[Bilimsel Haber] CfP: Contemporary Muslim Consumer Cultures (Free University of Berlin, September 24 – 27, 2008)

[Onur Inal]

From: Johanna Pink <jpink at zedat.fu-berlin.de>
Subject: Call for Papers: Contemporary Muslim Consumer Cultures

Conference: Contemporary Muslim Consumer Cultures – an Emerging Field of
Study,
Free University of Berlin, Institute for Islamic Studies, September 24 – 27,
2008

Consumer culture in the Muslim world, or Muslims as a specific target group
who participate actively in a consumer market, are rather new realms for
academic researchers. For many Muslims, consumption plays an increasing role
in identity formation. Their growing cultural and religious self-awareness
transforms markets, advertising strategies and consumer behavior.

Muslim consumer culture is closely interrelated to globalization and is,
therefore, of relevance to various areas of economic, sociological,
anthropological, psychological and religious scholarship. However, so far
scholarly research on this subject has been very limited. And though studies
very often acknowledge or include the interdisciplinary character of Muslim
consumer culture, there is still a need for a comprehensive analysis of its
many aspects.

The conference aims at creating a network of international scholars and
young researchers with various approaches to the subject, and it also aims
at initiating exchange and cooperation between them to develop the basic
grounds for this emerging field of study. It will include two invited
keynote speakers, two panel discussions led by experts, and a number of
workshops during which all participants will have the opportunity to present
and discuss their research projects. There will be no more than 20 speakers
to allow useful discussion. We especially encourage applications from the
Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Submissions of abstracts and papers on the following broad themes are
encouraged:

• Issues of advertising products for a Muslim target group
• Gender-specific consumption behavior in a Muslim context
• "Western" versus "Islamic" brands
• The question whether there is such a thing as an Islamic consumer, and how
it can be defined
• Products geared toward a religious public (e.g. Islamic fashion)
• Recent developments in the consumer landscape of Muslim societies
• Religious and moral factors affecting individual patterns of consumption
or legislation, e.g. questions of ritual purity.

All papers that are submitted by the start of the conference and
successfully complete a peerreview process will be published in a concerence
volume.

Please submit your application, including an abstract of about 150-200 words
and a short c.v., by May 15, 2008, preferrably by e-mail. 

Registration fee is 50 €; lodging, breakfast and lunch meals will be
provided. We offer a reimbursement of travel costs for participants from the
Middle East, Africa, Asia, Turkey, the Americas and the countries of the
former Soviet Union if their institution is not able to cover them.

Contact: 

Freie Universität Berlin, 
Institut für Islamwissenschaft, 
Dr. Johanna Pink,

Altensteinstr. 40, 14195 Berlin, Germany, 
phone: +49 (0) 30-838-51437,
fax: +49 (0) 30-838-52830, 
e-mail: jpink at zedat.fu-berlin.de