3-7 June 1996
Leiden, the Netherlands
Indonesian-Netherlands Cooperation in Islamic Studies (INIS)

First International Conference on Islam and the 21th Century

The Indonesian-Netherlands Cooperation in Islamic Studies (INIS) has the pleasure to announce that from June 3 - 7 1996 Leiden University will host the first International Conference on Islam and the 21th Century. This conference is the first in a series of three, which focus on recent developments in the Muslim World and in the Muslim communities of Europe. The aim of the first conference is to analyse current tendencies within the framework of globalization, development, and education. It is hoped that the conference will serve as a meeting place for scholars and experts from various disciplines and institutions, and will combine theoretical approaches with practical experiences. The number of participants is expected to be around 100, mainly from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Western Europe.

The three general themes

Islam and the global community:
new interactions between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The last decade of the 20th century is witnessing radical changes in global relations. The regional blocs which were formed in the wake of the Second World War and the ensuing decolonization have either disintegrated or have ceased to function adequately. Once well established ideologies and identities have now often lost their meaning. However, new identities are arising within the context of an unprecedented degree of global exchange. In Southeast Asia and the Middle East Islam plays a vital role in this process, albeit in different ways. On the one hand the two regions are in close communication, but on the other hand the Muslim identity of Southeast Asia is acquiring a more self- reliant position vis-à-vis the Islamic centres in the Middle East. Also in Europe, with its growing number of Muslim citizens, Islam figures prominently in public debates on identity.

Islam and development:
Muslim views on population, resources, and social justice.
The Muslim World contains a great variety of societies and economies, varying from highly developed states with a high per capita income to less developed nations in which a large proportion of the population finds difficulty in satisfying basic needs. During the last few decades a large number of Muslim scholars and experts have expressed their views on the nature of development and North-South relations of dependency. Numerous programmes have been initiated by governments and organizations aimed at solving problems related to poverty, resources, and population pressure. In many instances governments and organizations cooperate with Western counterparts in bilateral, multilateral, and international structures, but more distinct Islamic projects, too, have been initiated, often by Non- Governmental Organizations. Apart from Western aid, Islamic aid is becoming a familiar feature in an increasing number of countries.

Islam and education:
recent developments in the Muslim World and Europe.
Education has always figured prominently in the Islamic tradition. Modern education has expanded rapidly in many parts in the Muslim World during recent decades, and at the same time, religious learning has displayed a remarkable vitality and adaptability. Nonetheless, the demands of modern technology and of world-wide communication press hard on the existing facilities and pose questions about the methods and objectives of educational policies. This has engendered a lively debate on the issue of the cultural and religious identity of educational programmes, not only in the Muslim World, but also in Europe. Muslim communities in Europe have initiated educational programmes which serve their specific interests and needs, and giving ride to a public debate on the constitutional and social framework of religion and education.

For information, please contact:
INIS, Leiden University
Nonnensteeg 1-3
2311 VJ Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-71-527 2419/2416
Fax: +31-71-5272632
E-mail: Projdiv@let.leidenuniv.nl. 





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