Qajar religion conference, UK
Papers relating to religious minorities in Qajar Iran are
particularly encouraged
Call For Papers Religion and Society in Qajar Iran A Three Day Conference
4th-6th September 2000 to be held at Clifton Hill House, University of
Bristol, Bristol, UK
This three-day conference is convened by the British Institute of Persian
Studies, in conjunction with the Iran Heritage Foundation. It forms the
culmination of the ÒReligion and Society in Qajar IranÓ
project, which has been operating since 1996, providing grants for scholars
researching religion during the Qajar period. It also follows on from
the conference ÒThe Qajar Epoch: Art, Architecture and CultureÓ
held in September 1999 in London.
During the Qajar period (1785-1925), Iran was transformed from a traditional
monarchy into a constitutional state. These political changes were paralleled
by changes in society and culture, as Iranians, in varying degrees, came
under the influence of western ideas and technology. These changes in
politics, society and culture could not but impact on religious life,
and the Qajar period experienced a number of religious movements, both
orthodox and heterodox, which at times brought the country near to collapse.
There were developments also within the religious institution, as the
religious elite (the ulama) embarked on a series of revisions of Shi'ite
thought, some of which survived to become influential in the twentieth
century. This conference is an opportunity for scholars studying these
areas to present and discuss their research.
Paper proposals should be in the form of abstracts of not more than
300 words, and proposals on the following areas are particularly encouraged:
Sociological Aspects of Religion in 19th Century Iran Folk and Popular
Religious Practice during the Qajar Period Developments in religious thought
amongst the ShiÕite ulama The relationship between the religious
hierarchy and the Qajar state Studies in religious texts Mysticism and
Philosophy (both historical and textual studies) The experience of non-ShiÕa
religious minorities in the Qajar period The impact of western thought
on religious ideas in Qajar Iran Religious expression through art and architecture
Abstracts should be sent to:
Dr Robert Gleave (conference co-ordinator)
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
BRISTOL, BS8 1TB
United Kingdom
Fax: +44 (0)117 929 7850
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 8168
e.mail: r.m.gleave@bristol.ac.uk
website: www.britac.ac.uk/institutes/bips/page6.html
Closing date for abstracts: 31 March 2000 Authors of selected papers
will be notified by the end of April 2000. Interested parties who are not
giving papers will also be welcome to attend.
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