Scriptural encounters

Reading challenging sacred texts. Scriptural Encounters bring together different faiths to debate and discuss controversial topics. The next meeting will on the theme of Holy Places. Come along and listen or take part in the discussion. 4:00-5:30pm, Thu 17 October 2019, in A115 Samuel Alexander building, University of Manchester.  Further information.

Seminar, Jean Monnet Centre

Religion and radicalisation. Dr Margarita Markoviti (Université Libre of Brussels) presented ‘From the Burqa to the Crucifix: Religious Freedoms and European Governance in a Context of Increasing Radicalisation’ at Manchester, 2 October 2019. Further information. 

Seminar, Department of Art History and Cultural Practices

Arts and religion. Emily Christensen (Courtauld Institute) presented ‘How Do You Induce a Sense of Revelation? Wassily Kandinsky’s Adaptation of Techniques from Persian Paintings’ at Manchester on 2 October 2019. Further information.

Beyond Belief, Radio 4

Islamic Studies. Alan Williams was invited to participate in a special Radio 4 Beyond Belief programme about the poetry of Rumi to be recorded on Sunday 29th September at in front of an audience at the BBC’s ‘Contains Strong Language’ Festival in Hull. Further information.

Academic Review, Netherlands

Islamic Studies. Alan Williams was a member of the Review Team for the University of Leiden Review of the Leiden Institute of Area Studies (LIAS) and Netherlands Inter-university School for Islamic Studies (NISIS) 11-13 June 2019.

Conference, Amsterdam

Abraham Faiths. Alan Williams was invited to contribute to the European Academy for Religion and Society (EARS) conference ‘Judeo-Christianity and Islam: contested narratives’, hosted by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam at the Doopsgezinde kerk in Amsterdam on the 17th and 18th of October (Keynote Speaker Prof. Graham Ward).

Reading Group, Jewish-Muslim relations

Jewish-Muslim Research Network Reading Group. Dr Michael Miller (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany) will be leading the discussion on Ethan Michaeli’s 'Another Exodus: The Hebrew Israelites from Chicago to Dimona' (1999) and Martina Könighofer’s 'Israelites and Ishmaelites' (2008). September 27, 1-2 p.m., University of Manchester.  Further information. 

Research Seminar, Manchester

Religion and Theology. Dr Katie Edwards (Sheffield) discussed 'Rape Myths and Gospel Truths: The Bible and Sexual Violence'. 26 September 2019.  Further information. 

Seminar, University of Glasgow

Jewish studies.  Stefania Silvestri gave a paper on "Judaism and Material Culture: Identity, Memory and Gender", 4pm Tues 24 September and Holly Morse will give a paper on "The Desiring Eye: Seeing Sex in the Hebrew Bible", 4pm Fri 4 October, Upper seminar room, 4 Professors' Square, University of Glasgow. As part of the Theology and Religious Studies Research Seminar series. Further information.

Reading group, Phenomenology

Art and phenomenology. Alex Samely will convene the reading group on 'Phenomenological Engagements with Art', with works by Heidegger, Levinas, and Nancy. The first and second sessions will be Wed 18 Sept and Wed 2 Oct at 5pm in  Seminar Room 1, Graduate School, Manchester University, Ellen Wilkinson Building Section C. Further information.

Funding, Social Responsibility

Creative Manchester. Holly Morse has been awarded £1000 from the SALC Social Responsibility Funding scheme, as  a contribution towards the development of a collaborative intitiative between Religions & Theology and BBC Radio 4's Beyond Belief programme, working with teachers, students and curriculum developers.

New Publication

Theology and the city. A project of the Lincoln Theological Institute, Multiple Faiths in Postcolonial Cities (Dunn, J., Joziasse, H., Patta, R.B., Duggan, J. (Eds.) was published in August 2019. Three of the editors are current or former PhD students at The University of Manchester. Further information. 

Bogdanow Lectures 2019

Holocaust Studies. We are delighted to announce that the Bogdanow Lectures in Holocaust Studies 2019 will be given by Prof Tony Kushner (University of Southampton) on the topic 'Illegality: Jews and Other Humans'. Lectures at 6pm 23 and 24 Sept 2019, A113 Samuel Alexander Building. The event is open to the public and there is no need to book a place. Further information.