Anthropology and the Islamic-Western Relationship: Akbar Ahmed in Dialogue with Frankie Martin

 

Organizer: Francis Martin, American University

Presenters:

Akbar Ahmed, American University

Francis Martin, American University

Discussant: Raymond Scupin, Lindenwood University, Anthropology Department

Primary Section: GAD - General Anthropology Division

For decades, Akbar Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, has innovatively drawn upon the discipline of anthropology to examine the relationship between Islam and the West. He has produced a series of books, articles, and films and featured heavily in global media with the objective of improving communication, education, and dialogue between different peoples. After the September 11th attacks, he embarked on a unique, pathbreaking, and award-winning quartet of anthropological studies examining the Islamic-Western relationship from different perspectives. These studies -- Journey into Islam, Journey into America, The Thistle and the Drone, and Journey into Europe -- involved extensive ethnographic research across multiple continents.

In this event, Ahmed, described as the "world's leading authority on contemporary Islam" by the BBC, will discuss his quartet of anthropological studies with Frankie Martin, the Senior Researcher of the quartet and a PhD Candidate in the Department of Anthropology at American University. They will discuss the rationale and method of the quartet, its implications for the discipline of anthropology, and its relevance for public scholarship. The event will also showcase scenes from documentary films produced by Ahmed and Martin as part of their work on the quartet.

With debates about immigration, identity, and nationalism roiling nations in the West and beyond, and the continuing US involvement in Muslim countries, it is more important than ever to understand the dynamics of the Islamic-Western relationship. This event will provide an urgent and practical forum to discuss these issues of direct relevance to anthropologists and anyone interested in better understanding the contemporary global landscape and creating a better world. The presentation will be followed by a Q and A moderated by Dr Raymond Scupin.

Date: Thursday (11/19)

Time: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Room: CC, Room 275