A leading researcher at the University of Aberdeen, whose research into the lives of Muslims in prison gained international exposure, has started a new academic journal on contemporary Islam.
Dr Gabriele Marranci, Lecturer in the Anthropology of Religion, in the University’s School of Divinity and Religious Studies, is the Founding Editor of Contemporary Islam: Dynamics of Muslim Life – the first socio-scientific journal focused on Muslim life.
Focusing on contemporary issues of Islam, the new journal is multidisciplinary, multicultural and provides an international forum for discussion.
Dr Marranci said: “The importance to study and understand Islam and Muslims from a contemporary perspective seems more relevant than ever. There is currently no specific journal that offers a platform for discussion on contemporary aspects of Islam and Muslims.
“This new publication will provide an active forum for the discussion of new ideas, fieldwork experiences, challenging views, and methodological and theoretical approaches to Muslim life.”
The articles in Contemporary Islam: Dynamics of Muslim life will explore the relationship between Islam and its contemporary cultural, material, gender, economic, political, and religious expressions from different socio-scientific perspectives, such as anthropology, sociology, education, politics, international relations, ethnomusicology, arts, film studies, economics, human rights, international law, diaspora minority studies, demography, and ethics.
The journal will also deal with questions concerning the presence of Muslim migrants in the West as well as western-born Muslims, and the continuing active role that Islam plays in their lives.
Dr Marranci added: “The publication also intends to provide insights into the idea of ‘the West’ among Muslims as well as the relationship between Muslim identities and social life. The journal regards Islam as a modern religion in today’s global societies.”
Contemporary Islam: Dynamics of Muslim Life will be of interest to scholars and students in various academic fields related to the world of Islam.
Further information on the journal is available by visiting: www.springer.com/journal/11562 or by calling Dr Gabriele Marranci on: (01224) 273112 or email: g.marranci@abdn.ac.uk