Call for Papers: Muslim Chaplaincy: Practice, Research and Recognition

This conference brings together leading practitioners and international researchers in Muslim Chaplaincy Studies thereby creating a dialogue at the interface of research and reflective practice. Important current topics will be discussed and perspectives for the further contouring of the research field developed.

The growth of Muslim involvement in chaplaincy in numerous Western countries over recent decades has been the catalyst for the emergence of a new international field of research, namely, Muslim Chaplaincy Studies. Although the demography of Muslim communities is variable, as is the economic, political, historic, and social contexts in which they live, there are nevertheless some common issues facing Muslim chaplains as they develop their profession.

This conference brings together leading practitioners and international researchers in Muslim Chaplaincy Studies thereby creating a dialogue at the interface of research and reflective practice. Important current topics will be discussed and perspectives for the further contouring of the research field developed.

June 24th-26th 2025, Fribourg Switzerland

The Swiss Centre for Islam and Society and the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK

Keynotes Speakers (Plenary Sessions)

• Bilal Ansari (Hartford International University for Religion and Peace – USA)
• Navid Baig (University of Oslo – Norway)
• Claire de Galembert (University of Paris Nanterre – France)
• Esma Isis-Arnautovic (University of Fribourg – Switzerland)
• Nazila Isgandarova (University of Toronto – Canada)
• Sophie Gilliat-Ray (Cardiff University)
• Andrew Todd, (Anglia Ruskin University – UK)
• Ingrid Mattson (Huron University – Canada)

 

Call for Papers, Workshops, Posters

The conference aims to bring together researchers and practitioners from different academic backgrounds, and we welcome contributions from diverse fields such as Education and Pedagogy, Gender Studies, Interreligious relations, Islamic Studies, Islamic theology, Medicine, Sociology, Philosophy and Ethics, Pastoral care, Spiritual care, and Psychology.

Please submit a 1500 to 2000 characters abstracts for your paper, workshop or poster proposal. The proposal should contain the general aim of your contribution, the discipline and the methodology, as well as a biographical note (max. 250 characters).

Submission deadline: 1st of October 2024

Papers

Scientific papers will be presented in 4 parallel sessions

Topics

• Gender Issues
• Training and Professionalisation
• Theological and Shari’a Issues

Further relevant topics within Muslim Chaplaincy Studies

Workshops

Focus should be on applied and practical dimensions. We encourage case studies and practitioners’ experiences.

Topics (exemples)

• Sudden death,
• Islamic law and institutional policy
• Conversion to Islam

Posters

Posters should be A0 or A1 sized (either portrait or landscape)

Topics

Research or practical experience in Muslim Chaplaincy

Scientific Direction 

Prof. Dr Hansjörg Schmid

Prof. Dr Sophie Gilliat-Ray

Dr Mallory Schneuwly Purdie

Dr Mansur Ali

Dilek Uçak Ekinci

Practical informations

Travel

Fribourg can easily be reached by train from the three international airports  (Zurich, Geneva, Basel). The journey takes  around 1h30. Travel by international trains is encouraged within Europe.

Online portal for Swiss public transport

Buses from Fribourg train station are nb. 1 (Direction Marly-Gérine), nb. 3 (Direction Charmettes), nb. 9 (Direction Plateau de Pérolles) to bus stop Charmettes. The trip from the station to the conference location takes about 15 min on foot.

 

Hotels

There are different accommodation options for participants to choose from. General information on hotels can be found on https://fribourg.ch/en/fribourg/hotels/?r=3917

Group booking have been made in two different hotel for the particiants :

Hotel Alpha , rue du Simplon 13, 1700 Fribourg  (website Alpha Hotel)

The hotel is conveniently located in the vicinity of the conference.

Keynotes speakers have been booked in this hotel.

Conférence participants should book directly at the hotel using the reference code : CSIS 2025.

Deadline: 28.02.2025.

Price with breakfast: 180.- CHF (+ 3.- CHF tax).

 

Hotel Ibis, Route du Lac 19, 1763 Granges-Paccot (website Hotel Ibis)

Conférence participants should book directly at the hotel using the reference code : (détails coming soon)