Conference: Rupture or Continuity in Sharīʿa: (De)Colonizing Sharīʿa? International Conference, Centre for Islamic Studies (ISAM), Istanbul, Turkiye, June 9–11, 2027

Islamic Law, sharīʿa, is often seen as having been heavily influenced and crucially changed during two major transitional periods: from pre-colonial to colonial rule and from colonial to post-colonial rule, each viewed from different perspectives. The encounter between European colonialism and sharīʿa, which formed the backbone of pre-colonial legal systems, has had a profound impact that persists today. The introduction of modern European-style legal systems, some scholars argue, led to the complete abolition of sharīʿa, marking a break from the pre-colonial, premodern “authentic” Islamic law (Ahmed 2017: 208-229). State-led codification, seen as part of ‘modernization’, supposedly caused law to shift “from jurists’ law to statutory law” (Layish 2004). Leaders of the “rupture camp” (Schacht 1964: 103; Hallaq 2004: 26; Layish 2004: 91-92; Hamoudi 2010) have argued that premodern Islamic jurisprudence lost its multivocality and has become a common theme in scholarship and political debates about Islamic law (Burak 2019: 391). Conversely, advocates of the “continuity camp” view the legal changes seen in Muslim societies as evidence of sharīʿa’s flexibility rather than its demise. They see codification, for example, as a sign of sharīʿa’s vitality and ability to adapt to changing circumstances (Coulson 1964: 148-150; Anderson 1976: 64-65; Shahar 2022: 891; Fierro 2014; Burak 2019: 393). Therefore, the role, position, and form of sharīʿa at the dawn of ‘modernity,’ during colonialism and political independence, still require thorough examination.

The conference will be organized by the “(De)Colonizing Sharīʿa?” ERC-Advanced Project in collaboration with the ISAM (Centre of Islamic Studies) in Istanbul from June 9-11, 2027. The working language of the conference will be English. The organizers will cover traveling expenses, accommodation, and meals. To apply, please submit an abstract of 300 words maximum via this online form. The deadline for submissions is June 29th, 2026. Please address any questions or concerns to: [email protected]