[Bilimsel Haber] CfP: International Symposium on Bektashism (Tirana, 23 October 2009)

[Onur Inal]

Please forward to potential interested scholars!

International Symposium:

Bektashism between religious movement and established religion

Tirana, 23 October 2009

The European University in Tirana, in association with the Academy of
Sciences and the Centre for Albanian Studies, is organizing an International
Symposium on Bektashism. The event features the participation of many
international and local experts in the field, including the following
keynote speakers:

1.  Nathalie Clayer (CNRS France): "Institutionalisation and Bektashi
Religious Authority in Twentieth-Century Albania"

2.  David Shankland (Bristol University): TBA

3.  Ahmet Karamustafa (Washington University in St. Louis): to be confirmed

4.  Albert Doja (Member of the Academy of Sciences): "From Confraternal
Religion to Instrumental Theology in the Political History of Bektashism"

5.  Ger Duijzings (SEES University College London): TBA

6.  Bernd Fischer (Indiana University): TBA


Abstract

Recent work on Bektashism demonstrates an innovative and well-argued
approach, according to which the system of beliefs and practices related to
Bektashism seems to have corresponded to a kind of liberation theology,
whereas the structure of Bektashi groups corresponded more or less to the
type of religious organization conventionally known as charismatic groups.
If this is the case, their spiritual tendency could at times connect with
and meet social, cultural and national perspectives. It is the overall
combination of these factors that seems to cast heterodox mystics and
heretics of any kind as non-conformist and often dangerous for the political
establishment, as was the case with the Bektashis as much in Ottoman
Anatolia and Modern Turkey as in Albania. However, in other circumstances,
they may become politically compliant and reliable, depending on political
situations. In this case, when members of the previously persecuted
religious minority will acquire a degree of 
religious and political respectability within society at large, the
doctrines of heterodoxy and liberation theology fade into the background. In
the end, the heirs of the heterodox promoters of spiritual reform and social
movement turn into followers and faithful defenders of a legitimate
authority. They become the spokespeople for an institutionalized orthodoxy
whose support is sought by the political regime.


Call for Contributions

The International Symposium aims to promote theoretical academic debates and
discussions on different approaches to Bektashism from various humanities
and social science perspectives, while taking into account, on one hand, the
implications of Bektashism to issues of identity and cultural politics and,
on the other hand, the similarities and differences of Bektashism in
Anatolia and in the Balkans, including Albania.

Submissions are welcome to address the following but not limited issues:

1.  Bektashism as a liberation theology: doctrinal and organizational
patterns, master and disciple relationships, gnostic and dualist ideas

2.  The relationship between heterodoxy and orthodoxy in Bektashism

3.  The relationship of Bektashism to political structures

4.  The extent of Bektashism in acting as both a conservative and radical
force for both social stability and social change in society

5.  The relationship of Bektashism to culturalist and nationalist movements

6.  The extent of Bektashi background and inspiration in Naim Frashëri's
work and activism

Submission proposals (max. 250 words) should be sent by email and must be
accompanied with a short bio (max. 100 words) of the Applicant's academic
affiliation/ research topic/general research interests by 30th July 2009.
Accepted papers will be announced by 15th August 2009. The approved
candidates will have to submit the full-length paper of no more than 7000
words by 15th September 2009. The time presentation made available to
speakers will be about 20 minutes followed by a Q&A session. In order to
facilitate discussion papers will be made available to all participants in
advance and will be published as Symposium Proceedings by UET Press.

Send submission proposals to: eupra2009 at gmail.com


Prof. Dr. Albert Doja, H.D.R.
Member of the Academy of Sciences
Professor of Sociology & Anthropology
European University of Tirana, Albania
Phone: +355-686038335
Email: albert.doja at ul.ie