Call for Papers

Date: April 3-4, 2023

Venue: Online

Abstract Submission Deadline: September 30, 2022

Organizer: University of Chester

The field of Islam and science emerged in the 1970s with the Islamization of the sciences movement. This was led by thinkers such as Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Naquib al-Attas, Ziauddun Sardar, and Ismail al-Faruqi, who were bringing forth various perspectives on how Islam can or should interact with modern science(s).

However, the field has developed significantly since then, with many new thinkers emerging and suggesting different approaches, perspectives, and ideas. There has also been a shift of focus in the science and religion community more widely from a broader discussion about “science” and “religion,” which mostly focuses on how to relate the two at an abstract level, to a science-engaged theology approach, which looks at localized and specific interfaces, e.g. Islam and evolution, at a deeper level. Moreover, more recent scientific developments and applications have raised many questions for Muslims on the ground.

The following is a list of interesting and relevant exemplar questions:

• Does the Islamic tradition prescribe a specific relationship between itself and science?
• Can or should Muslims have their own taxonomy of how to relate Islam and science?
• Should Muslims have a global stance on science, or should there be a shift to more focus on local stances, e.g., Islam and evolution or Islam and quantum physics?
• Should/could science-engaged theology be entertained from an Islamic perspective?
• How do or should Muslims resolve apparent conflicts between Islam and science?
• How are Muslim engagements with science shaped by particular cultural, political and economic contexts?
• How do Muslims experience, and what should they do about, Islamophobia in scientific contexts?
• What are the gendered dimensions of Islam and science?
• How have historical works discussed the relationship between Islam and science?
• Is there a difference between how scholarly communities and the Muslim laity in Western countries think of science in relation to their beliefs?
• How have scientific developments affected Muslim practices and beliefs on the ground? E.g. what did Muslims think of the scientific debates surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations during the pandemic?

More information on: University of Chester