Contemporary Islamic Studies

Dr Jennifer Gaynor contributed to Panel One of Day One of this 2-day workshop. Scholarship on maritime Asia allows us to discern a rough congruence between the emergence of early nautical polities in Southeast Asia and much earlier sea-crossing networks of nautical interaction. What are the implications of this apparent overlap for how we understand the emergence of those nautical polities and for our grasp of the history of transregional interactions? This talk describes some of the evidence for these precursor networks among seafaring people around and across the South China Sea, networks that connected places associated with speakers of Austronesian languages. The existence of these precursor nautical networks suggests they have some explanatory significance, alongside transregional interconnections, in the development of nautical polities and in what would become nearly pan-Asian networks of maritime interaction Accompanying PowerPoint presentation, please make available alongside the audio recording.

Follow this link to view the slides from this talk: https://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/sant/islamic_studies/2025-12-22-sant-islamic_studies-jennifer_gaynor-slides.pdfhttps://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/sant/islamic_studies/2025-12-22-sant-islamic_studies-jennifer_gaynor-slides.pdf

Her Majesty Queen Azizah of Pahang, Malaysia opened this 2-day workshop ‘Pahang and the Sea, Maritime Networks and Connections between Southeast Asia and Beyond. The workshop brought together experts in the field from the US, UK, Europe and Malaysia who shared their knowledge and research, as we explored the fascinating maritime history of Pahang, Malaysia and its connections with the Islamic world, China and Europe.

This keynote address by the Queen repositions Pahang as a sovereign maritime kingdom whose historical and legal significance has long been overshadowed by the western-oriented narratives of Melaka and other coastal polities. Drawing upon archival evidence, manuscript studies, and legal historiography, and employing textual analysis of the Hukum Kanun Pahang (The Pahang Canon) the presentation argues that the Hukum Kanun Pahang (circa 1592–1614), codified under Sultan Abdul Ghafur Muhyiddin Shah, stands among the most advanced expressions of maritime legal consciousness in the Malay world. While Hukum Melaka and Undang-Undang Laut Melaka established foundational models for Malay maritime governance, the Hukum Kanun Pahang represents their matured continuation, a codified constitution extending royal sovereignty over both land and sea. It integrates Syariah principles with adat (customary law), addressing port regulation, naval hierarchy, taxation, trade ethics, and anti- piracy provisions. This synthesis reveals an early constitutional understanding of maritime space as governed territory, not open frontier. By situating Pahang within the Laut Melayu (Malay Sea) network of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the study highlights its role as a stabilising power offering legal order, safe passage, and cultural continuity amid regional upheavals. The Hukum Kanun Pahang thus emerges as a pioneering model of Malay-Islamic maritime governance, predating European legal interventions and demonstrating Southeast Asia’s own jurisprudential sophistication. The paper concludes by calling for renewed textual, archaeological, and comparative scholarship to restore Pahang’s rightful place within global maritime and constitutional history.

Dr Andrew March presents on Islam and the State, our final episode of the Trinity Term 2025 Oxford Islam and Justice programme, on Friday 20 June 2025. The Oxford Islam and Justice Programme aims to provide a grounding in the academic and debates about the relationship between Islamic views of justice and the modern political order.

This is the fourth and final seminar of Trinity Term 2025, with associated short pre-readings, and is taught by leading academic in the field Dr Andrew March. The theme for this week's lecture is Islam and the State: What is the ‘state’, and is it best viewed as a neutral tool that can be turned to a variety of ends, Islamic or otherwise, or as a social form that contains its own implicit normative assumptions? What form, if any, should an ‘Islamic’ state take? We explore different perspectives on the moral ontology of the modern state with a view to determining how Muslims ought to engage with it.

In this Trinity Term 2025 series we are exploring some of the deepest questions about Islam and political justice, including the ideas of political liberalism, natural law, statecraft, political theology, and 'secularism'. In all cases, we aim to expose students to a variety of competing perspectives that are grounded in the Islamic tradition. Recommended readings are provided for each seminar; completing at least the core readings beforehand will provide the richest possible learning experience. Additional, optional readings are provided for students who want to explore topics in greater depth.

The Oxford Islam and Justice Programme aims to provide a grounding in the academic and debates about the relationship between Islamic views of justice and the modern political order. This is the third seminar of Trinity Term 2025, with associated short pre-readings, and is taught by leading academic in the field Dr Mohammed Allehbi. The theme for this week's lecture is Islamic Law beyond Fiqh (700-1000 C.E.)

In this Trinity Term 2025 series we are exploring some of the deepest questions about Islam and political justice, including the ideas of political liberalism, natural law, statecraft, political theology, and 'secularism'. In all cases, we aim to expose students to a variety of competing perspectives that are grounded in the Islamic tradition. Recommended readings are provided for each seminar; completing at least the core readings beforehand will provide the richest possible learning experience. Additional, optional readings are provided for students who want to explore topics in greater depth.

You can download slides for the seminar.

The Oxford Islam and Justice Programme aims to provide a grounding in the academic and debates about the relationship between Islamic views of justice and the modern political order. This is the first seminar of Trinity Term 2025, with associated short pre-readings, and is taught by leading academic in the field Professor Mohammad Fadel. The theme for this week's lecture is Islam and Political Liberalism, specifically Liberal Commitments, Islamic Commitments and Public Reason: Strategies for Principled Reconciliation.

In this Trinity Term 2025 series we are exploring some of the deepest questions about Islam and political justice, including the ideas of political liberalism, natural law, statecraft, political theology, and 'secularism'. In all cases, we aim to expose students to a variety of competing perspectives that are grounded in the Islamic tradition. Recommended readings are provided for each seminar; completing at least the core readings beforehand will provide the richest possible learning experience. Additional, optional readings are provided for students who want to explore topics in greater depth.

Yasmeen Eryani contributing to Session 3: Reverberations of Resistance, at a November 2024 Contemporary Islamic Studies Oxford / SEPAD, Lancaster University workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities. Yasmeen Eryani speaking on “The Houthis: From Local Insurgents to a Regional Actor – Exploiting Global Solidarities”. Guest speaker contributing to the 1-day workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities, held on Friday 29 November 2024. Yasmeen spoke in Session 3, Reverberations of Resistance, chaired by Professor Neil Ketchley. The workshop was co-convened Professor Raihan Ismail of the Contemporary Islamic Studies Programme, St Antony’s College, University of Oxford in collaboration with Professor Simon Mabon, of the SEPAD Project (the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization project), Richardson Institute, Lancaster University. The workshop explores the evolving roles of Islamic movements and their transnational dynamics, with a particular focus on developments following the events of 7 October 2023. It examines how regional actors exploit diverging intra-Muslim identities and the ways in which these divides are leveraged as tools for geopolitical advantage. Additionally, the workshop analyses the growing significance of Islamist resistance movements, focusing on how grassroots initiatives and armed struggles challenge existing political structures and foster transnational solidarity among Islamic movements.

By situating Islamic movements within the shifting power dynamics at local, regional, and global levels, the workshop seeks to provide another layer of understanding of the interplay between these movements, intra-Muslim relations, and resistance. Particular attention will be given to how recent events have redefined the political, religious, ideological, and geopolitical landscape.

Various guest speakers contributed to 3 sessions during the day culminating in a roundtable discussion chaired by Professor Pascal Menoret, and edited audio recordings of some of the other guest speaker presentations are also available within this podcast series. Other guest speakers included: Dr Susann Kassem, speaking on “Israel’s War on Lebanon: Social and Political Ramifications”; Professor Inna Rudolf, speaking on “The Nuances within Iraq’s Islamic Resistance”; and Dr Somdeep Sen, speaking on “Hamas and the Global Dialectics of Resistance?”.

Prof. Raihan Ismail in Session 2: Islamist and Religious Currents: Networks of Influence and Ideology, at November 2024 Contemporary Islamic Studies Oxford/SEPAD, Lancaster University workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities. Professor Raihan Ismail speaking on “Religious Actors and Transnational Solidarity: The question of Palestine”. Guest speaker contributing to the 1-day workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities, held on Friday 29 November 2024. Professor Ismail spoke in Session 2, Islamist and Religious Currents: Networks of Influence and Ideology, chaired by Dr Antonella Acinapura. The workshop was co-convened Professor Raihan Ismail of the Contemporary Islamic Studies Programme, St Antony’s College, University of Oxford in collaboration with Professor Simon Mabon, of the SEPAD Project (the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization project), Richardson Institute, Lancaster University. The workshop explores the evolving roles of Islamic movements and their transnational dynamics, with a particular focus on developments following the events of 7 October 2023. It examines how regional actors exploit diverging intra-Muslim identities and the ways in which these divides are leveraged as tools for geopolitical advantage. Additionally, the workshop analyses the growing significance of Islamist resistance movements, focusing on how grassroots initiatives and armed struggles challenge existing political structures and foster transnational solidarity among Islamic movements.

By situating Islamic movements within the shifting power dynamics at local, regional, and global levels, the workshop seeks to provide another layer of understanding of the interplay between these movements, intra-Muslim relations, and resistance. Particular attention will be given to how recent events have redefined the political, religious, ideological, and geopolitical landscape.

Various guest speakers contributed to 3 sessions during the day culminating in a roundtable discussion chaired by Professor Pascal Menoret, and edited audio recordings of some of the other guest speaker presentations are also available within this podcast series. Other guest speakers included: Dr Susann Kassem, speaking on “Israel’s War on Lebanon: Social and Political Ramifications”; Professor Inna Rudolf, speaking on “The Nuances within Iraq’s Islamic Resistance”; and Dr Somdeep Sen, speaking on “Hamas and the Global Dialectics of Resistance?”.

Prof. Michael Willis in Session 2: Islamist and Religious Currents: Networks of Influence and Ideology, at November 2024 Contemporary Islamic Studies Oxford/SEPAD, Lancaster University workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities. Professor Michael Willis speaking on “Whatever happened to Algerian Islamism?”. Guest speaker contributing to the 1-day workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities, held on Friday 29 November 2024. Professor Willis spoke in Session 2, Islamist and Religious Currents: Networks of Influence and Ideology, chaired by Dr Antonella Acinapura. The workshop was co-convened Professor Raihan Ismail of the Contemporary Islamic Studies Programme, St Antony’s College, University of Oxford in collaboration with Professor Simon Mabon, of the SEPAD Project (the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization project), Richardson Institute, Lancaster University. The workshop explores the evolving roles of Islamic movements and their transnational dynamics, with a particular focus on developments following the events of 7 October 2023. It examines how regional actors exploit diverging intra-Muslim identities and the ways in which these divides are leveraged as tools for geopolitical advantage. Additionally, the workshop analyses the growing significance of Islamist resistance movements, focusing on how grassroots initiatives and armed struggles challenge existing political structures and foster transnational solidarity among Islamic movements.

By situating Islamic movements within the shifting power dynamics at local, regional, and global levels, the workshop seeks to provide another layer of understanding of the interplay between these movements, intra-Muslim relations, and resistance. Particular attention will be given to how recent events have redefined the political, religious, ideological, and geopolitical landscape.

Various guest speakers contributed to 3 sessions during the day culminating in a roundtable discussion chaired by Professor Pascal Menoret, and edited audio recordings of some of the other guest speaker presentations are also available within this podcast series. Other guest speakers included: Dr Susann Kassem, speaking on “Israel’s War on Lebanon: Social and Political Ramifications”; Professor Inna Rudolf, speaking on “The Nuances within Iraq’s Islamic Resistance”; and Dr Somdeep Sen, speaking on “Hamas and the Global Dialectics of Resistance?”.

Dr Ezgi Basaran in Session 2: Islamist and Religious Currents: Networks of Influence and Ideology, at a November 2024 Contemporary Islamic Studies Oxford/SEPAD, Lancaster University workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities. Dr Ezgi Basaran speaking on “Islamist Networks 2011-2013: The AKP, Ennahda and the Muslim Brotherhood”. Guest speaker contributing to the 1-day workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities, held on Friday 29 November 2024. Dr Basaran spoke in Session 2, Islamist and Religious Currents: Networks of Influence and Ideology, chaired by Dr Antonella Acinapura. The workshop was co-convened Professor Raihan Ismail of the Contemporary Islamic Studies Programme, St Antony’s College, University of Oxford in collaboration with Professor Simon Mabon, of the SEPAD Project (the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization project), Richardson Institute, Lancaster University. The workshop explores the evolving roles of Islamic movements and their transnational dynamics, with a particular focus on developments following the events of 7 October 2023. It examines how regional actors exploit diverging intra-Muslim identities and the ways in which these divides are leveraged as tools for geopolitical advantage. Additionally, the workshop analyses the growing significance of Islamist resistance movements, focusing on how grassroots initiatives and armed struggles challenge existing political structures and foster transnational solidarity among Islamic movements.

By situating Islamic movements within the shifting power dynamics at local, regional, and global levels, the workshop seeks to provide another layer of understanding of the interplay between these movements, intra-Muslim relations, and resistance. Particular attention will be given to how recent events have redefined the political, religious, ideological, and geopolitical landscape.

Various guest speakers contributed to 3 sessions during the day culminating in a roundtable discussion chaired by Professor Pascal Menoret, and edited audio recordings of some of the other guest speaker presentations are also available within this podcast series. Other guest speakers included: Dr Susann Kassem, speaking on “Israel’s War on Lebanon: Social and Political Ramifications”; Professor Inna Rudolf, speaking on “The Nuances within Iraq’s Islamic Resistance”; and Dr Somdeep Sen, speaking on “Hamas and the Global Dialectics of Resistance?”.

Prof. Simon Mabon contributing to Session 1: Intra-Muslim relations and Geopolitical Transformation, at a November 2024 Contemporary Islamic Studies Oxford/SEPAD, Lancaster University workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities. Professor Simon Mabon speaking on “Saudi Arabia and Iran: Transnational Shifts and Regional Order”. Guest speaker contributing to the 1-day workshop: Transnational Islamic Movements: Global and Local Realities, held on Friday 29 November 2024. Professor Mabon spoke in Session 1, Intra-Muslim relations and Geopolitical Transformation, chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan. The workshop was co-convened Professor Raihan Ismail of the Contemporary Islamic Studies Programme, St Antony’s College, University of Oxford in collaboration with Professor Simon Mabon, of the SEPAD Project (the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization project), Richardson Institute, Lancaster University. The workshop explores the evolving roles of Islamic movements and their transnational dynamics, with a particular focus on developments following the events of 7 October 2023. It examines how regional actors exploit diverging intra-Muslim identities and the ways in which these divides are leveraged as tools for geopolitical advantage. Additionally, the workshop analyses the growing significance of Islamist resistance movements, focusing on how grassroots initiatives and armed struggles challenge existing political structures and foster transnational solidarity among Islamic movements.

By situating Islamic movements within the shifting power dynamics at local, regional, and global levels, the workshop seeks to provide another layer of understanding of the interplay between these movements, intra-Muslim relations, and resistance. Particular attention will be given to how recent events have redefined the political, religious, ideological, and geopolitical landscape.

Various guest speakers contributed to 3 sessions during the day culminating in a roundtable discussion chaired by Professor Pascal Menoret, and edited audio recordings of some of the other guest speaker presentations are also available within this podcast series. Other guest speakers included: Dr Susann Kassem, speaking on “Israel’s War on Lebanon: Social and Political Ramifications”; Professor Inna Rudolf, speaking on “The Nuances within Iraq’s Islamic Resistance”; and Dr Somdeep Sen, speaking on “Hamas and the Global Dialectics of Resistance?”.