Oration: Islamic Law encounters the Arab Spring

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Renowned Islamic law expert, Dr John Strawson, will deliver the University of Adelaide Research Unit for the Study of Society, Law and Religion’s (RUSSLR) 2013 Law and Religion Oration.

His public lecture will provide a thought-provoking insight into the highly publicised political struggle in Egypt and the role of Islamic law in contemporary societies.

Dr John Strawson

Dr John Strawson is reader in Law at the University of East London where he is Co-director of the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict. He works in the areas of postcolonialism and legal history with special reference to Islam and the Middle East.

He has held visiting positions at the International Institute for Social Studies (The Hague, Netherlands), Birzeit University (Palestine), and was visiting professor of law at the International Islamic University Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) in 2007.

Dr Strawson spent a sabbatical in Egypt in 1993 and has visited frequently including several research visits since the 25 January 2011 revolution.

His publications include, Law after Ground Zero (ed. 2002) and Partitioning Palestine: legal fundamentalism in the Arab-Israeli conflict (2010). He is currently writing a book on Islamic Law and British India.

What:Public Lecture: Islamic Law encounters the Arab Spring – Egypt’s choice

When: Monday 25 November 2013, 6pm – 7pm

Where: G04 Napier Building, University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

Cost: Free

RSVP: Essential : RSVP: essential by Friday 22 November, online at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/event/8277212365

More information: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/lawandreligion/

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Faculty of the Professions, Research Unit for the Study of Society, Law and Religion

The Research Unit for the Study of Society, Law and Religion (RUSSLR) is a significant strategic initiative for the University of Adelaide and the nation. RUSSLR is the first centre or institute in Australia to study the relationship between society, law and religion – putting it at the leading edge in Australia of what is already a major research area worldwide.

RUSSLR’s principal objective is to create a space for dialogue on significant issues involving the relationship between society, law and religion in Australia. We seek to foster an environment where divergent views can be expressed with good will and respect. Based upon this objective, RUSSLR’s principal research aims include robust debate on:

  • the role of religion in both creating and solving current social, moral and ethical issues;
  • the protection of human rights, including freedom of religion and privacy;
  • religious fundamentalism;
  • the role of religion in education; and
  • citizenship and migration.

In exploring these issues, RUSSLR’s focus includes secular and non secular perspectives. Within this framework, it aims to study the relationship between law and religion where:

  • law acts as an arbiter between religion and society/state
  • religion has some influence or potential influence upon law, such as in the case of moral goals and imperatives;
  • religions have their own legal systems, such as Judaism, Islam and Hinduism;
  • secular law applies to modern society.  

All of this is directed at understanding the place and role of religion and law in contemporary Australian society.