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Media Release

October 14 2008

Disrupting the “Clash of ignorance and misinformation”: new research centre tackles understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims

A new research centre to be established at the University of South Australia will have global significance in efforts to diminish tensions between the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds.

The International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding was launched today by former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and UniSA’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Høj.

“The Centre’s research will focus on the root causes of embedded prejudice about ‘otherness’ from a socio-cultural perspective,” Professor Høj said.

Prof Høj said the Centre would further build the University’s scholarship and commitment to social justice and reconciliation.

“The University is proud to be working with former Prime Minister and renowned mediator Bob Hawke, and responding to his challenge to establish the new Centre,” Prof Høj said.

“In time the Centre activities will inform policy makers worldwide in their efforts to establish harmonious relationships between differing communities.”

Bob Hawke, the instigator of the project, said the basic lack of understanding and increasingly hostile tensions between Muslim and non-Muslim worlds were some of the world’s most difficult and dangerous problems.

“For a long time I have wanted to help to do something about this deep-seated problem,” Mr Hawke said.

“I am gratified that the University has enthusiastically embraced this concept and I will exert whatever influence I have to ensure its success.”

Prof Høj said the Centre would be led by an internationally acclaimed scholar directing a group of research fellows, and would report to internationally recognised expert in post colonial studies, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Professor Ahluwalia is Pro Vice Chancellor of UniSA’s Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences and a newly appointed UNESCO Chair in Transnational Diasporas and Reconciliation Studies.

“The endowment of this Chair at UniSA is yet another demonstration of our capacity to explore reconciliation issues,” Prof Høj said.

Inaugural UNESCO Chair, Professor Ahluwalia said that many other institutions studying the Muslim world focussed on theology and religious dogma, the politics of the Middle East and oil, or on specifics such as the situation in Israel and Palestine.

“UniSA’s Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding will examine the cultural construction of the Muslim world across many countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe as well as the Middle East,” Prof Ahluwalia said

“Similarly, the non-Muslim world will not simply be seen as the West. This will allow the Centre to focus on common concerns, combating the triggers of prejudice and intolerance,” he said.

Many international experts attending the launch will be taking part in a forum/workshop over the next two days dealing with issues of reconciliation between Muslims and non-Muslims. The sessions will focus on identity and Diaspora.

Launch guests include:
former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke A.C.,
Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann,
High Commissioner for Kenya, His Excellency Mr. John Lepi Lanyosunya,
Director of The Packard Foundation, Dr Musimbi Kanyoro the University’s inaugural Nelson Mandela lecturer.

International experts:
Professor Dato Dr Sano Koutoub Moustapha from the International Islamic University of Malaysia,
Kuranda Seyit, Director of the Forum on Australia’s Islamic Relations,
Dr Bobby Sayyid from Leeds University,
Professor Ralph Premdas from the University of the West Indies,
Mr Abdool Karim Vakil from Kings College London,
Professor Kapil Kumar of the Indira Gandhi National Open University,
Dr Pam Ryan, International Director, Psychologists and Social Workers without Borders.

 

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