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: eupra2...@gmail.com