Islam in Southeast Asia
Research Fellowship Programme for Young Muslim Scholars
The Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) is pleased to announce the fifth round of the research fellowship program, Islam in Southeast Asia: View from within.
The fellowship grants will be awarded for innovative research on issues concerning economic, socio-political and cultural changes taking place in the diverse Muslim communities of Southeast Asia, especially as they relate to modernization and globalization.
Themes for 2009 - 2010
Southeast Asian Islam in the World Order
Muslim communities are not immunes to globalization process. New forms of economic and political integration bellowed by economic crisis on a global scale and the resulting social transformation have created new opportunities as well as challenges for Muslims in the region. Among these challenges posed by a network of economic, political, military and cultural elite that make up today's global hegemony. This research theme seeks to analyze global hegemony in terms of its impact on Muslim communities in Southeast Asia, in economic, political and cultural terms and document the varieties of response to global hegemony from the region.
Transnational Muslim Ideologies and Identify Politics
For more than thirty years, sociologist, political scientist and journalist, have been concerned with the phenomenon of 'Islamic fundamentalism' or 'Islamism' because of the predominance of security concerns, the attention has been on the operations of so-called Islamist groups, including those deemed extremist. In these studies, two major issues have been neglected. One is the Muslim-self understanding of extremism. In other words, how do Muslims understand and define extremism? The other neglected issue is the spectrum of contemporary Muslim ideologies that are not extremist. There are sometimes collectively referred to as traditionalist Islam. This research theme explores how Muslim ideologies and identifies in Southeast Asia are formed and shaped. The clash of identifies within Muslim societies and the ways in which Muslim have been confronting extremism.
Gender and Islamic Realities
Rapidly evolving social, cultural and economic processes are leading to unprecedented changes in the societal roles of men and women. Muslim communities in Southeast Asia are being confronted with a diversity of values and lifestyles expressing multiple definitions of gender roles and relationships not always in line with dominant values. This research area encourages researchers to examine how gender roles in both the public and private sphere are changing for Muslims in Southeast Asia and relate those changes to current theological and political debates For example, research can include Muslims who have pushed the glass ceiling (in spite of gender bias) in their endeavors to serve the ummah, whether in historical or contemporary times; also institutions (e.g. family) or movements (e.g. feminism, fundamentalism) that have made change possible or that perpetuate the status quo.
Islam and Popular Culture
This research theme seeks to understand the various areas of popular culture within Muslim societies. The perspectives and points of view of the so-called common folk is no less important than those of the elite and are expressed in a variety of ways that is collectively referred to as popular culture. There is a need to provide an understanding of the various definitions of popular culture and debates that have been taking place within Muslim societies on the relationship between Islam and popular culture. This research theme encompasses five aspects of popular culture: popular music, popular literature, popular art, sports and leisure, cuisine and the new media. Another important consideration is the manner in which Islamic rituals and practices have been influenced by popular culture. Popular culture is a vast area for research. It is expected that researchers will focus on just one or two aspects of popular culture also include specifically Islamic activities such as listening to Muslim radio programmes or attendance of the mauled.
Confronting Environmental Degradation with Islamic Values
Religious values have a great affect on the relationship between humans and the environment. Now that the world seems to be facing environmental degradation at alarming levels, it has become all the more urgent for Muslim to rethink their theories and perspectives on practices that work towards saving rather than destroying the environment. This in turn requires the Islamic Religious principles that have a bearing on the environment are clearly articulated and transformed into policy and programmes.
For example, how can debates surrounding halal-haram issues be made more relevant to the environment? How can these issues be brought into Muslim religious education and public discourse so that people are sufficiently conscientized about the ecologically-friendly attitude of Islam. This research theme aims to discuss such issues as well as document on-going attempts in the Muslim world to re-align the sensibilities of Muslim with the environment.
Eligibility
Candidates must be nationals of Southeast Asian countries, hold at least a Bachelor's degree and should not be over 40 years of age.
Candidates may work in different sectors including academia, media, and non-governmental organizations. Candidates must be highly motivated to deepen their understanding of Islam in the region.
Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Fellowship Value
The fellowship consists of an average research grant of $5000-6,000 to cover all research costs for a maximum period of six months, and funded participation in mentoring workshops.
The Secretariat will arrange for editing, publication and distribution of the report in a 'work in progress' series.
Application Procedure
To apply for this fellowship program, candidates need to submit a complete research proposal. Proposed research projects should include sufficient details so that it can be judged for its merit and feasibility.
The candidates can download the application form from our website as a MS Word document. Applications by e-mail are also accepted.
The closing date for application submission is
- First Round: August 20, 2009.
- Second Round: December 31, 2009
Selection
Final selections will be made by the Advisory board.
Programme Advisory Board
Dr. Carmen Abubakar
Institute of Islamic Studies,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.
Metro Manila, Philippines.
Dr. Syed Farid Alatas
Head, Department of Malay Studies
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
National University of Singapore
Singapore
Dr. Fuad Jabali
Deputy Director for Academic Affairs and Outreach,
Graduate School, Syarif Hidayatulah State Islamic
University Jakarta, Indonesia.
Dr. Chaiwat Satha-Anand
Director, Peace Information Center
Faculty of Political Science,
Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr. Isra Sarntisart
Director, Muslim Studies Center,
Faculty of Economics,
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
M. Abdus Sabur
Secretary General
Asian Muslim Action Network &
Asian Resource Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand.
Program Management
The fellowship program is managed by ARF/ AMAN secretariat, in Bangkok, Thailand.
ARF was established in 1996 with the goal of human, cultural, religious and natural resource development in support of peoples initiatives towards self-reliance and peace.
AMAN was established in 1990 with the goal of building understanding and solidarity among Muslims and other faith communities in Asia towards people's empowerment, human rights, justice and peace.
Financial support to the fellowship program is provided by the Thai Research Fund, Bangkok, Thailand.
Contact Address
Research Fellowship Program,
Islam in Southeast Asia: View from Within
Research Fellowship Programme
AMAN/ARF
House 1562/113, Soi 1/1
Mooban Pibul, Pracharaj Road,
Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Tel: 66-2-9130196,
Fax: 66-2-9130197
E-mail: aman@arf-asia.org