding of Islam not only
among non-Muslims but also Muslims by formulating an effective public relations strategy within the
Malaysian context and make the nation a model for a progressive Islamic nation despite its diverse
society.
Mr Mohammad Ahmad
Masters candidate
Charles Sturt University
Mohammad is a final year Masters student of Islamic Studies at Charles Sturt University. His main
topic of interest is identity and Muslim integration into Western cultures. He is engaged with the
Muslim youth in his local community through teaching and the ongoing development of the Sunday
school curriculum for the purpose of shaping the identity of Australian Muslim youth. His contributions
have included publications of articles in Australian Muslim magazines.
Title: The role of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order in shaping the identity of Australian Muslims
Abstract:
Human identity reveals itself through many different layers, starting with the personal identity of the
individual to the collective, national and global identities. Often these layers clash due to cultural,
religious and/or social differences causing confusion. As a result, an individual is faced with three
possible directions: assimilation, isolation or the formation of a new identity that is capable of
reconciling the differences and achieving balance. The latter state is most desired and can bring
about great benefits to individuals and society. To closely examine this understanding, Australian
Muslims are used as the subject of this study. Australian Muslims face an identity crisis today, simply
because their prominent identity is Islamic, which is substantially different from the collective
Australian identity that does not relate to Islam, leaving Australian Muslims in a difficult position as
they attempt to reconcile their personal identities with that of the collective Australian identity. While
many Australian values are similar to Islamic values, such as equality, justice and respect, Australian
Muslims are confronted on a daily basis with cultural norms and practices that define the collective
Australian identity but are prohibited in Islam, such as drinking and dating. These clashes can lead to
identity confusion and frustration. In an attempt to explore a working framework to address this and
assist with the formation of an identity that does not need to assimilate nor isolate, it can be
suggested that Islamic spirituality (Sufism) is the bridging initiative. Specifically, through the
naqshbandi haqqani sufi tariqa where followers identify themselves with collective activities, have role
models, mentors and an open dialogue with the Australian public. Being part of such group can assist
with reconciling personal and collective identities for Australian Muslims living in Australia.
15
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A/Prof Sara Nuzhat Amin
Assistant Professor, Sociology
Asian University for Women, Canada
A/Prof Amin is currently working on how South Asian migrant workers are negotiating the religious
identities of their host and destination societies. Her research interests are in the areas of migration,
citizenship, collective identity, social movements, political violence and transnationalism. Dr Amin has
also been working with other faculties at the Asian University for Women to advise student research
projects on conflict resolution in Sri Lanka and education in Cambodia. Her previous research projects
include researching how women’s autonomy can be measured, examining terrorist networks,
investigating organisational durability and analysing online social networks.
Email : [email protected]; [email protected]
Title: Dissent and new diversities in Muslim identity discourses in the wake of 9/11 in Canada and the
United States
Abstract:
This paper examines the identity work at the collective level by Canadian and American Muslim
activists since the 11 September 2001 attacks to define, challenge and change what it means to be
Canadian and American Muslims. In particular, this research uses content analysis of newsletters,
press releases, publications, presentations and interviews of North American Muslim actors to
demonstrate the debates among these actors in creating, changing and representing Muslim identity
in North America. In the wake of 9/11 the pre-existing North American Muslim leadership community
saw the emergence of oppositional voices within the Muslim community to their leadership, vision and
understanding. Identities such as progressive, liberal and secular Muslims were mobilised in direct
opposition to pre-existing leaderships. This paper describes and analyses these oppositional
identities, as well as how they impacted the identity work of the pre-existing Muslim actors. The
analysis presented in this paper highlights the dynamics of claims and counter-claims of authenticity,
betrayals, loyalties and legitimacy in shaping collective identity outcomes among American and
Canadian Muslims.
Prof Greg Barton
Herb Feith Research Professor
Faculty of Arts at Monash
Acting Director of the Centre for Islam and the Modern World
(CIMOW)
Deputy UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural
Relations – Asia Pacific
Prof Barton is the Herb Feith Research Professor for the study of Indonesia in the Faculty of Arts at
Monash. His current book projects include: Progressive Islamic thought and social movements in
Indonesia and Turkey. His publications include: Barton, G., 2010, Australia and the Pacific: Indonesia,
in Guide to Islamist Movements, eds Barry Rubin, ME Sharpe, USA, pp. 133-148.
Website: http://www.monash.edu.au/research/people/profiles/profile.html?sid=11729&pid=4317#
summary_hidden
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Title: Understanding the Dynamics of Homegrown Identity Formation for Australian Muslims in a
Global Context
Abstract:
This paper reviews key elements of religious identity formation and processes by which social
environment and social networks shape identity. It does this with particular reference to Australian
Muslims in late 2013, in the wake of the ‘Arab Spring’ and troubling developments in Egypt, Syria and
across the Middle East and North Africa. It explores the ways in which interfaith and intra-faith
dialogue, formal and informal, challenge and extend self-perceptions of identity and influence
contributions to society at home and abroad. It concludes with some reflections on future directions
for dialogue and implications for building social resilience.
Prof Ömer Çaha
Department of Political Science and International Relations
Yildiz Technical University
Istanbul/Turkey
Prof Çaha is currently teaching at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at
Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul. Prof Caha is a well-known scholar in Turkey on nongovernmental organisations and poverty issues. His publications include numerous essays to edited
volumes and academic journals, including Euro Agenda, Journal of Economic and Social Research
and Turkish Journal of International Relations, both in English and Turkish.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Islam and civil society in Turkey: The contribution of Islamic groups to social diversity and
democratisation in post-1980 Turkey
Abstract:
Arguing that there are various factors stimulating a civil society in Islamic theory, my current study will
discuss the role of Islamic groups in the development of civil society in Turkey. My study is composed
of two parts. In the first part there is an emphasis on Islam and civil society. The central thesis of this
part is that there are two stages in the history of Islamic societies. The first stage is the “civil” stage,
which continued at least until the twelfth century. The dominant characteristics of this stage were that
Islamic interpretations and values were produced by the “grass roots” in the society and this brought a
substantial richness, in the sense that many different Islamic interpretations, sections and movements
came to the scene, ranging from the Sufi way of life to philosophy. However, in the second stage
(called the “political” stage in this study), which accompanied the dispersal of Muslims over various
parts of the world and hence the increasing welfare in Islamic world, we see that the centralised
political structures came to the scene. The centralised political structures around the figures of
Sultans or Emirates have led to the backwardness of the Islamic civilisation. In the second part, I will
draw attention to the case of Turkey as a vivid example of state-society relations with respect to the
role of Islam and Islamic groups. Drawing attention to the historical background of state-society
relationships in Turkey, I will specifically emphasise Islamic groups that have contributed to the
democratisation of Turkey in the post-1980 period.
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Dr Recep Dogan
Lecturer Charles Sturt University
Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation
Dr Dogan completed his PhD at Ankara University in the Islamic Studies Department, Philosophy of
Religion. From 1999-2003 he undertook private study of Islamic sciences with the great Muslim
scholar, Sufi master and world renowned M. Fethullah Gulen, the spiritual leader of the hizmet
movement (service), a global peace and education movement. Dr Dogan was the imam of the
Tolerance Foundation in California USA from 2004 to 2011. During this time, he taught various
courses such as Islamic ethics, Islamic law and commentary of the Qur'an. Dr Dogan speaks Turkish,
English, Arabic, Classical Ottoman and (basic) Persian.
Email : [email protected]
Title: The essence and identity of human beings
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to examine the status of humankind in relation to the rest of creation
according to the Qur’ān. It is argued that which makes humankind attain his status is his metaphysical
connection beyond his inherent talents.
To date, scholars from different fields have attempted to define and discuss the existence of the
human race and their presence on earth in order to find a proper meaning for their identity. In Greek
philosophy, sophists put human beings at the centre of their philosophy and produced many
theoretical approaches to identifying his essence; however, these definitions brought many problems
along with them. Since very early on in human history, every monotheist religion has defined human
beings as the best art of God, created with the divine hand with a special capacity different from other
beings.
The proper way to give meaning to humankind should be related to his metaphysical side, rather than
seeing him as a speaking being among the other creatures. The meaning and value of man is his
connection with the metaphysical and the capacity to transcendence nature. In this regard, the Qur’ān
strongly promises an eternity for humankind and invites them to eternal joy and happiness. Being a
candidate for eternal life is evidence of their importance in Islamic theology. With free will and
sufficient capacity, man is able to construct his future, because God does not intervene with his
preferences, rather giving him freedom to the extent even to be unbeliever.
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18
Mr David Drennan
University of Sydney, Arabic and Islamic Studies,
PhD candidate
David is a PhD candidate whose research focuses on the issue of Muslim religious authority in the
modern, globalised word, with a specific focus on the role of the mufti and fatwas in their sociohistorical context. He is also currently a research assistant for the Department of Arabic and Islamic
studies for Sydney University. His contributions to previous conferences include 'The craft of fatwa a
window into contemporary Islamic juristic thought' in Santa Barbara and 'Fatwas, Principle-Based
Jurisprudence and the Post-Madhhab Turn’ in an Annual CILS/NCEIS Islamic Studies Postgraduate
Conference University of Melbourne.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Muslim minority jurisprudence and the place of Islamic law in a globalised world
Abstract:
The latter half of the twentieth century saw unprecedented developments in Muslim migration;
alongside globalisation. This meant that Muslim minority communities were established throughout
Europe, North America and even Australia. How has this impacted the conceptualisation and place of
Islamic law for Muslim minority communities, who are now citizens of these modern Western nation
states? This paper discusses and analyses the methodological approach taken by one of the
preeminent Muslim scholars writing on Muslim minority jurisprudence today, Shaykh Abdallah Bin
Bayyah. It situates his writing, and the predicaments of Muslim minorities, within the wider discussion
of the place of Islamic law in our globalised world.
From the late nineteenth century and especially after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the
institutionalised nature of Islamic law changed. The Islamic legal schools (madhahib) no longer exist
as functioning social and intellectual entities; they only exist in terms of their textual heritage. A major
turn in juristic epistemology has taken place since the mid-twentieth century, away from following a
specific madhab towards using a principled and comparative approach to Islamic law. The norm is
also collective issuing of legal opinions (fatwas), by various national and international councils of
scholars.
The continued work of Shaykh Bin Bayyah falls directly within this purview. He is an independent
scholar, sitting on a number of international Islamic legal bodies, although he also functions in an
individual capacity as a jurisconsult (mufti) and scholar. As this paper shows, his principle-based
approach to engaging the Islamic intellectual heritage and juristic tradition allows him to provide
innovative solutions to the unique problems faced by Muslim minorities. I also argue that this
approach can be increasingly seen outside of the Muslim minority context, and is more widely used to
engage Islamic law in general.
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Prof Kevin Dunn
Head of School of Social Sciences and Psychology, UWS
Professor, Geography and Urban Studies Head of School
Professor in Human Geography and Urban Studies
Prof Dunn was made Head of School and Professor in Human Geography and Urban Studies at the
University of Western Sydney in May 2008. He was formerly at the University of NSW (1995-2008),
and the University of Newcastle (1991-1995). His areas of research include: immigration and
settlement; Islam in Australia; the geographies of racism; and local government and multiculturalism.
He teaches cultural and social geography, migration and urban studies. Recent books include
Landscapes: Ways of Imagining the World (2003) and Introducing Human Geography: Globalisation,
Difference and Inequality (2000).
Email: [email protected]
Title: Ordinary Muslims’ senses of belonging and identity
Abstract:
Over the last decade there has been a rapid expansion of scholarship on the difficulties of Muslims
living within Western countries. On the one hand, Muslims are seen as not “fitting in” and, on the
other, they are being prevented from belonging through mechanisms of social exclusion. This
research will sample the deeper-end of disaffection and reproduce a discourse of non-integration.
There is no compelling empirical evidence in Australia to support the case for widespread
radicalisation (or vulnerability to it) among Muslims, nor is there evidence to suggest widespread
alienation. The University of Western Sydney conducted a survey together with the Islamic Sciences
and Research Academy to collect evidence as to whether incompatibility (radicalisation, etc) and
disaffection is as widespread as the research and inquiries to date infer. The project is anchored
within the emerging scholarship on ‘everyday multiculturalism’ and ‘ordinary cosmopolitanism,’ which
emphasise the everyday unproblematic nature of most cross-cultural encounters in culturally diverse
societies. In September 2011, 345 surveys were completed by ISRA volunteers at Sydney mosques,
Islamic centres and Eid festivals. The results show a very strong sense of belonging and Australian
identity among the Australian Muslim community. Australian Muslims feel comfortable identifying as
both Australian and Muslim. The findings highlight the non-problematic and everyday nature of the
lives of Australian Muslims, with the exception of their high rates of experienced racism.
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20
Mrs Rawaa El Ayoubi Gebara
Board of Directors, ISRA
PhD candidate
Charles Sturt University
Rawaa Gebara is a PhD candidate at Charles Sturt University writing her thesis on “the concept of
Islamic jurisprudence and its relevance on the development of the identity of Muslims in Australia”.
She completed her Masters in Arts with merit (department of Arabic and Islamic studies) at the
University of Sydney. She was awarded distinction for her thesis about “The concept of Shari’a and
the relevance of Islamic jurisprudence to Muslims in Western countries”. She is also an optical
dispenser, member of the Australian Association of Practice Managers and one of the directors of
ISRA.
Email : [email protected]
Title: Identity formation of Muslim woman in Australia
Abstract:
Publication of books on women in Islam has increased dramatically in the last few years. However,
the problems Muslims encounter but also the opportunities enjoyed by many Australian Muslim
women to define their own identities are rarely studied in these publications.
Immigrant Muslim women are often forced to think through and perhaps negotiate their personal
identities. In most-Islamic societies one's identity is given according to the culture of the society as
well as by ideologies fostered by the state itself, or adopted by religion. Despite the challenges that
they have as they come to terms with their own identity, Australian Muslim women see themselves as
Muslims who hold other identities, also as Australians who are part of an Islamic heritage. They
understand that they may choose to make certain compromises in order to be successful and to
preserve their Muslim identity in a modern society. In order to assess this argument, it is necessary to
analyse the following question: What are the challenges that Muslim women have as they come to
terms with their own identity in the Australian context?
However, this issue of mistreated Muslim women is mutli-faceted and therefore, this paper pertains to
demonstrate how Muslim women can hold an Australian identity and be part of an Islamic heritage as
well and examines how women can contribute in especially significant ways in the negotiation of what
it means to be Muslim in the Australian context. And how they can be deeply implicated in changing
the face of Islam as it is seen both within the Muslim communities in Australia, and by non-Muslims
who might otherwise continue to rely on conventional assumptions that Muslim women are by
definition oppressed and backward. This paper will examine this issue by carrying out an inductiveanalysis of the works of major scholars and intellectuals in the field such as Tariq Ramadan, and
Nilüfer Göle.
Rev Prof James Haire
AC KSJ MA PhD DD DLitt DUniv
Executive Director ACC&C
Professor of Theology
Charles Sturt University
Professor James Haire is Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
(ACC&C), Professor of Theology of Charles Sturt University (CSU), and Director of the Public and
Contextual Theology Research Centre (PACT), all based in Canberra. He was awarded a Centenary
Medal in 2003, appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2006, and appointed a
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), Australia's highest honour, in 2013, with the citation: For
eminent service to the community through international leadership in ecumenical and interfaith
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dialogue, the promotion of religious reconciliation, inclusion and peace, and as a theologian.
His numerous published works include journal articles in International Journal of Public Theology—a
Latin Captivity of the Church: Violence and Public Theology in the Asia-Pacific Context
Website: http://www.csu.edu.au/special/accc/about/jhaire
Title: Religious Identity formation: The case of Muslims and Christians in Eastern Indonesia
Abstract: This paper looks at the religious identity formation of Muslims and Christians in the North
Molucca Islands of eastern Indonesia. Forms of the two communities have lived together for periods
over almost six hundred years, mostly in peace but at times in conflict. Currently each community
forms approaching fifty percent of the total population. The paper will look at the theological
interactions of the two faith traditions.
A/Prof Mahmudul Hasan
Department of English
International University of Malaysia
Dr Hasan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English. He organised a recent conference
on Islamisation of English literary studies and was keynote speaker in the program.
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Title: Gendered migrant experiences and multiple identities of Muslim women in Leila Abulela's
Minaret and Shelina Janmohamad's Love in a Head Scarf
Abstract:
Traditional Muslim societies are internally pluralistic, containing multiple groups with different
concepts of Islam and hence may not be construed as monolithic and static. However, when Muslims
migrate to the West in order to settle, they encounter a different mode of plurality and possibility.
While immigrant Muslim men are racked with somewhat unacknowledged exilic anxieties, the
challenge and possibility of Muslim women largely concerns gender and religion. For a group of
Muslim women, the West facilitates a critical interrogation of their feeling of identity vacillation and
creates a useful framework for thinking about their religious observances, which eventually helps
them regain their somewhat lost identity. For many others, it provides a third space in which they can
confidently engage in a reinterpretation of the Islamic texts and thus reclaim an identity that liberates
them from the culturally enacted practices of their country of origin. Based on these theoretical
premises, my paper will analyse the representation of diasporic Muslim women and their multiple
identities in Leila Abulela’s Minaret (2005) and Shelina Janmohamed’s Love in a Headscarf (2009). It
will show how, face to face with possibilities and pitfalls, Muslim women negotiate and determine their
new identities in the metropolis.
Prof Riaz Hassan
ARC Australian Professorial Fellow and Emeritus Professor
Flinders University, South Australia
Department of Sociology
In his academic career spanning over 40 years Prof Hasssan has conducted research in a number of
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22
areas including sociology of housing, sociology of suicide, organisational culture and Muslim
societies. He has recently completed a 10 year multi-country study of Muslim religiosity in which he
explored key aspects of Islamic consciousness. The findings from this study have been published in,
Faithlines: Muslim Conceptions of Islam and Society and Inside Muslim Minds. He is currently
conducting research on Suicide Terrorism: The Use of Life as Weapon and has recently published a
book: Islam and Society: Sociological Explorations (Melbourne University Press, 2013).
Website: http://www.riazhassan.com/
Title: Muslim identity: One or many?
Abstract:
In the paper I argue a case for multiple Muslim identities as an empirical reality. My research shows
that Muslims around the world construct their identity grounded in religion and heritage. The challenge
for Muslim societies is to provide space for the enrichment and growth of all bases/sources of identity.
Mr Rachmad Hidayat
PhD candidate
Monash University
Rachmad is a PhD student at the School of Political and Social Inquiry, Faculty of Arts, Monash
University. He is undertaking a project focusing on Muslim masculinity in Australia. He is a holder of
the Prime Minister Australia Asia Award. He works as a trainer, research assistance and organiser at
institutions working for women's issue in Indonesia.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Negotiating family practise; negotiating manhood
Abstract:
The widely accepted doctrine on marriage and family in Islam determines that men are the leaders
(imam) of the family and requires them to play a role that implies their superiority over women in terms
of rationality, spirituality and religiosity. This doctrine fundamentally contributes to the discourse of
masculinity that reflects men’s dominant gendered religious identity. In many Muslim majority
societies, these discourses are seen as normative and gain social, cultural and political support. But,
how does Islam’s status as a religious minority affect this dominant gendered religious identity in
liberal and increasingly secular Australia? This paper examines issues and challenges faced by
Muslim men in their practice as husbands and fathers, and how they negotiate their status as the
‘imam’ of the family as a minority in Australia. I will further analyse how this negotiation reflects the
construction of masculinity among Muslim men. This area receives little attention in the discussion on
Muslims in Australia. The data was generated from individual interviews and group discussions
involved 20 married Muslim men with South-east Asian background. They hold Australian permanent
residences or citizenship status and lived in Victoria. The study suggests that family serves as a
secure zone to preserve and exercise Islamic associated practices of masculinity among Muslim men.
However, marriage and having a family is not always seen as a luxury of manhood. While insisting on
their status as ‘imam’ of the family, men are pressed to redefine the meaning and negotiate practices
of leadership to cope with the enormous demand for individual freedom and autonomy in the family. I
will also discuss Muslim men’s strategies in dealing with women’s increasingly stronger position in the
family and how this signifies a crisis in their masculinity.
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Mrs Silma Ihram
B.A. Dip. Ed. M. Ed. Admin. M.A. Hons, MACEA, J.P.
President, Australian Muslim Women’s Association
Director Diversity Skills
Silma Ihram is the Director of Diversity Skills Training, a registered training organisation, and the
current President of the Australian Muslim Women's Association. A Muslim convert since 1976, she
has been active in the Muslim community, establishing two Muslims schools over a period of 25
years. She holds a Diploma of Education, a Masters in Educational Administration, a Masters
Honours in Social Research and is currently studying a Masters in Islamic Studies from CSU.
Silma has conducted research on Muslim youth in Sydney, Muslim women converts and is currently
researching what barriers exist to Muslim women’s employment. She was awarded the Centenary
Medal for her work in the community in 2000.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Contextualisation and jurisprudential background of religious advice to Muslim women in
employment
Abstract:
Drawing on evidence from qualitative field research, this article explores the advice that is provided to
Muslim women by religious leaders in relation to employment and the workplace and the scriptural,
socio-cultural sources they rely on. In this context, Muslim women are increasingly seeking
employment and career opportunities in Australia that have not traditionally been available to them
and which present practical difficulties in religious observance, frequently becoming a cause of family
and/or marital conflict. The advice of local imams is influential in resolving these issues. This study is
based on interviews with11 Islamic religious leaders in the Sydney region. This study argues that
many imams rely heavily on overseas cultural ethnic teachings with little reference to the scriptural
sources of Islam or the cultural context of a Western society, resulting in a wide range of opinions,
advice and attitudes towards Muslim women in the workforce. The study illustrates the need for
greater collaboration among imams in their sourcing of scriptural rulings that address gender-related
issues and increased training on the local socio-cultural context and its effects on Muslim women in
Australia.
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24
Dr Derya Iner
Research Fellow & Subject Coordinator
Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation
Charles Sturt University
Dr Derya Iner is research fellow and subject coordinator at the Centre for Islamic Studies and
Civilisation (CISAC) and a visiting scholar in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the
University of Sydney. Dr Iner completed her PhD in cultural studies (major) and gender and women’s
studies (minor) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW), USA. Dr Iner has published
encyclopedia entries, journal and periodical articles, and authored the book The Two Faces of the
Stage, which compares two prominent mystique play writers’ point of views on creation, existentialism
and the Creator. Her recent publication is an entry on Halide Edib Adivar for the Oxford Encyclopedia
of Islam and Women (Oxford University Press). Dr Iner has recently been awarded a Faculty of Arts
Compact Grant for a project investing young Australian Muslims’ social identity formation and another
grant to convene the Australasia Conference on Islam: Muslim Identity Formation in Religiously
Diverse Societies.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Home-grown Practicing Australian Muslims’ Religiosity and its Role in Developing Sense of
Belonging to Australia
Abstract:
The spiritual aspect of Muslim religiosity has been dismissed and mostly taken into consideration from
social engineering point of view and under institutional lenses of the “host” countries. Muslims have
always been scrutinised whether they can adapt to secular, namely “modern”, settings of the host
countries. Global crises, like the Salman Rushdie affair, 9/11, Danish cartons and ongoing political
conflicts of the West with the Middle Eastern countries, have also caused Muslims to be considered
political subjects.
On the other hand, while assessing Muslim religiosity, scholars of social sciences have always
addressed generically produced religiosity tests that were superficially adapted without any reference
to Islamic perceptions of religiosity. As a consequence of socially and politically identified Muslims,
secularly interpreted Muslim mindset and inaccurately measured Muslim religiosity, a considerable
number of the studies on Muslims are unable to reflect (theologically) practicing Muslims’ experience
of living Islam in the Western societies and their means of developing a sense of belonging.
Considering the theological basis of Muslim religiosity and trying to understand the Muslim mindset
fed by Islamic guidelines, this paper analyses how practicing home-grown Muslims of Australia
develop a sense of belonging to Australia along with their Islamic identity.
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A/Prof Christine Inglis
Director of the Multicultural and Migration Research Centre
Department of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Sydney
A/Prof Inglis is Director of the Multicultural and Migration Research Centre and has been associated
with the University of Sydney since 1975. Since 2010 she has been an editor of the highly ranked
journal International Sociology, which is published by SAGE for the International Sociology
Association.
Publications include a book chapter: Inglis, C. (2011). The incorporation of Australian youth in a
multicultural and transnational world. In Michael Clyne and James Jupp (Eds.), Multiculturalism and
integration: a harmonious relationship, (pp. 151-177). Canberra, Australia: ANU E Press.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Muslim youth in Australia and Europe
Abstract:
Results from a major international comparative study of second generation children of immigrants
from different countries in Australia and eight European countries provide the basis for this paper,
which examines the problematic connection between different dimensions of ‘Muslim’ identity among
young people. Among the dimensions considered are identity, religious and social practice, and
values. In exploring these dimensions attention will be paid to the national context as well as the local
community context and the personal characteristics of the young people.
Dr Nahid Afrose Kabir
Senior Research Fellow
University of South Australia
Dr Kabir is a senior research fellow at the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim
Understanding at the University of South Australia. She was a visiting fellow at the Center for Middle
Eastern Studies at Harvard University, USA in 2009–2011. Dr Kabir is the author of Muslims in
Australia: Immigration, Race Relations and Cultural History (London: Routledge 2005), Young British
Muslims: Identity, Culture, Politics and the Media (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press 2010) and
Young American Muslims: Dynamics of Identity (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press 2013). Nahid
Kabir’s current research project is titled “Muslims in India: Identity, Youth, Women and Security”.
Website: http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/staff/homepage.asp?Name=Nahid.Kabir
Email: [email protected]
Title: Muslim identity formation in the West: The case of Australian, British and American Muslims
Abstract:
Young Muslims growing up in the West constantly interact with two environments: their home/ethnic
community and the wider society. Through their home environment and ethnic community they are
influenced by their cultural and religious practices, and through school and work they integrate with
the wider society. Through continuous processes of enculturation and acculturation, they tend to
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26
endorse certain identities.
In my study on young Muslims’ identity in Australia, Britain and America, aged 15 and over, I found
their identities varied. They shifted from single to dual and multiple identities. I also found that identity
formation was a flexible process, and various factors impacted on identity formation. Some
respondents in my study identified themselves with an exclusive Islamic identity, while others
endorsed dual or multiple identities. However, when the participants spoke of their dual or multiple
identities, their Islamic identity was inadvertently sparked when they spoke of issues impacting on
Muslims in general. In this paper I will discuss the factors that impacted on the formation of an
exclusive Muslim identity in the participants in my study. I also discuss the importance of biculturalism
in the formation of Muslim identity.
Dr Nor'azzah Binti Kamri and Siti Fairuz
Ramlan
PhD (USM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Senior Lecturer
University of Malaya,
Dr Kamri is senior lecturer in the Department of Syariah and Management. Recent selected
publications include: Nor Azzah Kamri, Suhaili Sarif & Radhiyah Alimun (2013). Hisbah and
Controlling in Islam A Focus on Ibn Taymiyyah's Views. Readings in Muamalat Management. KL:
YAPEIM (submitted) and Nor Azzah Kamri & Siti Fairuz Ramlan (2013). Ethics, Religiosity and Islamic
Business Organization. Contemporary Issues in Islamic Business Ethics and Norms. UUM Press.
(submitted & accepted)
Website: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9330-2010
Email: [email protected]
Siti Fairuz Ramlan
PhD candidate
Academy of Islamic Studies
University of Malaya
Siti Fairuz Ramlan is a PhD candidate whose thesis focuses on Islamic work ethics. Previous articles
in submission include Ethical behaviour: An exposition within the framework of Islamic work ethic.
Chapters in books include: Ethics, Religiosity and Islamic Business Organisation in 'Contemporary
Issues in Islamic Business Ethics and Norms', 2013 UUM Press, Malaysia. Siti Fairus Ramlan had
extensive speaker experience in conferences in Malaysia in 2012. In a recent conference she
addressed "Religious work ethic in moral delinquency: A solution to misconduct in the workplace".
Email: [email protected]
Title: Restoring Muslim’s identity through Islamic work ethics
Abstract:
The traits of Islamic work ethics have been identified and developed during the golden age of Islam.
However, these traits seem to be declining slowly due to the impact of Western colonialism during the
Ottoman period. As a result, Muslims have alienated their work culture, which leads to the fall of
Islamic civilisation. Although colonialism has long passed, Muslim societies have not been able to rise
from the fall, not until they are willing to revert to Islamic work ethics. Hence, this paper seeks to
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identify possible mechanisms to reinstate and reinforce the traits of Islamic ethics at work. To support
this, an empirical survey has been conducted on 166 employees who serve an Islamic organisation in
Malaysia. Results from the survey indicate the significant of these mechanisms in promoting ethical
work culture, enhancing employees’ commitment to the job, emphasising self-development, and most
importantly, encouraging the fulfilment of the responsibilities towards God and fellow human beings. It
is believed that an ethical work culture will contribute a practical solution to Muslims’ work crisis to
restore the identity of true Muslim employees, as preached by the Quran and the prophetic tradition.
Dr Ghena Krayem
Lecturer
Faculty of Law, University of Sydney
Dr Ghena Krayem is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Sydney. Since 2000, Ghena has
been a legal academic teaching in the areas of constitutional law, public law and legal ethics. She
has researched and published in many areas to do with Islam in Australia, particularly focusing on
Muslim women and Islamic family law. Ghena is a regular commentator on the Muslim community in
Australia and is also a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Title: To recognise or not to recognise? Legal Pluralism and Shariah in a multicultural context
Abstract:
This paper addresses the issue of the application of Shariah or Islamic Law in the family law context
in western liberal democratic countries, most particularly in Australia. It attempts to consider this
controversial issue through the lens of multiculturalism and legal pluralism. Primarily its main
objective is to clarify the arguments that have been made in the recent debates both in Australia and
internationally, which have been both controversial and divisive, debates which have rarely been
informed by any detailed analysis of how Muslim communities in these countries are actually dealing
with family law issues.
The paper presents an original and empirical study of the Muslim community in Australia and the way
in which it resolves family law matters. In particular it documents the informal and unenforceable
community processes that are utilised by Australian Muslims as a means of navigating through the
requirements of both Islamic and Australian family law. Whilst it questions the view that the only
relevant law is that produced by the state, it also recognises the desire of community and religious
leaders to seek ways to integrate these community processes into the official legal framework. This
does not necessarily mean official recognition of shariʿah as this study considers several ways that
this can be achieved without any significant legislative change, although as yet these options have yet
to be fully explored. Thus far from being a call for a separate and parallel legal system, the research
indicates the exact opposite with the more relevant question being – how can the existing family law
system meet the needs of its diverse population? A question that is central to any multicultural state
such as Australia.
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28
Emeritus Professor Terry Lovat
University of Newcastle, Australia & University of Oxford, UK
Prof Terry Lovat was appointed Professor Emeritus in 2011, having retired from the position of Pro
Vice-Chancellor (education and arts) and member of the Executive Committee of the University, a
position held since 2001. Prior to that, he was Dean of Education for six years and before that Head
of the Department of Education from 1992. During this lengthy term as a university administrator, Prof
Lovat was also active in professional work and national associations, serving continuously from 19972009 on the Board of the Australian Council of Deans of Education, including as president between
2004 and 2005, and as an executive member of the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
from 2006-2009. In 2004, he was appointed by the Federal Minister of Education Science and
Training to the inaugural Board of the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
(later ALTC) and to the National Inquiry into the teaching of literacy. Prof Lovat now teaches and
researches in the disciplines of philosophy, religion and theology in the School of Humanities and
Social Science, as well as with the University's theological partner organisation, the Broken Bay
Institute, Sydney. He is a member of the University's 'Religion in Political Life' research group.
Prof Lovat remains active in research, research training and publications, having published a number
of academic books (including translations) and over 100 refereed journal articles and book chapters.
He currently has in excess of 300 Scopus citations and over 1000 Google Scholar citations. Prof
Lovat is currently a Visiting Fellow at the University of Bristol, UK, and Senior Research Fellow in the
Department of Education at the University of Oxford, UK, where he is a member of the Philosophy,
Religion and Education Research Group.
Prof Lovat is also part of the management (steering) committee for the University of Newcastle's
annual Dietrich Bonhoeffer conference and editor of the related journal, The Bonhoeffer Legacy. His
recent conferences in 2013 include Values Education.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Abraham, Ishmael and Palestine: Common and conflicting theologies in the Abrahamic
religions.
Abstract:
The stories of Abraham, his two wives and sons, in Hebrew and Arabic, are shared by Judaism,
Christianity and Islam but in conflicting forms. As textual scholarship around the stories develops, we
gain insight into the theologies that stand to unite but also divide the three religions. Included in these
insights are those pertaining to radicalised forms of Islam in general and the issue of the restoration of
Palestine in particular.
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Mr Aftab A Malik
Visiting Fellow
Centre for Ethnicity and Culture
University of Birmingham, UK
Aftab Malik is a former Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Ethnicity and Culture at the University of
Birmingham and currently a designated “Global Expert” on Muslim affairs for the United Nations’
Alliance of Civilizations. He has been called a “first rate scholar” by John L Esposito, “a rising
intellectual star” by The Muslim World Book Review, an “expert [on] British Islam” by World Defense
Review columnist Abigail Esman and as someone “at the cutting edge of research on Islam and at the
heart of a group of young, emerging Muslim scholars, as well as established Muslim scholars,” by
Professor Philip Lewis at the department of Peace Studies (University of Bradford). Aftab is an
advisory board member for the British Council’s “Our Shared Future” project based in Washington
D.C., which aims to improve the public conversation about Muslims and intercultural relations in the
US and Europe. Currently he is residing in Sydney as the Lebanese Muslim Association’s (LMA)
Scholar in Residence.
Title: Muslims in Sydney: Reflections from a British Muslim
Abstract:
What are the main challenges confronting young Muslims residing in Sydney, and how can the
Australian Muslim community embrace an intellectual framework that is religiously “authentic,” socially
progressive and culturally relevant? What do we mean by the “Islamic tradition” and what other
intellectual religious currents are there competing for authority? Seeking to address these questions,
this lecture draws upon six months fieldwork undertaken this year in Lakemba, Sydney’s unofficial
Muslim capital. The author shall offer his observations into the struggles of young Muslims, the bulk of
which who are children of an immigrant community, and the hurdles they face to determine who they
are amidst a society that is increasingly viewing their faith as alien and hostile.
Mrs Dalia Mogahed
Senior Analyst and Executive Director,
Gallup Center for Muslim Studies
Director, Abu Dhabi Gallup Center
President and CEO
Mogahed Consulting
Dalia Mogahed is President and CEO of Mogahed Consulting, specialising in Muslim societies and
the Middle East. Dalia was the Executive Director of the Gallup Centre for Muslim Studies (2006 2012). She was selected as an advisor by US President Barack Obama for the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Neighbourhood Partnerships which forms partnerships between government and
non-profit organizations.
Dalia Mogahed is a board member and leader for several organisations, including the World
Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on the Arab World. She has co-authored with Prof John
Esposito the book Who Speaks for Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think.
Website: http://daliamogahed.blogspot.com.au/p/biography.html
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30
Title: Muslim Americans
Abstract:
Muslim Americans are the most diverse faith community in America and boast no majority ethnic
group. They are as likely to be conservative as liberal and span the economic spectrum. What unites
Muslim Americans is their devotion to faith, freedom and their families.
Mr Haji Mohammad Alami Musa
Head of Studies President of MUIS
Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Head of Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies
(SIRR)
S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang
Technological University.
Following his retirement from president of MUIS Islamic Council of Singapore since 2003, Haji
Mohammad Alami will be appointed as one of Singapore's Non-Resident Ambassadors. He has been
appointed Honorary Business Representative of International Enterprise (IE) Singapore for the Middle
East and North Africa for a two-year term commencing 12 September 2013. Haji Mohammad Alami
has also taken the full-time position of Head of Studies in Inter Religious Relations in Plural Societies
(SIRR), a research programme in the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang
Technological University from September 2013.
Haji Mohammad Alami facilitated asatizah or religious leaders to consolidate the Singapore Muslim
identity as an ethos that recognised the Singaporean Muslim way of life within a multi-religious
society, secular state and globalised world. He oversaw the restructuring and continuous refining of
the part-time religious education curriculum.
Haji Mohammad Alami is a keen advocate of interfaith dialogue and understanding and intercommunity bonding in Singapore. The Distinguished Visitor Programme has brought to Singapore
distinguished luminaries like the late Sheikh Tantawi, Karen Armstrong and the Archbishop of
Canterbury. Under his watch, the Harmony Centre opened in 2006 to engender a better
understanding of Islam and to promote interfaith dialogue. It has since become an iconic interfaith
institution through flagship programmes, such as the Building Bridges Seminar and the Abdul Aleem
Siddique Memorial Lecture.
Title: Religious and Social Foundation of Singaporean Muslim Identity
Abstract:
The discourse in the seventies till the nineties on issues of Muslim identity relied heavily on materials
written by fundamentalist figures like Abu Ala Maududi, Sayyid Qutub and on ideas of Abdel al
Wahab. Fundamentalism in the Islamic world was then spurred onward by the success of the Iranian
revolution; the victory of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the use of oil wealth to spread Wahabi
teachings. It had the upper-hand in influencing thinking and conduct of Muslims globally.
Nevertheless, the discourse on Muslim identity in multi-cultural societies then, did not gain much
traction as the Muslim public was generally indifferent to it.
Much of the recent scholarly work on issues of Muslim identity in multi-cultural societies does not
come from Muslim countries. The centre of gravity of such Islamic scholarship is shifting away from
centres of Islamic dominance and is moving to Muslim communities in non-Islamic countries. The
current thinking and discourse take into cognizance the unique cultural context, different experiences
of Muslim communities in multi-cultural societies and the non-homogeneous interpretation of Islam(2)
This trend of contextualizing Islam is gaining momentum. We have Muqtader Khan discoursing about
American version of Islam, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf writing about Islam the American way, Tariq
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Ramadan speaking about to be a European Muslim, Tahir Abbas discussing the idea of the British
Muslim and here, Abdullah Saeed talked about living as an Australian practicing Islam.(3)
This paper discusses the idea of the Singaporean Muslim Identity (SMI) based on an understanding
and practice of Islam that are appropriate for a small community of Muslims within the context of a
modern, plural, and secular democracy.
Dr Afis Ayinde Oladosu
BA, MA, PhD (Ibadan)
Senior Lecturer
Acting Head Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
In 2012 Dr Oladosu won a fellowship organised by the West Africa Research Association (WARA)
Boston, United States and the Institute of Maghribi Studies for research into the role of the Sahara in
intra-African relations. His PhD specialised in Middle Eastern and North African studies broadly
defined. He has expertise in Arabic literary writing, cultural criticism, Islamic studies, gender and
global politics. He was one of three African scholars selected by the Bill Gates Foundation in 2007 as
a Fellow for the African Scholars Program hosted by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst,
United States.
Email: [email protected]
Title: "This land belongs to us". Theorising religious diversity in the contemporary Muslim world.
Abstract:
What are the foundations of the Muslim notion of the self (al-dhat) and the society (al-mujtamai), and
how are they reinforced or weakened by the socio-cultural and political flows in the contemporary
period? In other words, how do Muslims go about constructing the other and how does that
construction hark back to their notion of the self and their society? To what extent are certain aspects
of Muslim history, particularly in the classical period, useful as reference points in the construction, at
least theoretically, of the ideal Muslim society in the modern era? How do the trajectories in the
notions of the self and the other in Islamic texts refract in Muslim contexts and how has contemporary
geo-politics in Asia and Africa functioned in opening gaps in traditional notions of the ideal Muslim
society? This paper seeks answers to these and other questions by drawing its discussions from
classical and modern theorists in whose works notions of religious diversity or pluralism are central.
These include but are not limited to al-Mawardi, ibn Taimiyah, ibn Ashur ibn Khaldun, Ali Mazrui and
Tahar Jabir al-Alwani. The paper uses Nigeria and Malaysia where religious pluralism operates at the
core of national discourse as sites of inquiry. It concludes that given the incontrovertible and holistic
evidences provided by the Quran and, contrary to certain reductionist readings of Islamic texts and
Muslim history, the ideal Muslim society, rather than being religiously puritanistic or monocultural,
could indeed be multicultural after all.
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32
Mr Mehmet Ozalp
President and Executive Director CISAC
Head of School Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation
(CISAC)
Charles Sturt University
Mehmet Ozalp is the President and Executive Director of CISAC and a lecturer in theology,
philosophy and history. He is also the current Muslim Chaplain in Sydney and Macquarie University,
and a Director on the Board of Gallipoli Mosque. Mehmet is one of the founding Directors of Feza
Foundation, establishing five colleges in NSW, and co-founder of Affinity Intercultural Foundation. He
has developed and written numerous courses on Islamic theology, history and contemporary issues,
including a four year advance course titled Theology of the Quran.
Mehmet has authored two books: 101 Questions You Asked About Islam and Islam in the Modern
World. He has also co-authored Sustained Dialogue: Close Encounters of the Muslim-Christian Kind.
Ozalp was the recipient of the Australian Muslim Achievement Award for the 2012 Role Model of the
Year.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Islamic identity threshold: Emerging Australian Muslim identity
Abstract:
Is a Muslim identity that can be described as distinctly Australian possible? The answer to this
question is significant for the future of Islam and Muslims not only in Australia but also for other similar
multifaith societies - economically developed, dominant western social norms and values and
comprising a significant Muslim minority population. This paper approaches this question from two
angles. First, it postulates an identity threshold point above which Islamic theology becomes the most
important factor in determining the identity of a Muslim and other factors of influence are relegated to
the background. This postulation locates a possibility spectrum within which development of
Australian Muslim identity can spontaneously emerge. Second, this paper examines recent research
data to test the postulation. Do we have evidence for the emergence of a distinct Australian Muslim
identity, if so what are its characteristics?
Dr John Paget
LLM ENE DPP
Lecturer
Charles Sturt University
Member School of Humanities and Social Sciences Advisory
Panel
Dr John Paget was recently appointed to the position of Inspector of Custodial Services in New South
Wales. Prior to assuming this position, Dr Paget was a consultant to a range of government agencies
and private sector companies involved in immigration, juvenile justice and adult correctional projects
across Australia and New Zealand. Dr Paget is also a lecturer at Charles Sturt University and is a
member of a School of Humanities and Social Sciences Advisory Panel.
Before establishing his consultancy, Dr Paget held senior correctional appointments in New South
Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Dr Paget’s particular research interest has been the implications of human rights legislation and
standards on prison design and on the care and management of prisoners and detainees. His
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research also investigated the impact of design, noise, colour, light and space on various detainee
cohorts, such as those with mental health problems and aged, disabled, women and indigenous
detainees. Dr Paget has visited most prisons in Australia and has extensive exposure to those in the
United States, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, New Zealand and Switzerland.
Dr Paget is a graduate of the Australia National University in Arts, Maktab Turus Angkatan Tentera
Malaysia, Sydney University Law School (Masters of Environmental Law) and Charles Sturt University
(Doctor of Public Policy).
Email: [email protected]
Title: Aboriginal conversions to Islam in prison: Issue or another moral panic?
Abstract:
Over the period 2005-2007, there were several alarmist media reports on two interlinked concerns
about New South Wales correctional centres:

The conversion to Islam of Aboriginal inmates

That the Islam to which these inmates were converting was radical in character and was, in
turn, linked to some of NSW’s most notorious criminals and terrorism.
The reports indicated these concerns were being expressed not only by the senior officers of the
NSW Department of Corrective Services, but also by the Koori Muslim Association and the Redfern
Aboriginal Youth Centre.
What is striking about the alarmist official and media commentaries on these concerns is the poverty
of analysis and the absence of supporting evidence. The substance of the official commentaries is
contradicted by much of the overseas and domestic research literature. The poor quality of analysis is
also reflected in the lack of acknowledgment that religious awakening might be a positive
development for the individuals concerned and those who have to manage them. The reported
comments of Aboriginal inmates “denouncing their Aboriginality” was contested by the nuanced
observations of Stephenson (2008:7) that for many Aboriginal people their identification with Islam
reinforces and complements their ‘true’ Aboriginal identity.
From around 2012, the Department of Corrective Service’s approach to the issue of conversion of
Aboriginal inmates has become more comprehensive, nuanced and inclusive. The agency has
become significantly engaged with Muslim communities, their faith leaders and support organisations
to improve service delivery to and outcomes for Muslim inmates and to equip staff with the necessary
knowledge to participate in this endeavour.
A/Prof Adam Possamai
University of Western Sydney
Religion and Society Research Centre
A/Prof Possamai completed his PhD at La Trobe University and subsequently taught in the
introductory sociology unit. His specialities are the sociology of religion, sociological theory and the
study of popular culture, and he has published widely on these research themes. He is currently the
Co-director of the Religion and Society Research Centre, Associate Professor in Sociology, and the
President for the Sociology of Religion Research Committee from the International Sociological
Association. He is currently involved in the ARC Discovery Project entitled “Testing the limits of postsecularism and multiculturalism in Australia and the USA: Shari’a in the everyday life of Muslim
communities.” Recent publications include Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach with James Henslin
and Alphia Possamai-Inesedy (Pearsons, 2010), Sociology of Religion for Generations X and Y
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34
(Equinox, 2009), Religion and Popular Culture: A Hyper-Real Testament (Peter Lang, 2007), In
Search of New Age Spiritualities (Ashgate, 2005),
Website: http://www.uws.edu.au/religion_and_society/people/researchers/associate_professor_
adam_possamai
Title: Islam: A new religious vehicle for Aboriginal self-empowerment in Australia?
Abstract:
With the debate on public religions and the idea of a post-secular society, Islam has become a
dominant focus of much popular discussion and academic commentary. A new vocabulary has
emerged with reference to 'political Islam', 'radical Islam' and 'fundamentalist Islam'. This presence of
Islam has been explained by reference to its resistance to modernity, the pursuit of empowerment and
self-determination, challenges to Christianity (Westernisation) and the creation of a global Islamic
community (umma). Much of this literature is overtly prejudicial. In Australia, it has been claimed that
Islam is growing through proselytization, especially among the Aboriginal population. This article
explores the diverse historical, political, social and cultural factors that may explain the apparent
growth of Aboriginal conversions to Islam. The assumption that Islam is a new religious identity
among Aboriginal Australians is questioned. The historical evidence demonstrates a well-established
connection between Islam and Aboriginal communities through the early migration of Muslims to
colonial Australia. This historical framework allows us to criticise the negative construction of the
Aboriginal Muslim in the media through the use of statistical information gathered in four Australian
censuses (1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011). Our conclusion is that the Aboriginal Muslim needs to be
understood both in terms of the historical context of colonial Australia and the Aboriginal experience
of social and political marginalisation. Their conversion to Islam represents some degree of cultural
continuity rather than rupture.
Dr Branislav Radeljic
Senior Lecturer
School of Law and Social Sciences (LSS)
University of East London
Dr Radeljic's main research interests focus on the study of European Union politics and the Western
Balkans. In addition to these, he is interested in, and has written about, the presence of Islam in the
EU and its impact on future EU policy making. He has presented and discussed his ideas at
numerous conferences and public lectures across Europe, America and Asia. Outside academia, he
conducts research and provides consultancy services within his area of expertise.
Email: [email protected]
Title: When origins do not matter: The West's young liberal Muslims
Abstract:
This paper examines the attitudes of UK-born young Muslims who describe themselves as liberal.
Based on an extensive qualitative research, the paper argues that these Muslims, although fully
aware of their Muslim background, have a very strong commitment to European society. In this
respect, Islam has become a less relevant element in the process of their integration. Liberal Muslims
are graduates of Western universities where they focus on Western philosophy, European history and
politics of their European homeland. With regard to political activism, as some of them acknowledged,
they are active members in political parties whose programs support greater integration of
immigrants. When it comes to religion, many liberal Muslims maintain that Islam and democracy are
compatible. Based on their European experience, they fully support ideas that invite the non-liberal
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Muslims in Europe to reinterpret Islam – a new interpretation that will help Muslims to be perceived
and judged as European citizens and not as Muslims only, thus based on their democratic identity,
not religion. Accordingly, this paper identifies various problems in relation to the aforementioned
arguments. First, while insisting on Islam and democracy as compatible, liberal Muslims risk their
reputation within their European and origin countries. Second, while the liberals result as the smallest
group of all young Muslims, their invitation to reinterpret and challenge traditional texts represents a
risk for their coexistence with other groups of young Muslims. Finally, the liberal Muslims go even
further in their own alienation by arguing that, once changed in the West, a Europeanised Islam could
affect the whole Islamic culture.
Dr Halim Rane
Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities
Deputy Director, Griffith Islamic Research Unit, Key Centre for
Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance
Dr Rane is Deputy Director of the Griffith Islamic Research Unit and a lecturer at the National Centre
of Excellence in Islamic Studies. He is also an Associate Investigator at the Centre of Excellence in
Policing and Security. His publications include several books on Islam, jihad and the media. His last
publication is a refereed journal article: Rane, H and Ewart, J. (2012). The Framing of Islam and
Muslims in the Tenth Anniversary Coverage of 9/11: Implications for Reconciliation and Moving-On,
Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, pp 1-13. His main research focus is on international relations,
particularly between Islam and the West.
Website: http://www.griffith.edu.au/humanities-languages/social-sciences/teaching-expertise
Title: Universal values and the transformation of Islamic political identity
Abstract:
Since the turn of the century, the political landscape of the Muslim world has been transformed by the
emergence of Islamically-oriented parties that advocate universal values. This phenomenon extends
from South-east Asia to Turkey across North Africa and includes such political parties as Malaysia’s
People’s Justice Party, Indonesia’s Prosperous Justice Party, Pakistan’s Movement for Justice Party,
Turkey’s Justice and Development Party, Tunisia’s En-Nahda Party and Morocco’s Justice and
Development Party. This paper considers the role of social diversity in contributing to the emergence
of these parties and their varying electoral success. It examines the political manifestos of these
parties and the extent to which they appeal to universal values in relation to Islam’s higher objectives.
This paper argues that this phenomenon represents a transformation of political Islam that has
profound implications for Muslim identity and Islam-West relations.
Dr Sven Alexander Schottman
BA (DePaul), MSc (London), PhD (Monash)
(Bundoora)
Dr Schottmann is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Dialogue at La Trobe University in Melbourne,
Australia. His main research interests are South-east Asian and Malaysian politics, culture and
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36
society. He is the author of numerous publications including Conflict, culture and religion in Muslim
Southeast Asia: Negotiating tense pluralisms (co-edited with Joseph Camilleri, Routledge 2013) and
the forthcoming monograph Allah helps those who help themselves: Mahathir Mohamad on Islam,
politics and modernity. Dr Schottmann is the inaugural recipient of the Malaysian government’s
Mahathir Distinguished Fellowship Program and is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute for
Ethnic Studies at the National University of Malaysia. He is also the convener of the annual Muslim
Leadership Program, jointly co-hosted by the Centre for Dialogue and the Islamic Council of Victoria.
Website: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/dialogue
Email: [email protected]
Title: Melayu down under: Ethnic and religious identity among Singaporean Malay migrants in
Melbourne
Abstract:
Australian-based or Australian-trained scholars of South-east Asia have played major roles in helping
understand the emergence of modern conceptions of Malay identity in different parts of the far-flung
Malay world. The works of Anthony Milner, Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Michael Laffan, Clive Kessler,
Joel Kahn and Tony Reid document the dynamic interplay of pre-modern notions of political identity,
European intervention, resurgent Islam, demographic change, anticolonial resistance and Cold Warera geopolitics in the articulation of Melayu or Malay ethno-cultural identity. While the main
geographical reference point of their works has been maritime South-east Asia, many of these
historians, anthropologists and sociologists have also pointed to the importance of student networks
in the Hijaz or the Nile Delta. Some European-based scholars have in recent years produced works
examining aspects of Britain’s Malay community in London or Liverpool (e.g. Tim Bunnell or Johan
Fischer), but despite Australia’s pre-eminent role in studies of the Malay world, little work has been
undertaken on contemporary Malay diasporas in mainland Australia. It seems as if the history of
exchange and interaction between northern Australian Aboriginal nations and ‘Malays’ from across
the Indonesian archipelago is better understood than much more recent flows of Malay migration to
Australia. This paper explores the formation and articulation of ethnic, cultural and religious identities
among Singaporean Malays resident in Melbourne through in-depth interviews and surveys of blogs
and online discussion forums. It focuses on the geographical, cultural and religious links with
Singapore and the wider Malay world as well as with Melbourne’s ethnically diverse Muslim
communities in order to document the evolution and development of a modern diasporic identity,
paying particular attention to intergenerational differences.
Dr Seyed Alavi Sheriffdeen
Head and E-learning Co-ordinator
Ilim College of Australia
Melbourne Victoria
Dr Sheriffdeen is currently the e-learning coordinator and IT domain head at Ilim College of Australia.
He has a Doctorate in Education from Victoria University, which was followed by a Master of
Education from Deakin University, post graduate diplomas in journalism, secondary education and
business computing and a Bachelor of Arts. He graduated from Jamiah Naleemiah (Sri Lanka) where
he studied Arabic and Shariah. He has many years teaching experience in many countries. His
research interests include: Muslim youth in the West, Diaspora communities, Islamic studies and
information technology. He was the former national president of the Federation of Australian Muslim
Students and Youth (FAMSY).
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Title: Generational transition: Case of Australia-born young Muslims’ religious identity formation in
comparison to that of their parents
Abstract:
Identity formation in Muslim youth born in Western countries has become a hot topic since recent
world terror events. The growing number of Australian born Muslim youth (ABMY), and their
significant proportion in total Muslim population compared to overseas born Muslim migrants,
indicates their crucial role in representing Islam and Muslims in Australia. Their national and religious
identities are often portrayed as competing against each other and ABMY are often questioned to
state a binary identity. Within this debate, their religious identity, its significance, factors contributing to
it and generation transitions are often ignored. This paper will explore factors contributing to the
religious identity of ABMY and if a generation transition in religious identity exists. By using examples
of ABMY and parents, this paper will argue that knowledge-based religious learning of ABMY plays a
significant role in shaping their identity. Therefore, traditional religious learning or blindly following
religious traditions may not necessarily have an impact on the religious identity of ABMY.
Dr David Tittensor
Research Fellow
Centre for Citizenship & Globalisation
Deakin University
Dr Tittensor presently is an Honorary Fellow at the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne. He
has a PhD in politics from Monash University where he specialised in Turkish politics and society. For
his dissertation he undertook an ethnographic study of the Turkish transnational education
organisation known as the Gülen movement and is the author of forthcoming book: The House of
Service: The Gülen Movement and Islam's Third Way (Oxford University Press). His other research
interests include Muslim movements, religion and development, and the Middle East.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Making modern Muslims: The Gülen movement and the ideal of Altin Nesil (the golden
generation)
Abstract:
Fethullah Gülen (b.1941-) is a retired Turkish imam who has inspired a transnational education-based
hizmet (service) movement that has seen pious teachers open more than 1000 'secular' schools
around the world. Stirred by the teachings of Said Nursi (b.1876-d.1960) – who argued for marriage of
the physical and religious sciences – Gülen has sought to blend modern education with
spiritual/religious guidance with a view to creating an altin nesil (golden generation) of educated yet
pious Muslims who will re-inject spirituality into the world. As part of the process of developing his
vision of a new generation, Gülen created his own activist theology. He became disenchanted with
conventional textual Islam, which he felt was too legalistic, and Sufism, as it neglected worldly affairs
with its focus on inner spirituality. He sought to find a third way, a middle ground between the two that
allowed for people to be spiritual, but at the same time be engaged with the world around them. This
led him to redefine what it means to undertake hizmet (i.e. more than just giving zakat) and to practice
Sufi principles, such as halwat (seclusion) and riyada (austerity), among others. Although, anyone
who follows Gülen's teachings can undertake hizmet, regardless of their profession, first among them
are the teachers as they are the principal guides for the new generation. Thus, this paper will unpack
how he has updated Islam to meet the demands of modernity and how these revised concepts are
being operationalised by the teachers within the movement.
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38
Ms Husnia Underabi
B.A. Hons. Dip.Ed
PhD Candidate and Casual Academic
School of Social Sciences and Psychology
University of Western Sydney
Husnia Underabi is a PhD candidate in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology at the
University of Western Sydney. Her research project focuses on the nature and dynamics of the
mosques in Sydney. She is also a casual academic involved in teaching a unit called the Geographies
of Social Difference. Husnia considers herself to be an interdisciplinary with interest in Islamic studies,
human geography, sociology and psychology. She has several years of teaching experience in
Australia and the United Arab Emirates. She is passionate about issues of social justice and hopes to
contribute to that cause in her capacity as an academic.
Title: Afghan-Australians and their connection to former homeland
Abstract:
It is hard for tourism to flourish in Afghanistan, a country that has endured decades of death,
destruction and foreign occupation. However, this study establishes that, even for Afghanistan, the
potential for tourism is not bleak if Afghan authorities shift their focus away from mainstream tourism
to disapora tourism. Using a modest number of Afghan-Australians as a case study, this research
finds strong evidence to suggest Afghan diasporas have a high interest in and travel frequently to
Afghanistan. First generation Afghans have a desire to visit the country to restore their sense of pride
and identity that has been crippled by the socio-economic disadvantages they experience in an
environment where they are, in most cases, unable to speak the language fluently. However, the
second generation treat Afghanistan like a special tourist destination where they can learn more about
their heritage and explore the country without exhibiting any significant signs of emotional attachment.
This provides significant evidence to suggest the ‘Afghan’ in Afghan-Australians is relative to the age
at which they arrived in Australia. Afghans who have grown up in Australia or who were born here (the
researcher included) consider Australia to be their home and, in most cases, identify more with simply
being an Australian Muslim.
Dr Asmi Wood
BE LLB (Hons)
Academic Advisor
ANU College of Law
Dr Wood joined NCIS in April 2012 as its Senior Research Fellow and manager of the NCIS Higher
Degree by Research (HDR) student program. He has been an academic advisor to the ANU College
of Law since 2002 and holds a position in the college as Senior Lecturer. Dr Wood gained a Bachelor
of Engineering/Science (BE) from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with
Honours from the Australian National University. He completed his PhD in 2011 and his doctoral
thesis is titled The regulation of the use of force by non-state actors under international law. He is also
a practising barrister and solicitor in the ACT.
Dr Wood received the Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence from the Australian National
University in 2010.
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Before commencing work at the college, Dr Wood worked in private practice and government, both in
Australia and overseas.
Dr Wood’s field of research is the use of force in international law, terrorism, international
humanitarian law, legal ethics, comparative law, jurisprudence and legal interpretation, and
Indigenous peoples and the law. He has contributed papers and submissions to various governmental
agencies on the computer industry, indigenous issues, and issues affecting refugees and asylum
seekers. He is also interested in indigenous music and language, religion and religious studies.
Email: [email protected]
Title: Changing the unjust negative stereotypes on indigenous spirituality
Abstract:
Colonisation has adversely affected the evolution of indigenous spiritual traditions in Australia. The
causes of this negative and destructive trend should be understood so it can be stopped and
reversed. This will not occur until mainstream Australia becomes convinced of the importance of such
an endeavour and arguments to do this must find synergies and analogies within their own dominant
traditions. To do this, indigenous cosmologies and creation stories are compared within the broader
Abrahamic religious landscape, including the Ten Commandments. "Creationist" aspects are then
compared with what in the West is often referred to as the "totemic" system of connection with
animals and the land of one's traditional country; an examination that is done in the context of the
British settlement of the Continent. The analysis concludes that indigenous spiritual values are
congruent with those of the Abrahamic faiths. The morally right thing, however, is for indigenous
spiritualties to be respected as noble in their own right.
Mrs Rachel Woodlock
Academic/Writer
Currently a doctoral candidate, Rachel’s thesis research is part of a broader project looking at the
hopes, aspirations, concerns and worries of Muslim Australians.
Her numerous published books and articles include 'For God's sake: An atheist, a Jew, a Christian
and a Muslim debate religion’. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, 2013. With Jane Caro, Antony
Loewenstein and Simon Smart.
Website: http://www.rachelwoodlock.com
Title: A descriptive analysis of public and private religiosity amongst a group of Australian Muslims
living in Victoria and New South Wales.
Abstract:
The settlement and integration of Australian Muslims have been topics of interest in political debate
as well as academia. Although there has been much research on Muslims’ experiences of cultural
and racial discrimination and prejudice, it is often Islamic religiosity that popular discourse presents as
the central problem impeding Muslim assimilation. Put crudely, if Muslims stop being followers of
Islam, they could become proper Australians.
It follows, then, that understanding Australian Muslims’ religiosity and religious identity is necessary to
either unmask this popular sentiment as being merely Islamophobic, or to discover whether there
really is a problem with religious Muslims in Australia.
The aim of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of Muslim religious practice among a group
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of 600 Muslims over the age of 16 living in New South Wales and Victoria. It seeks to examine
whether and how these Muslims practice Islam privately and publicly, and the effect their religiosity
has on markers for social inclusion. In particular, it focuses on the responses of Australian-born
Muslims in comparison to migrants, males in comparison to females, and converts in comparison to
those raised in Muslim homes.
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Visit our conference website http://islamaustralasia.info
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