Georgetown Conference on Alternative Perspectives of the Gülen Movement


CALL FOR PAPERS
ISLAM IN THE AGE OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES:
Alternative Perspectives of the Gülen Movement
October 17 – 18, 2008
Georgetown University

Conference Website

Georgetown University President’s Office, Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, The Institute of Turkish Studies, and Rumi Forum would like to invite you to participate in a conference that explores alternative perspectives of the Gülen Movement within the larger framework of Islam in the Age of Global Challenges. The conference will take place at the Georgetown University on October 17 – 18, 2008.

We encourage both papers examining Fethullah Gülen’s thought directly as well as those relating tangentially to issues central to his approach to Islam in the modern world as an instrument of peace. We also seek articles that consider the impact the Gülen Movement’s approach to global issues especially pertaining to themes and issues listed below. We encourage those submitting proposals to consider our theme/s in a variety of ways including, but not limited to:

• Education
• Charity organizations and eradicating poverty
• Preserving the Environment
• Social capital; democracy and human rights
• Women
• Spirituality
• Youth
• Family
• Dealing with ethnic and religious conflict
• Alienation
• Nationalism
• Countering terror, radicalism and violence
• The role and impact of Fethullah Gülen
• The Gülen movement and traditional Islam/reconciliation of Islamic tradition and modernity
• Immigration/Forced immigration

While we expect proposals for papers and panels to be located within the broad problematic of “Islam in the Age of Global Challenges: Alternative Perspectives of the Gülen Movement,” they need not be limited to the questions and themes listed above. We welcome analysis of a broad range of issues and case studies, disciplinary and interdisciplinary reflections. We also welcome contributions discussing material relevant to the Gülen Movement’s practices that would serve as conflict resolution-case studies across the globe.

Individual Paper Proposals:
We invite individual paper proposals of 350-400 words for a 20-minute conference presentation. Please include full name, institutional affiliation, title, phone number and email address with your proposal.
Please send or submit abstracts of 350-400 words with the subject line, Gülen Conference Abstract, by April 1, 2008.
E-mail address: coordinator@gulenconference.us. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Panel Proposals:
We also encourage panel submissions (of three papers per panel totaling 90 minutes). Each panel should include 3 presenters and the name of the panel organizer. No presentation to exceed 20 minutes in length and no panel to exceed 90 minutes. Please include a brief description of the panel as well as individual abstracts for each of the papers. Panel paper proposals should be sent together, and should be accompanied by a rationale for why these papers are grouped together as well as a panel title (as it is to appear on the program).

Panel proposals should be sent to coordinator@gulenconference.us by April 1, 2008. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please include full name, institutional affiliation, title, phone number and email address with your panel proposal. Notifications of acceptance will be made by April 30, 2008.
Citations should conform to one of the major styles ,i.e. the Chicago Manual of Style, MLA or APA. A bibliography should appear at the end of the abstract.
Travel grants and accommodations are available for all presenters.
There will be a $400.00 honorarium for the presenters.