Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World

Events

The Alwaleed Centre hosts regular public events, seminars and workshops featuring leading experts from across the world. We try to ensure that all our events are free of charge and accessible to all.

POSTPONED: Sub-Saharan migration in Morocco: between spatial dispersal, bordering and infrapolitical resistance

PLEASE NOTE - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

Campus Connections and Ruptures: Muslim Students in the United States

A special seminar by Dr Shabana Mir (American Islamic College, Chicago)

Islam and the Spice Trade: Towards a New History of Global Commerce

a blue background with a geometric pattern and globe with Arabic lettering on the continents and event title overlaid
An in-person lecture by Professor Joel Blecher (George Washington University) on lesser-known ports and practices of the 15th century spice trade. This event is in collaboration with the Edinburgh Centre for Global History and the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World.

International law, international institutions, and the continuing betrayal of Palestine

A special public lecture by Professor Saul Takahashi (Osaka Jogakuin University and former Deputy Head of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Occupied Palestine).

Inheritance without the Heritage: The Fig Trees and the Ecological Effects of Imaginative Attachments to Fetih (Conquest)

A special seminar by Dr Sertaç Sehlikoglu (University College London) delivered as part of the University of Edinburgh's Social Anthropology Department Seminar Series, co-sponsred by the Alwaleed Centre.

POSTPONED: Postgraduate Masterclass With Dr Sofia El Arabi: Methods and ethics of fieldwork with migrant communities

PLEASE NOTE - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

Book Talk: On Muslim Democracy

Join us for a Book Talk: 'On Muslim Democracy' - a lecture that will explain the current realities of modernity, democracy, and ideology using Tunisia as a case study.

Fakes and Forgeries in the Islamic Art Market: A Study of Two Problematic Pieces of Mina’i Ware

This in-person and online event will explore the ways fake and forgeries present in Islamic ceramic wares in both public and private collections. An academic lecture for those interested in art, culture, Islamic art, cross-cultural exchanges, colonialism and much more.

Can English convey my Islamic experience? Reflecting on the presence of English in the South African madrasa

In this special public seminar, Yasmin Ismail (Leiden University) will discuss her current research exploring the translocal linguistic and ideological entanglements that emerge from the spread of a South-African origin English-language Islamic curriculum. Available to attend in-person and online.

Islamic Art and Science in European Museums

A special Alwaleed Cultural Network event marking UNESCO's International Day of Islamic Art 2023.

Reinventing the Sheikhdom: Clan, Power and Patronage in Mohammed bin Zayed's UAE

Matthew Hedges' expert focus on authoritarian regimes, takes us on a riveting journey exploring Mohammed bin Zayed’s regime and security strategy, illustrating the network of alliances that seek to support his reign and that of his family.

Book Talk: "Nine Quarters Of Jerusalem: A New Biography of the Old City"

Join Matthew Teller writer for the BBC and other global media to explore the countless tales of Jerusalem through the voices of its residents.

Recorded Events

We attempt to record as many of our events as possible so they can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime. Search our audio and video archive of over 100 recorded events exploring a rich variety of themes and subjects.

UNESCO Live Event: Building global partnerships in culture and arts education

The Alwaleed Cultural Network is delighted to be hosing a side event at UNESCO's 'Multistakeholder Dialogue on Culture and Arts Education'

Identity and Aspiration: Chinese Muslims in the Arab Gulf

A special online seminar by Prof Yuting Wang (American University of Sharjah) with a response by Dr Ruslan Yusupov (Harvard University).

"Is there an ‘Islamic world'? A network analysis approach" with Dr Peter S. Henne

In this talk, Professor Peter S. Henne of the University of Vermont will engage with ongoing discourse about whether an “Islamic world”—a unified subset of international relations among Muslims—exists.

Solidarity with the victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake

A night of world music and artistic performances with delicious food, drinks and raffle!

BRAIS 2023 Annual Conference

The Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is the Management Hub for the British Association for Islamic Studies (BRAIS). In this capacity, the Centre organises the BRAIS Annual Conference which, this year, will be hosted by the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, London. The conference will take place on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th May 2023. Online registration for the conference is now possible.

Short Film Screening in aid of Syria/Turkey Earthquake Appeal

SHORT FILM SCREENING IN AID OF SURVIVORS OF THE SYRIA/TURKEY EARTHQUAKE

Studying Global Muslim Mobilities: Approaches and Experiences

You are warmly invited to a special online panel on ways to study Global Muslim Mobilities. We will discuss various approaches in analysing transnationalism, migration, and global interconnectivity of the globalised Muslim World, and how they intersect with issues such as authorities, orthodoxies, identities, nationalities, gender, and social class.

Islamophobia and Lebanon

'Islamophobia and Lebanon: Visibly Muslim Women and Global Coloniality' (I.B. Tauris–Bloomsbury Academic 2023) is the new book by Dr Ali Kassem, and we are delighted to welcome him back to the University of Edinburgh to celebrate its launch. Ali will be joined by discussant Dr Shaira Vadasaria to explore the book's themes.

Narrating the Pilgrimage to Mecca as a Sensational Form

The Alwaleed Centre is excited to host Professor Marjo Buitelaar for a talk on Hajj inspired by her book: Narrating the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Who will explore how for most Muslims who visit Mecca, the pilgrimage is a deeply emotional experience.

Online Book Launch: Understanding Islam by Byran S. Turner

We are delighted to be hosting a special online launch of Professor Bryan S. Turner’s new book Understanding Islam: Positions of Knowledge. Understanding Islam examines the historical development of the debate between science and religion through a sociological lens whilst also questioning how positionality affects the understanding of religion.

Understanding Women's Activism in Iran Through Cinema

A special screening of Mahshad Afshar's documentary 'Women on Both Sides of the Camera' followed by a discussion with the director.

Edinburgh and the World of Islam Walking Tour

An interactive guided walk exploring historical and contemporary connections between Scotland's capital city and the Muslim world.

New Scots: Changing the Narrative Film Screening

Over the past nine months, the Alwaleed Centre's Syrian Futures project and Media Education have worked together with eight young people from Syria to create five short films that celebrate their lives and achievements here in Scotland.

The International Thought of Turkish Islamists: History, Civilisation and Nation

The Alwaleed Centre and the Middle East Research Group at the University of Edinburgh invite you to a special research seminar featuring one of the world's leading experts on Islamist thought in Turkey.

Wajd: Songs of Separation (Film Screening and Discussion)

Join us for a special screening of 'Wajd: Songs of Separation' followed by a discussion featuring Professor Jonathan Shannon and Dr Ezgi Guner. Refreshments will be available before the screening beings.

Events Archive

A full list of past public events delivered by the Alwaleed Centre.