Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific
  Bridging Information, Knowledge, and Cultures toward a Balanced View of Islam

  School of Pacific and Asian Studies, University of Hawai'i-Mānoa


29 October 2010 Issue 45
Dear Loyal Readers:

It has come to our attention that there have been some problems with the fonts, block spacing, and color formatting of our weekly announcement. Our social media provider has recently changed the design interface for this newsletter program and we are working through some of those design changes now. We appreciate your patience with us as we continue to work to bring you weekly information on Muslim societies in Asia and the Pacific.

Aloha,

Your Humble Editor  



ALOHA


Hajj Mecca


As we go to press many Muslims around the world are busy preparing to perform the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam. In this issue, we bring you background stories on the Hajj, which occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah on the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar.

 

  Hajj

 

mina jabrahMany describe the Hajj as a humbling experience; a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.There are three different ways to perform the Hajj.  


Korban

Many religions include unique ceremonial practices carried out over the course of a pilgrimage. In Islam, one of the highlights of the Hajj is the Eid al-Adha celebration, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. This commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael for Allah. Today, an animal such as a goat, sheep, or cow is sacrificed and the meat shared among all on the Hajj.


Perhaps the most enriching understanding of the Hajj experience are the many personal writings contributed by those who have made the trip to Mecca. Here we include a number of them for your reference:


 "From Hollywood to Hajj", "My Sweet Memories from Hajj", "Hajj: The Journey of the Life Time", and "Hajj Stories".

 

Ihram: A State of Sacredness

The Ihram is a state of sacredness indicate when pilgrims started to wear two pieces of white cloth. The men must wrap the larger cloth around their waists to cover the body from the navel to the ankles, while the smaller piece is draped over the back and shoulders. As for the women however, they are allowed to enter Ihram in any dress they wish which as long as they fulfills the Islamic conditions of public dress, regardless of the color. Women's hands and face should be uncovered in Ihram. Their heads should be covered. The white cloth used for Ihram is intended to make everyone appear the same, as in the eyes of God there is no difference between a prince and a pauper when everyone is dressed equally. Ihram also contributes to a feeling of unity. To learn more about how to prepare for Ihram, please follow these links "Preparing for Ihram", "Muslims Enter the State of Ihram to Get Prepared for Hajj", and "How to Wear Ihram Garments for Hajj and Umrah".

Hajj Devotion:

Commitment and Challenges

 

Chinese HajjHajj devotion invites Muslims around the world to leaving their daily duties and love ones and embark on an amazing spiritual journey.  From China, about 13,000 "Chinese Muslim Pilgrims to Mecca" will leave China this year to perform their Hajj. In Thailand,"Phuket Muslims Prepare for Hajj" despite the political challenges that they face.  In 2007, Russian President "Putin Opens Mecca Path to Muslims", and this year it is expected that more than 20,000 "Russian Muslims go on Hajj". A complete listing of information related to this year's Hajj can be obtained from Ministry of Hajj, Saudi Arabia.



Islamic Studies at UH Mānoa

New Certificate Program


Islamic Studies

With a growing interest in Islam and Muslim societies around the world, the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa has taken the initiative to offer an undergraduate Certificate in Islamic Studies. Learn more about this opportunity from "Asia Expertise fuels Islamic Studies Program" and UH Manoa Catalog.


Events in Honolulu

 

Women's Studies Colloquium
George Hall 213

October 29, 12:30 p.m.


Hawaii Psychological Association Annual Convention
Ala Moana Hotel
October 29, 2010


Free Statewide eWaste Recycling Program
University of Hawai'i-Mānoa
October 30, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.


Blood Drive

Campus Center: Executive Dining Room

November 1, 8:00 a.m.


Teaching and Learning Indigenous Languages

UHM Center for Korean Studies Auditorium

November 3, 12:00 p.m.


Innovations in Planning for Livable Cities in Asia
Crawford 115 

November 5, 6:00pm
 

Film: "Beshkempir the Adopted Son"
East West Center
Sunday, November 7, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
 

 

Open Positions


Academic

Assistant Professor, Religious Studies - Indigenous Religions
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois

Last day to apply: 7 November 2010


Assistant Professor, History

Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
Last day to apply: November 15

   

Lecturer, South Asian Languages and Civilizations

University of Chicago, Illinois

Materials to be received: December 1, 2010


Assistant Professor, Central Eurasian Studies

Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana

Last day to apply: December 15 


Associate or Assistant Professor in Religious Studies

Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado
Last day to apply: 19 December, 2010


Sociology, Assistant and/or Associate Professor

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Last day to apply: 4 January 2011


Assistant Professor, South Asian Religions

 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Last day to apply: 19 January, 2011


Assistant Professor, Islamic or Buddhist or Confucian Religious Thought/Philosophy
Syracuse University, New York

Last day to apply: 1 May 2011


Community

 

Program Administrator

 American Jewish World Service

New York City

Last day to apply: November 5


Community Care Coordinator

Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community

Riverside, Rhode Island

Last day to apply: November 12


Development Assistant

Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community

Cumberland, Rhode Island

Last day to apply: November 12


Program Associate, Religious Diversity in Health Care

Tanenbaum

New York City

Last day to apply: November 14


Coordinator, Office of the Executive Vice President & CEO

Tanenbaum

New York City

Last day to apply: November 14


Development Coordinator

The Salvation Army Greenville, SC

Greenville, South Carolina

Last day to apply: November 15


Executive Director, Zen Hospice Project

Zen Hospice Project

San Francisco, California

Last day to apply: November 20


Organizer

Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Last day to apply: December 1


Conferences

 

42nd Asia Pacific Academic Consortium Conference
24 to 27 November 2010
Bali, Indonesia


Islamic Civilization - Potentials and Challenges
9 to 10 March 2011
Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract Deadline: 30 October 2010

 

Religion and Spirituality in Society Conference 2011

15 to 17 February 2011
Chicago, Illinois
Abstract Deadline: 4 November 2010


Center for Islamic Studies National Conference

17 to 19 February 2011
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Abstract Deadline: 5 November 2010


ACERP 2011 - The Asian Conference on Ethics, Religion and Philosophy

20 to 22 March 2011

Osaka, Japan

Abstarct Deadline: 1 December 2010


European Conference for Academic Disciplines

10 to 15 April 2011
Gottenheim near Freiburg, Germany
Abstract Deadline: 1 March 2011

 

American Canadian Conference for Academic Disciplines
23 to 26 May 2011
Toronto, Canada
Abstract Deadline: 18 March 2011

Fellowships & Scholarships

 

East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship

Application deadline: November 1

 

Ford Foundation, International Fellowships Program

Application deadline: November 1

 

Asian Development Bank-Government of Japan Scholarship
Application deadline: November 1

 

Asia Pacific Leadership Program

Application deadline: December 1


Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultural Studies
Application deadline: December 15

 

United States - South Pacific Scholarship

Application deadline: February 1

 

Southeast Asian Ministers of Education - Vietnam Scholarship
Application deadline: refer to the website

Stay Connected!

MSIA FacebookHave you checked out our face book page lately?  Check out our "wall" for the latest updates on Islam and civil society. Join us here!

twitter logoOn Twitter  we have upcoming events and news items, as well as application deadline reminders. Follow us here!

linked in logoOut in the job market? Join our group and stay informed on career opportunities related to your field. Link to us here!

vimeo logoLooking to use audiovisual media as part of your learning and/or research? Over time we will post videos related to the study of Muslim societies in Asia and the Pacific for your reference. Watch videoshere!

Join My Mailing List

Visit Our website!


IN THIS ISSUE
Hajj
Ihram
Islamic Studies at UHM
Events in Honolulu
Employment
Conferences
Fellowships
Stay Connected
Publications
Online Resources

PUBLICATIONS


Book: Hajj


Hajj

 by

Reem Al Faisal,

Sayyed Hossein Nast
 November 2009


Book: From Hajj to Hip Hop

Muslim Networks

from Hajj to Hip Hop

by
Miriam Cooke,

Bruce B. Lawrence
February 2005

 

Blessed cities of Islam


Blessed Cities of Islam:
Mecca-Medina

by

Omer Faruk Aksoy

November 2008


 

Hajj Children's book


Tell Me About Hajj

 by

Saniyasnain Khan 
March 2000


Book: 1001 Roads to Mecca


One Thousands Roads

to Mecca

 by
Michael Wolfe
 March 2007


Book: The Hajj


The Hajj
by
Francis Edwards Peters
 December 1995

 

ONLINE RESOURCES


CACI Silk Road Studies
The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies

 

Central Asia Institute

Central Asia Institute

 

globalization

Globalization and Muslim Societies


islamic humanitarian service logo

Islamic Humanitarian Service

  

islamic finance
Islamic Finance

 


ANU AccesAsia database online resource

  WWW Monitor ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

  

islamic finder

Islamic Finder

  

mandala seal 

South/Southeast Asian Library University of California Berkeley

  

oxford logo

Oxford Islamic Studies Online

  

co-exist
Muslim West Facts Project Gallup - Co-exist Foundation

  

muslimness logo

Muslimness.com


uyghur calligraphy

Meshrep.com on Uyghur culture


princeton online

Islamic Manuscripts Princeton University



islamic heritage project logo


soundvision logo
Translating the Untranslatable: A Survey of English Translations of the Quran by A.R. Kidwai


altmuslimah
Alt.Muslimah.com: Exploring both sides of the gender divide


wemc logo
Women's Empowerment in Muslim Contexts City University of Hong Kong


center for study of contemporary

Centre for the Study of Contemporary Muslim Societies University of Western Sydney


crcs logo
Center for Religious and Cross-cultural Studies Gadjah Mada University


pew 

Mapping the Global Muslim Population Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life


NBR logo

ACCESS ASIA National Bureau of Asian Research


muslim cambodian
Southeast Asian Forum on Islam and Democracy


diversity and conformity

Diversity and Conformity in Muslim Societies: Historical Coexistence and Contemporary Struggles

 


 English-language Online Newspapers


Al Jazeera: The Asia Blog

 
Bangkok Post
 
Bangladesh Today
 
Brunei Times
 
China Daily
 
China View
 
Daily Outlook Afghanistan
 
Daily Star (Bangladesh)
 
Daily Yomiuri Online
 
Dawn (Pakistan)
 
Haveeru Daily (Maldives)
 
Hindustan Times
 
Jakarta Post
 
Japan Times Online
 
JoongAng Daily
 
Korea Times
 
Mainichi Daily News
 
Maldives Chronicle
 
Manila Times
 
Mindanao Examiner - News blog
 
New Light of Myanmar
 
Myanmar Times


New Straits Times (Malaysia)
 
Philippine New Agency
 
Phnom Penh Post
 
Saudi Gazette
 
Shanghai Daily
 
Star (Malaysia)
 
Straits Times (Singapore)
 
Statesman (India)
 
Times of India
 
Viet Nam News

 


Academic Journals



 Contemporary Islam
 
Indonesia and the Malay World
 
Islamic Law & Society
 
Journal of Asian and African Studies
 
Journal of Islam in Asia
 
Journal of Islamic and Near Eastern Law
 
Journal of Islamic Studies
 
Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs


Journal of Religion



The Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific program at the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa, was established in 2009. It is funded in part by the State of Hawai'i Legislature, the School of Pacific and Asian Studies (SPAS), and the US Department of Education. MSAP seeks to serve as a national resource center for academics and the general public seeking information on Muslim societies in Asia and the Pacific.
 
Contact MSAP Program Coordinators
Email us | T: 808 956 6316| F: 808 956 2682 |Visit our website!