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Law, Governance and Civil Society
Research Aims and Methods
Research in the area of law in Muslim contexts by the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) takes a comparative approach across various Muslim and non-Muslim contexts and time periods. A key element of this research is that it applies the methodologies of the social sciences to both past and present legal contexts. Due to a general lack of anthropological and sociological works in the field, research has an inter-disciplinary orientation.
Research in law at AKU-ISMC focuses on the idea of law in Muslim contexts rather than Islamic law. The aim of this perspective is to promote the possible study of commercial, criminal, international and other branches of law.
AKU-ISMC's engagement with law in Muslim contexts has, to date, related to two interrelated fields – law and gender, and law and poverty.
Seminar on Governance and Development
On the 7th of March 2008 AKU-ISMC, in collaboration with the London Middle East Institute at SOAS, hosted a Seminar on Governance and Development, as one of several academic events in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan, the Chancellor the University.
Held at the Ismaili Centre, London, the Seminar explored and analysed a range of development models across countries and regions which reflect a variety of socioeconomic, political and cultural realities. In particular, the seminar explored regions such as China, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
Beginning with a panel which explored the China 'model' of economic development, the second panel focused on development models from Muslim contexts. The Seminar concluded with a panel which discussed the role of governance in the context of development.
For more information about the Seminar on Governance and Development, including a Seminar summary, speaker profiles, abstracts and online resources, please click here.
International Workshop - Law in Muslim Contexts
The first initiative of the Institute in the field of law was a two-day international workshop titled Law in Muslim Contexts, held from 17th to 18th November 2005 in London.
AKU-ISMC is planning to develop a research agenda in key areas of concern to contemporary Muslim contexts, one of which will be law. The aim of the workshop, consequently, was to deliberate upon the future involvement of the Institute in this area of study. In particular the focus of the workshop was on generating ideas for research programmes that the Institute might contribute.
The workshop was attended by scholars working on various aspects of law in Muslim contexts with participants from a number of countries including: Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Norway, UK, USA and Yemen.
To view the workshop summary, please click here  .
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