Contesting Islam, Constructing Race and Sexuality: The Inordinate Desire of the West
Join us on Thursday January 22nd at 7:30pm ET for our next Muslim Women Scholars Series seminar, presented by CCMW!
Speaker: Sunera Thobani
Abstract: The political standoffs of the 'War on Terror' illustrate that the interaction within and between the so-called Western and Muslim civilizations is constantly in flux. A recurring theme however is how Islam and Muslims signify the 'Enemy' in the Western socio-cultural imagination and have become the 'Other' against which the West identifies itself.
Sunera Thobani examines how Islam is foundational to the formation of Western identity at critical points in its history, including the Crusades, the Reconquista and the colonial period. More specifically, she explores how masculinity and femininity are formed at such pivotal junctures and what role feminism has played in the wars against 'radical' Islam. Exposing these symbiotic relationships, Thobani explores how the return of 'religion' is reworking the racial, gender and sexual politics by which Western society defines itself, and more specifically, defines itself against Islam.
About Sunera Thobani
Sunera Thobani is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Her scholarship focuses on critical race, postcolonial, diasporic and feminist theory and practice, colonialism, globalization, citizenship and migration, Muslim women, media and the war on terror, and South Asian women’s and sexuality studies.
About Muslim Women Scholars Series
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is pleased to present the Muslim Women Scholars Series. One of CCMW's strategic goals is to promote critical thinking among Muslims and non-Muslims to challenge stereotypes and assumptions about Islam, Muslim women and their families. One way of doing this is to feature the work of contemporary Muslim women scholars focusing on diverse topics related to Muslim women.
For more information or partnership opportunities, email us at events@ccmw.com.