GLOBAL WASATIYYAH SUMMIT Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 31 August 2, 2015. Organized by International Institute of Wasatiyyah (IIW) Kuala Lumpur Campus, Malaysia Background: Wasatiyyah (Eng. moderation) is an Arabic term, which refers to individual or group characteristics as being moderate and balanced. It also means an attitude, which is contrary to being in the state of excessiveness and extremism. There have been a number of terminologies associated with Wasatiyyah, as in the English literature, such as moderation, mainstream, intermediacy, middle path, midpoint, reasonable, rational, acceptable, common, and many others. For Muslims, the history of Wasatiyyah is rooted in the Qur an, which describes Muslims as a global community justly balanced. In essence, the application of Wasatiyyah leads to enjoy social justice, freedom, equality, and to seek a middle path among all citizens, regardless of their ethno-religious backgrounds. Rational In today s world, religious tolerance is of utmost importance where individuals need to learn, recognize and understand the religious and racial differences that exist among them while living in peace and harmony. Can moderation be applied as a missing-link to maintain social justice and peaceful coexistence in contemporary societies? This and other questions have been of paramount importance in the minds of many social scientists, intellectuals, policymakers and religious leaders, who felt the increasing calls by religious groups for a greater political role in shaping their own destiny. The Global Wasatiyyah (moderation) Summit aims to address such concerns and challenges, and be a platform through which scholars and researchers can debate multidisciplinary issues, and provide rational policy-oriented recommendations. The Summit s theme will be focused on The Application of Religious Moderation in Contemporary Society. In addition, the Kuala Lumpur s Summit on moderation offers a first-time venue to scholarly examine perceptions and understandings of Wasatiyyah, in the global context. It is an essential and timely needed gathering, both in and outside the Muslim world. This multidisciplinary educational Summit will be organized by The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and its subsidiary the International Institute of Wasatiyyah (IIW).
Objectives: The main objective of the multidisciplinary Global Wasatiyyah Summit or moderation is to initiates a response to the challenges faced by modern societies, and hope to become a "stepping stone" for further intellectual gatherings. Another objective of the Summit is to educate public and policymakers on the role moderation can play in the global level. In specific, the objectives of the Summit are: To create awareness on the importance of moderation and its leading, dynamic and progressive roles in contemporary society. To establish networks with all sectors of learned institutions, Wasatiyyah centres, forums, organizations, associations, and leading personalities, on the global level. To explore recent multidisciplinary researches related to moderation and the rules it plays to unify the un-unified world. To provide a tangible model of global moderation which transcends economic, political, ethnic, linguistic, religious, cultural, and geographical barriers. Summit Theme: The Application of Religious Moderation in Contemporary Society Summit Subthemes: Historical dimensions Philosophical dimensions Sociological dimensions Psychological dimensions Legal dimensions Economical dimensions Political dimensions Medical dimensions Educational Institutions Theological Interpretations International relations Global Conflict Resolutions Social Media and Technology Utilizations Gender Issues Youth Challenges World Religions perspectives Summit Language: The Summit language is English. Paper Format: Paper s format will be posted around the end of January 2015. 2
Registration Fees: USD 300 for participants from outside of Malaysia RM 500 for participants within Malaysia RM 300 for students (with valid student ID from any Malaysian academic institution) RM 200 for IIUM students (with valid student ID) Note: Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Who is expected to attend? The Summit is open, but not limited to, for submissions to scholars in the fields of social sciences and humanities. All intended participants are welcome, particularly members of the academic communities including postgraduate students, policymakers, religious leaders, NGOs, and diplomats. Organizer Organizing Committee: Venue: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Publication: Possible publication of selected peer-refereed papers, presented at the Summit, is planned. Advisor: Prof. Dato Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin Rector Academic Advisor: Prof. M. Kamal Hassan International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) IIUM KL-Campus 3
Secretariat: Prof. Dr. Ahmad F. Yousif Director International Institute of Wasatiyyah (IIW) IIUM KL-Campus No. 26, Persiaran Duta, Taman Duta 50480 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel: +6036207-3500 (DL) Fax: +6036207-3477 e-mail: director.wasatiyyah@iium.edu.my Website: iium.edu.my/wasatiyyah Call for Papers The International Institute of Wasatiyyah (IIW) is delighted to announce the upcoming Global Summit on Wasatiyyah, with a theme on: The Application of Religious Moderation in Contemporary Society. As the first scholarly initiative of its kind, the Summit will examine the phenomenon of religious moderation and its application from within multiple disciplinary perspectives (i.e. historical, philosophical, anthropological, sociological, political, economic, legal and theological, etc.). The Summit provides a platform to examine perceptions and understandings of moderation in global perspective. It is an essential and timely needed scholarly gathering, both in and outside the Muslim world. The main objective of the multidisciplinary Global Summit on moderation is to respond to the challenges faced by modern societies, which may lead to become a "stepping stone" for further research, in addition to educate public policymakers on the role moderation can play in the society. The Organizing Committee of the Summit is welcoming proposals on research topics that examine the application of Wasatiyyah or moderation within an academic discipline framework, related but not limited to humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Submission Information Papers can be submitted through mail or e-mail. Submission of papers should include: 1. Cover page (containing: title, participant s name and institutional affiliation, participant s e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers if available) 2. Abstract (300 words maximum) 3. Biographical statement of participant that describes research interests and recent publications (200 words maximum) 4
4. Please send your particulars directly to Prof. Ahmad Yousif, Director, International Institute of Wasatiyyah (IIW), at director.wasatiyyah@iium.edu.my or to the above Secretariat address. Important dates: November 1, 2014: January 1, 2015: February 1, 2015: July 31- August 2, 2015: Deadline for abstract submission Confirmation of abstract acceptance Deadline for paper submission The Global Wasatiyyah Summit Note: All submissions are subject for evaluation by the academic committee. 5