The need for the Academic Conferences!
As a result of the lack of academic research and material on the subject of Islamicjerusalem and as part of the Academy ongoing programme to become an international platform for the discussion of the studies and issues relating to Islamicjerusalem. It has been decided to initiate an annual conference in the hope of establishing a new frame of reference. The conference aims to provide a forum for scholars working on the subject and all those who wish to enhance their appreciation of any aspect of Islamicjerusalem. Since 1997 ISRA held nineteen successful international Academic conferences on Islamicjerusalem. ISRA will be organising the 22nd Academic conference on Islamicjerusalem in October 2022.
The 22nd International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
Future of Islamicjerusalem: Academic Studies
The Holy Land is one of the dominant areas of political conflicts and cultural colonial aspirations with its privileged position to different religions/nations in terms of its symbolic, epistemological and strategic connotations expressed religiously, culturally and historically. The visions of the future, created through the reconstruction of Islamicjerusalem’s history, demography, cultural memory and sociological foundation, reflects a cultural and intellectual occupation, particularly based on theories that emerged from post-truth arguments, paradigms and concepts. This understanding is supported through academic and cultural studies as it is rationalised and legitimised by so-called scholars. The fact that the legitimation in question has a widespread impact is due to the fact that the scholarly validity of the concepts and theories produced on this subject are not properly investigated nor questioned. Within this context, serious scholarly studies that examines Bayt al-Maqdis’s history, holiness, culture and religious codes, geographical and strategic positions, independent of colonial approaches, have become a necessity in order to protect both global peace and academic credibility. Theoretical and conceptual mobilisation experienced simultaneously with the deepening expansion of the occupation in Bayt al-Maqdis levies a responsibility on scholars who have not lost their ability to critically question and remain free from epistemological slavery. Hence, within this context of awareness and responsibility, we look forward to your valuable scholarly contributions to this international academic conference on the theme of the future of Islamicjerusalem’s Academic Studies which will be organised in Ankara between 21-23 October 2022.
The 18th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
THE AWQAF OF ISLAMICJERUSALEM: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
A century has passed since Western colonialists occupied the land of Islamicjerusalem. During this time occupation forces have exerted all their power to change the identity of the Holy Land and isolate it from its intrinsic history. To achieve this goal, strategies have been implemented, and one of the targets of this strategy, is Muslim and Christian Awqaf or foundations, as they reveal the true identity of the Holy Land, which has accumulated over many centuries of its history.
The 17th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
WESTERN COLONISATION OF ISLAMICJERUSALEM: THE CREATION OF A “BUFFER STATE”
The year 2017 marks the centennial anniversary of the end of Ottoman rule and the start of western colonialist occupation over Islamicjerusalem (8 December 1917) as well as the decision to release the Balfour Declaration by the British War Cabinet (31 October 1917). It also marks fifty Years of Zionist Military Occupation over Al-Aqsa Mosque and the whole of the Holy Land in June 1967. To commemorate these occasions, the 17th Internati-onal Academic Islamicjerusalem conference will be organised.
The 16th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
OTTOMANS & ISLAMICJERUSALEM
The year 2016 marks the quincentennial (500th) anniversary of the start of Ottoman rule over Islamicjerusalem, whereas next year marks the centennial anniversary of the end of their rule over the region. To commemorate these occasions the 16th International Academic Islamicjerusalem conference will be hosted on the eve of the 500th anniversary of the entry of Sultan Selim I. into Al-Aqsa Mosque. The conference took place in the heart of Istanbul, the longest capital of the Ottomans, and was conducted in three languages; Turkish, Arabic and English.
The 15th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“THE ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE CONQUESTS OF ISLAMICJERUSALEM”
The conference concentrated on historical context of the role of knowledge in liberating Islamicjerusalem during the time of Umar and Salahaddin. The papers showed how a culture developed before their conquest around building the importance of this place in the hearts of Muslims. Also the 2nd International Postgraduate Academic Forum took place for another two days workshop discussing a number of issues.
The 14th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“INTRODUCING ISLAMICJERUSALEM STUDIES TO WEST ASIA”
Themed to introduce Islamicjerusalem Studies to West Asia together with the 1st International Academic Forum for Islamicjerusalem Studies. The Conference and the Forum held in Istanbul, Turkey introduced the main dimensions of the field of inquiry, through a number of innovative papers on the field. This is beside the number of workshops held continuously for two full days.
The 13th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“PALESTINE AND ISLAMICJERUSALEM: INTRODUCING ISLAMICJERUSALEM STUDIES TO SOUTH EAST ASIA”
Themed to introduce Islamicjerusalem Studies to South East Asia”. The conference was held at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Malaysia. The conference presented the main dimensions of the field, its development and definitions, the historical, geographical and archaeological dimensions. As well as some new researches and a presentation of a unique collection of photographs of Jerusalem and Palestine.
The 12th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“ORIENTALIST APPROACHES TO ISLAMICJERUSALEM”
Held at Brunei Gallery SOAS – University of London. The conference concentrated on the following themes: Classical Orientalism; Reading, Imagining and Depicting Visual Culture; From the Past to the Present; Neo-Orientalism. A number of papers presented the Zionist Agenda of undermining the importance of Islamicjerusalem.
The 11th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“ISLAMICJERUSALEM: A MODEL FOR MULTICULTURALISM IN THE EARLY MUSLIM PERIOD”
Speakers discussed that during the first Muslim faith (conquest), Muslims established a multicultural society based on plurality and diversity as inherent in core Muslim sources the Caliph ‘Umar implemented this inclusive vision by implementing policies that preserved human dignity and property, thus leading to mutual respect and peaceful coexistence between Christians, Jews and Muslims.
The 10th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“INTRODUCING THE NEW FIELD OF INQUIRY OF ISLAMICJERUSALEM STUDIES TO THE ARAB WORLD”
The first conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies to be organised in the Arab world (Yemen). It presented the main findings of the field, the development and definitions, the geographical and archaeological dimensions. The conference was concluded with issuing Sana’a Declaration for Islamicjerusalem Studies.
The 9th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“MAPPING ISLAMICJERUSALEM: A REDISCOVERY OF GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES”
The theme of the conference concentrated on the geographical dimension of Islamicjerusalem. Speakers from different countries spoke on different aspects of this theme. Discussion on Islamicjerusalem being a large geographical region was presented together with the divine prototype and sacred connections with Makkah. Also the Barakh Circle theory and geographical terminologies of Muslim scholars were presented.
The 8th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“THE CHALLENGES OF ISLAMICJERUSALEM”
The conference focused on the challenging issues presented in Professor El-Awaisi’s latest monograph, Introducing Islamicjerusalem. The conference tackled challenging issue for those in academic, religious, and political establishments who are interested in the region and who may have difficulty accepting this new concept – as it may go beyond their political or religious agenda and attachments. The new concept and definitions and their implications were discussed in detail.
The 7th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“ISLAMICJERUSALEM STUDIES: DEFINITION AND APPROACHES”
This conference was a response to one point stated in the important document produced by the 2004 conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies entitled ‘The Future Development of the New Field of Inquiry of Islamicjerusalem Studies’. Therefore, the 2005 conference was designed to review and explore the development of the new field of inquiry of Islamicjerusalem Studies, looking in particular at the definition along with examining new research on the three interlinked elements of the definition of Islamicjerusalem: its geographical location and boundaries (land), their population (people) and its vision.
The 6th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“THE NEW FIELD OF INQUIRY OF ISLAMCIJERUSALEM STUDIES: BACKGROUND, ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE”
The Conference discussed the establishment of ISRA and its achievements and the introduction of this exciting new field of enquiry. It was attended by various individual from different countries such as Malaysia, Palestine, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the UK. Sir Cyril Townsend, the Honorary President of the Islamic Research Academy (ISRA) said in his opening remarks that he is happy and privileged to be associated with this great project. During the conference different areas on Islamic Jerusalem Studies were discussed: Knowledge and Power; Building Knowledge as well as the Future of Islamic Jerusalem Studies.
The 5th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“PROPHETIC TEMPLES AND AL-AQSA MOSQUE – DEMYSTIFYING REALITIES AND EXPLORING IDENTITES”
This was the fifth time that a conference on Islamic Jerusalem was held by the Islamic Research Academy and the first time it is organised jointly with Centre of Islamicjerusalem Studies. The uniqueness of this conference is that it presented new and innovative theories in Islamic Jerusalem Studies. Speakers gave papers on Biblical and Quranic Archaeology on the idea of the temple and Al-Aqsa Mosque. This is in addition to a paper on the Western Wall and early Muslim accounts and an innovative paper exploring the Identity of Islamic Jerusalem.
The 4th International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“Jerusalem between International Law and Islamic Jurisprudence”
This conference’s theme focused on the Legal and Juristic aspects of Jerusalem in historical and contemporary context. The problematic concept of Sovereignty was discussed as well as International Law and United Nations and the question of Jerusalem. Also proposed options for the final status of Jerusalem.
The 3rd International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“MUSLIM-CHRISTINA RELATIONS IN JERUSALEM: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE”
In the Light of the end of the Millennium and the 900th anniversary of the Crusades. It was a great success with many excellent papers on the theory and practice of dealings between Muslims and Christians from the Muslim conquest, going through to the Crusade and coming to the contemporary period.
The 2nd International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
“THE CENTRALITY OF JERUSALEM IN ISLAM”
Following upon the success of the1997 conference, the Academy organised a second conference on Saturday the 22nd of August 1998 with the theme “The Centrality of Jerusalem in Islam” at the Brunei Gallery of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Discussions centred on the Significance and Excellence of Jerusalem in Islam and to Muslims.
The 1st International Academic Conference on Islamicjerusalem Studies
The 2nd of September 1997 the Academy held its first International Academic Conference in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Many new and stimulating ideas were to be heard from the various speakers at the Conference, and particularly thought provoking were those of the keynote speakers, Professor Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Karen Armstrong.