[Asia_news] Reminder: IR Seminar - 26 October 2006 @ 12 noon

[Intrel]

REMINDER!!!



Department of International Relations 

Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies

The Australian National University

 

 

Seminar Series 2006

 

Power, Sovereignty, and Territoriality

 

Thursday, 26 October, 12-2pm

 

Seminar Room B

Coombs Building

 

 

 



Muslim Identities in the West



Dr Samina Yasmeen

Political Science and International Relations

The University of Western Australia

 

 

The current emphasis on Islam and Muslims has assumed a direct relationship between religion and identities of Muslims living anywhere in the world. These assumptions are particularly pronounced with reference to Muslims living in western liberal democracies. An attempt to 'understand the minority' , the dominant communities refer to Quranic verses and draw their own conclusions about Muslims. Often these conclusions are couched in a unidimensional portrayal of Muslim identity. The paper argues that these understandings fail to reflect the myriad of influences that shape the identities of Muslims in the west, who manifest these identities through different stands and actions at different times.  These influences range from the developments at the micro level (within the family unit) to the macro level through developments in the international arena.  At the intermediate level, policies and perceptions of the dominant societies and governments also shape the identities of Muslims in the West.  While creating suspicion among some, they also carry the possibility of setting in motion a struggle for representation- or appropriation of an identity as a 'leader'.  These processes have implications for intra-communal relations as well as the relationship between Muslims as representative of a community within the wider liberal democratic societies.


Associate Professor Samina Yasmeen is the Director, Centre for Muslim States and Societies at the University of Western Australia, Perth. She teaches courses on Islam and international politics. She has also worked as Executive Director of the Indian Ocean Centre for Peace Studies at UWA and Curtin Universities (1995), a Research Specialist in Defence at the Legislative Research Service of the Australian Parliament (1985) and Senior Research fellow in a UNESCO-funded project at the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan (1977-79). Dr Yasmeen is a specialist in political and strategic developments in South Asia, and the role of Islam in world politics. She has published articles on the position of Pakistani and Middle Eastern women, the role of Muslims in Australia, and Indo-Pakistan relations. Her current research focuses on the role of Islamic groups in Pakistan's foreign policy. She is a regular commentator on issues relating to Islam, Pakistan and Muslim immigrants in Pakistan on Australian and international media.
 

 

 


Seminar Convenor: Dr Katherine Morton

Inquiries: Ms Amy Chen
Departmental Administrator

Tel: 6125 2166
Email: amy.chen at anu.edu.au


Amy Chen
Departmental Administrator
Department of International Relations
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
Coombs Building #9
Australian National University
CANBERRA  ACT  0200
AUSTRALIA

Tel:  (61 2) 6125 2166
Fax: (61 2) 6125 8010
URL: http://rspas.anu.edu.au/ir

CRICOS Provider: 00120C