International Center for Law and Religion Studies

The Fifth Annual Conference of the African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS) took place in Rabat, Morocco, from 14 to 17 May 2017. Following the success of conferences in Ghana (2013), South Africa (2014), Namibia (2015) and Ethiopia (2016), this event was a collaboration of ACLARS with the International University of Rabat; the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) of Brigham Young University Law School, United States; and the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ICLARS), Milan, Italy.

Participating in this highly successful event were more than 100 scholars and government and religious leaders from Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon…

G20 Interfaith Forum in Turkey: Religion, Harmony, and Sustainable Development

A Message from the Conference Conveners

Religion plays a major role in global events, touching issues from medical ethics to cross-border conflicts to macroeconomic trends. However, religion can be misunderstood or even overlooked as a factor in world events and, thus, the contributions faith and religion make to social well-being and policies, which impact national and international communities, are often not recognized.

The 2015 G20 Interfaith Forum held in Istanbul 16-18 November. 2015 brought together scholars, lawyers and political leaders, with faith and interfaith leaders from around the world for three days of discussion and dialogue as a substantial contribution to the G20 Economic Summit. The gathering was designed to showcase the scholarly and societal contributions of various faith traditions and philosophies from around the world, and to create opportunities for communication and relationship building and raise the profile of participating communities, groups, and organizations.

Conference Convenors were

Dr. Recep Sentürk, Director, Alliance of Civilizations Institute, Faith Sultan Mehmet University, Turkey
Dr. Brian J. Adams, Director, Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue, Griffith University, Australia
Professor W. Cole Durham, Jr., Director, International Center for Law and Religion Studies

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Religions & Constitutional Transitions, Muslim Mediterranean: “The Pluralistic Moment”

The conference Religions and Constitutional Transitions in the Muslim Mediterranean: “The Pluralistic Moment” was held 3-5 June 2014 at Insubria University in Como, Italy. Co-sponsored by Insubria’s International Center for Religion, Law and Economy in the Mediterranean Area and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, the conference aimed at investigating the role and place of religion in the present constitutional transitions in the Islamic Mediterranean area, paying special attention to experience with rule by Islamic-oriented political parties in recent transitional contexts. The effort was to analyze pressing concerns flowing from increasing pluralism for states, religions, and societies and the consequences for their normative systems….

Islam in the Law: Sharia, Secularism, and Society in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

The Center co-sponsored conference “Islam in the Law: Sharia, Secularism, and Society in the Euro-Mediterranean Region” was held November 7-9, 2013 at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. Welcomes by Dean Nisar Messari of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor T. Jeremy Gunn both of Al Akhawayn, were followed by keynote addresses by Professor Olivier Roy, European University Institute, and Tahir Mahmood, Professor of Eminence & Honorary Chair, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Amity International University.

Other speakers were Professors Cole Durham and James Toronto of Brigham Young University; Professor Gerhard Robbers, University of Trier; Professor Alessandro Ferrari, University of Milan; Professor Blandine Chelini-Pont, University Aix-Marseilles; Professor…

Workshop on Law and Religion in Mediterranean Islam – Como, Italy, 6-8 April 2010

In keeping with its ongoing Islamic initiatives, the International Center for Law and Religion Studies co-sponsored with the Università degli Studi dell’Insubria the international workshop “Law and Religion in Mediterranean Islam” in Como, Italy, from 6-8 April 2010. An important outcome of the workshop will be a book on the conference topic. Attending the conference were Center directors W. Cole Durham, Jr., and Gary B. Doxey, as well as International Advisory Council members Duane and Erlyn Madsen and David and Linda Nearon. Delegates, who were selected for their expertise, delivered reports on law and religion in their countries, and each will contribute a chapter to the book. Experts presenting were Abu Moussa Ramadan (Palestine), Faisal Al Rfouh (Jordan), Jacques El-Hakim (Syria), Gazi Gherairi (Tunisia), Talip Kucukcan (Turkey), Omar El Kadi (Egypt), Riyad Fakhri (Morocco), Cherif Bennadji (Algeria), and Ahmed Gehani (Lybia). Discussion moderaters were Professor Silvio Ferrari (Università degli Studi di Milano), Professor Paolo Branca (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano), and Roberto Mazzola.

During the past year Center representatives have participated in a number of conferences and workshops as part of the Islamic initiative, including important events in Indonesia, Jordan, and Malaysia. For a number of years Center scholars have worked in collaboration with other international scholars to produce the work Islam in Europe, due for publication within the year. Also this year, a major sub-theme for the Seventeenth Annual International Law and Religion Symposium in October will be “Islamic Practice: Differing Experiences.”

Photo Credits: Duane Madsen

Islam and Political-Cultural Europe

Islam and Political-Cultural Europe
W. Cole Durham Jr., David M. Kirkham, Tore Lindholm, eds.
Ashgate 2012

Islam and Political-Cultural Europe identifies the sometimes confusing and often contentious new challenges that arise in daily life and institutions as Islam settles deeper into Europe. Critiquing past and recent assimilation efforts in the fields of education, finance, and security, the contributors offer prospective solutions to diverse contemporary problems. Exploring the interactions…

Islam, Europe and Emerging Legal Issues

Islam, Europe and Emerging Legal Issues
Edited by W. Cole Durham Jr., Rik Torfs, David M. Kirkham, and Christine Scott
Ashgate 2012

Islam, Europe and Emerging Legal Issues brings together vital analysis of the challenges that Europe poses for an expanding Islam and that Islam poses for Europe, within their ever-evolving religious, legal, and social environments. This book gathers some of the best thinking on Islam and the law affecting current and contested issues that can no longer be ignored, particularly…

ICLRS and Central European University Host Budapest Conference on Islam in Europe

Scholars, experts, and students from around the world came together 13-14 June 2008 at Budapest’s Central European University (CEU) to conduct a conference on the topic of “Emerging Legal Issues Involving Islam in Europe (Part II).” These experts included Professors Matthias Rohe (Germany), Jytte Klausen (U.S.-Denmark), Francis Messner (France), Sharyl Cross (U.S.), Supreme Court Justice Karim Pharaon (Jordan), and many others. The conference, sponsored by the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) and CEU’s Department of Legal Studies, marked a follow-up to the 2007 Budapest conference of the same name. Participants examined contributions and challenges of the changing European Islamic dynamic from various perspectives of law, culture and public policy. From devout Muslim scholars to secular academicians, the program…

Workshop “Law and Religion in Mediterranean Islam” – Como, Italy, 6-8 April 2010

In keeping with its ongoing Islamic initiatives, the International Center for Law and Religion Studies co-sponsored with the Università degli Studi dell’Insubria the international workshop “Law and Religion in Mediterranean Islam” in Como, Italy, from 6-8 April 2010. An important outcome of the workshop will be a book on the conference topic. Attending the conference were Center directors W. Cole Durham, Jr., and Gary B. Doxey, as well as International Advisory Council members Duane and Erlyn Madsen and David and Linda Nearon. Delegates, who were selected for their expertise, delivered reports on law and religion in their countries, and each will contribute a chapter to the book. Experts presenting were Abu Moussa Ramadan (Palestine), Faisal Al Rfouh (Jordan), Jacques El-Hakim (Syria), Gazi Gherairi (Tunisia), Talip Kucukcan (Turkey), Omar El Kadi (Egypt), Riyad Fakhri (Morocco), Cherif Bennadji (Algeria), and Ahmed Gehani (Lybia). Discussion…

Islam in Europe

Director: Cole Durham

Participants: David Kirkham and Christine Scott

Sponsor: Sorenson Legacy Foundation

Workshop “Law and Religion in Mediterranean Islam” – Como, Italy, 6-8 April 2010

In keeping with its ongoing Islamic initiatives, the International Center for Law and Religion Studies co-sponsored with the Università degli Studi dell’Insubria the international workshop “Law and Religion in Mediterranean Islam” in Como, Italy, from 6-8 April 2010. An important outcome of the workshop will be a book on the conference topic. Attending the conference were Center directors W. Cole Durham, Jr., and Gary B. Doxey, as well as International Advisory Council members Duane and Erlyn Madsen and David and Linda Nearon. Delegates, who were selected for their expertise, delivered reports on law and religion in their countries, and each will contribute a chapter to the book. Experts presenting were Abu Moussa Ramadan (Palestine), Faisal Al Rfouh (Jordan), Jacques El-Hakim (Syria), Gazi Gherairi (Tunisia), Talip Kucukcan (Turkey), Omar El Kadi (Egypt), Riyad Fakhri (Morocco), Cherif Bennadji (Algeria), and Ahmed Gehani (Lybia). Discussion moderaters were Professor Silvio Ferrari (Università degli Studi di Milano), Professor Paolo Branca (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano), and Roberto Mazzola.