Zoltán Szombathy - Islamic Discourses in a Local Context

CSI Monday Majlis (15th January 2024) with guest speaker Zoltán Szombathy on 'Islamic Discourses in a Local Context: A Traditional Ritual in Eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia'.
________________________________________________________________________

Abstract:

The fundamental texts of Islamic law and doctrine establish a normative framework for Muslims' beliefs and practices that is not always readily compatible with deep-rooted local traditions, a discrepancy that is often thought to lead to tension, conflict and calls for religious reform. However, normative texts are in fact equally often used to reinterpret local tradition and provide religious justification for its continuance. This majlis will discuss the way in which such creative reinterpretations have affected a colourful ritual of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia.

Bio:

Zoltán Szombathy (PhD 2001) is Professor of Arabic and Islamic studies and Head of the Department of Semitic and Arabic Studies at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest. He has previously been a visiting scholar at several research institutions in Cairo, Princeton, Edinburgh, Madrid and Oxford. In addition to the study of various aspects of social and cultural history and folk religion in the premodern Middle East, his fields of interest include Muslim culture in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. He is author of nearly a hundred publications, including Mujūn: Libertinism in Mediaeval Muslim Society and Culture (Oxford: Gibb Memorial Trust – Oxbow Books, 2013), The History of Bidyini and Kaabu. Two Chronicles in Arabic from Guinea-Bissau (Piliscsaba: The Avicenna Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, 2007) and The Roots of Arabic Genealogy. A Study in Historical Anthropology (Piliscsaba: The Avicenna Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, 2003).
________________________________________________________________________

In the spirit of the label 'Majlis' and also to make the talks even more interesting, our speakers present the topic discussed as embedded in their journey. You can watch the previous Majlises here:

Monday Majlis series (Centre for the ...

If you'd like to be included in the CSI (Centre for the Study of Islam) (IAIS, University of Exeter) mailing list, please contact the CSI Manager Sarah Wood ([email protected]).
________________________________________________________________________

Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
@exeteriais

Follow us on Twitter:
Twitter: ExeterIAIS

Follow us on Instagram:
Instagram: exeteriais

Find us on Facebook:
Facebook: ExeterIAIS

Check out our website:
https://arabislamicstudies.exeter.ac.uk/