In June, the team participated in the European Academy of Religion Annual Conference, held at the University of St. Andrews. Prof. Sanseverino was the representative Muslim theologian at the opening ceremony, held at the Younger Hall. In his opening remarks, Prof. Sanseverino argued that the academic study of Islamic Theology in Europe offers refreshed potential in addressing the question over the role of religion in facing the challenges of preserving and developing an European identity in the context of a progressively multi-polar world, located between giants like the US, China, Russia, and India. Given the diverse Muslim populations of Europe, what role should Islam play in addressing such questions of identity? He spoke, likewise, of the importance of the project of the St. Andrews Encyclopedia of Religion in providing a common theological source of reference. Finally, he spoke of the inspiring role of the late Prof. Christof Schwöbel, mentioning his own learning experience in his encounters with the late Prof. Schwöbel, “who showed me what it means to do theology in an academic way, with both clarity and depth”.

As contributors to the forthcoming St. Andrews Encyclopedia of Religion, Prof. Sanseverino and Sinani spoke of their research in recorded interviews, which will be used to promote the content of the new Encyclopedia. The three scholars presented other aspects of their work on hadith hermeneutics, sira, Sufism and problematic hadiths at St. Mary’s College, which hosted the majority of presentations focusing on Islamic theology. 

These conference participations were not only occasions to promote the work of the Chair, but also an opportunity to bring the research of the Chair into conversations with scholars of different institutions, with publishers, and theologians of different faith traditions.