MUSLIM FUTURISM:
DEFINITIONS, EXPLORATIONS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
MIPSTERZ, in partnership with Colorado College, Duke University, University of Miami, Columbia University, and the Center for Afrofuturist Studies, hosted a virtual conference which took place between January 21-23, 2022, entitled: “Muslim Futurism: Definitions, Explorations, and Future Directions.” MIPSTERZ is a nonprofit arts and culture collaborative focused on curating, enabling, and amplifying Muslim creative voices.
THIS CONFERENCE
AIMS TO :
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Define Muslim Futurism as an idea, aesthetic, and framework
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Explore the potential, reach, and intersection of Muslim futurism(s) in imagining a
Muslim future
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Provide and develop ways to expand our knowledge on Muslim futures
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Be simultaneously rigorous and accessible to a broad audience
Muslim Futurism attempts to imagine a utopian future free from the hegemonic and oppressive realities of anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, orientalism, homo-trans phobias, sexism, ableism, settler colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, militarism, supremacy-nativism, and
everything in between. Inspired by and building upon Afrofuturism, we hope to create conversations centered on five themes: imagination, identity, community, resistance, and liberation. We have broadly defined these themes here:
“Imagination” examines the expression of cultural aesthetics and celebrations of joy related to a utopian future as reflected in science-fiction, surrealism, magical realism, mythology, and fantasy.
“Identity” examines identity creation and the effects of hegemonic structures on personhood, dignity, and thriving in all forms (gender, sexuality, racial, cultural, social, economic, etc).
“Community” explores social variables that have led to the coalescing of individuals around shared values (e.g. cosmopolitanism, social consciousness) and the contribution of the individual.
“Resistance” aspires toward a Muslim future free from oppression and draws parallels to the anti-racist, social/gender justice, and progressive struggles and movements against colonialism, imperialism, white supremacy, and other forms of systemic oppression.
“Liberation” borrows from liberation movements (Islamic, Latinx, Black, indigenous, etc.) to illustrate what a “free” existence and utopia mean and for whom.
This is an academic conference held with the goal of translating these ideas to a wider public. All presentations will be recorded and available as part of an online archive. The archive will be incorporated future public programs and an immersive art experience; more information can be found at muslimfuturism.com.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2022
ALL PAPER TITLES & ABSTRACTS
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Conference attendance was free and open to the public. Registration and Abstract submissions are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted and attended!
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SPONSORS & ORGANIZERS
Support for this conference as part of the ALHAMDU immersive art experience is provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program. The mission of the Building Bridges Program is to support national efforts, working with U.S. Muslims, to increase mutual understanding and well-being among diverse populations for the benefit of building stronger, inclusive communities. Additional support provided by the Arabic, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies group and Art Department at Colorado College, Duke Islamic Studies Center at Duke University, the Center for Global Black Studies, the Department of Religious Studies and Hajja Razia Sharif Sheikh Featured Speaker Series in Islamic Studies at the University of Miami, Center for the Study of Muslim Societies under the Middle East Institute at Columbia University, and the Center for Afrofuturist Studies.