Call For Papers: Samyukta: A Journal of Gender & Culture

Samyukta: A Journal of Gender & Culture is glad to announce a different kind of Call For Papers for an academic journal which has so far been engaged in bringing forth analytical pieces of critical thought pertaining to Gender and Cultural Studies. This unique call evolved from the deliberations and discussions generated by the previous issue of the journal which was on Islamic Feminism (January –-2017 Vol. XVII No.1) guest edited by the distinguished scholar, Prof. Margot Badran.

As academicians, the present political turmoil also provokes us to recognize how Islamophobic public discourses have been furthering communal distrust and divide.

This special issue of Samyukta intends to focus on creative voices from the Islamic world that would provide an insight into the life worlds that we perceive to be different by matter of faith. It is by design that we use the term Islamic world in lieu of Muslim world; to keep the call open for all voices that adhere to/engage with Islam; rather than to use battered media categorizations that would limit the call to specific geographic locations or cultural specificities that are usually only seen as Arab and hence Muslim.

Hence we invite creative articulations; poetry, short stories, personal narratives, or if appropriate; even speeches or tracts written addressing the condition of being Muslim. In short any creative/ non- academic writing that could throw more light into the contending realities of the ‘Islamic world’ is welcome. Creative pieces could be on any area of Islamic/Muslim life from any part of the world.

This special issue will be guest edited by Dr. Varsha Basheer, a scholar activist from India. At present she focuses on exploring Islamic and Decolonial Feminisms, as well as Islamophobia in the Indian Media.

Kindly email your submissions to the guest editor at varshabasheer@gmail.com. Also, provide a brief bio at the end of your piece. This issue is planned for publication in November 2017. Submissions will be accepted till 31st October 2017.