October 28, 2005 Source: University of Toronto:
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/051028-1751.asp Workshop will gather young Middle East-Islamic scholars Unprecendented academic expansion reflects public interest and anxiety regarding religion in society
Oct 28/05
by Michah Rynor (about) (email) A conference held at U of T’s Munk Centre and Massey College on Friday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 6 will bring together a generation of young international scholars of Islamic and Middle East studies at Canadian universities from across the country. In the last four years there has been an unprecedented expansion at many Canadian universities in the field of Middle East and Islamic studies and Canadian universities have attracted more than 20 new academic hires from Canada, the U.S., the Middle East and Europe. This expansion reflects the growing significance and importance of this field in light of recent immigration from the Middle East, issues regarding the place of religion in Canadian society as well as public interest and anxiety about the nature of Islam. "After Sept. 11, 2001, and again after the bombings in London this summer, this field of expertise has found itself in the limelight of media attention and in high demand to explain, mediate and advocate," says conference co-host Professor Jens Hanssen of the Departments of History and Middle Eastern Civilizations as well as the Department of Historical Studies at UTM. For up-to-date listing on this workshop are posted at http://canmes.concordia.ca. Contact: Professor Jens Hanssen, Department of History, Middle Eastern Civilizations, 416- 978-3143; e-mail: jens.hanssen@utoronto.ca
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