Organizer: Department of Sociology and Culture Studies, JAMIA MADEENATHUNNOOR, Markaz Garden, Calicut In Collaboration with Directorate of Research and development PRISM FOUNDATION
About the Conference
- When: January 24, 2025
- Free Registration- Participation is free for all
- Mode: Offline
- Venue: Jamia Madeenathunnoor, Markaz Garden, Poonoor, Calicut, Kerala, India, 673574
- Call for Papers
- Accommodation and Travel: Accommodation and meals provided for paper presenters and participants requiring assistance
Concept Note
Ajmer Sharif, the site of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s enduring legacy, is not merely a sacred space but a locus where religious practice, historical memory, and social life in- tersect to produce a distinctive moral and cultural order. This conference seeks to criti- cally examine the ways in which the Chishti Sufi tradition, embodied most prominently in the shrine of Ajmer, has shaped and been shaped by the dynamic interplay of spiritual authority, ritual practice, and collective belonging. The Chishti ethos of love, compassion, and inclusivity resists reduction to a simple narrative of pluralism or syn- cretism. Instead, it emerges as a contingent yet powerful response to the complexities of India’s social and political history. By addressing themes such as the socio-religious impact of the Chishti order, the spatial politics of Sufi shrines, and the aesthetic rep- resentation of Ajmer Sharif in various media, the conference invites us to rethink the processes of nation-building not as abstract ideals but as historically embedded prac- tices. In doing so, it raises critical questions about how the Chishti heritage can inform contemporary understandings of coexistence and the ethical possibilities of living to- gether in a deeply diverse society.
Theme
AJMER SHARIF AND NATION-BUILDING: REIMAGINING INDIA THROUGH THE CHISHTI HERITAGE
Sub-Themes
- Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti: Life, Teachings, and Spiritual Practices- Exploring his biography, spiritual contributions, and practices that defined his role in Indian Sufism.
- Socio-Religious Impact of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti- Analyzing his role in fostering communal harmony, cultural integration, and shaping Indian Muslim traditions
- Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and the Political Landscape of India- Examining his historical influence on political discourse and his relevance in today’s socio-political environment
- The Chishti Sufi Order: Growth, Legacy, and Contemporary Importance- Tracing the development of the Chishti order, its significant figures, and its ongoing influence in Indian society.
- Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Literature, Art, and Culture- Investigating representations of Khwaja Moinuddin in poetry, music, and other cultural expressions.
- Sufi Shrines as Spaces for Interfaith Harmony and Coexistence- Assessing the role of Sufi shrines, particularly Ajmer Sharif, in fostering understanding across faiths.
- Contemporary Challenges to Sufi Pluralism- Exploring how Sufi shrines and traditions navigate modern challenges to their inclusive and pluralistic values.
Submission Guidelines
- Abstracts: Maximum of 600 words due by January 12, 2025.
- Full Papers: Submission deadline is January 20, 2025.
- Formatting: Submissions must use Times New Roman, font size 12, and 1.5 spacing.
Send Abstracts and Full Papers to om.prism@gmail.com
Click Here to Register
Important Dates
- January 12, 2025: Abstract Submission Deadline
- January 20, 2025: Full Paper Submission Deadline
- January 24, 2025: Conference Date
Contact: +91 80739 29543, om.prism@gmail.com