An international symposium on "Islamic Civilisation in Southern Africa" will be jointly organised by the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa (Awqaf SA) and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa on 1-3 September 2006.

The symposium will examine topics such as the spread of Islam in Southern Africa; the relationship between trade and Islam; language and Islamic literature; Islamic education and intellectual development; history, contribution and challenges; colonialism, apartheid and democracy; coexistence of cultures; arts and crafts, architecture and archaeology; future perspectives; Muslim media; influential figures; establishment of financial institutions; community-state relations; NGOs.

For the purpose of this symposium Southern Africa will include: South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Comoros, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi, Swaziland, Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Madagascar, Reunion, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The official language of the symposium will be English. However, subject to feasibility, Arabic, French, and Zulu/Xhosa will be accommodated.  Abstracts should be submitted in English with an indication of language  preference for the preparation of the paper.

If you are interested in the symposium, please send the abstract of your proposed paper to either of the following addresses by the end of  April 2006: