The North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (NAAIMS) has issued a call for papers for a fall conference on "Islam, Ethics and Environment."
The conference will be held entirely online on November 19. Abstracts are due July 11.
For more information, visit https://naaims.org/55th-annual-conference. Also, see below.
CALL FOR PAPERS
The 55th Annual Conference of the North American Association of Islamic and
Muslim Studies (NAAIMS)
“Islam, Ethics and Environment”
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Cosponsored by:
Department of Theology
Fordham University, New York, NY
A Virtual Conference on Zoom
All Sessions held in Eastern Standard Time (UTC-05:00)
Deadlines:
Abstracts: July 11, 2026
Final Papers: October 20, 2026
How do Islamic ethical traditions engage contemporary environmental challenges? This conference invites reflection on the moral, theological, legal, and philosophical dimensions of the human relationship to the natural world. We welcome contributions that examine environmental questions, including water and air quality, resource use, and animal welfare, through sustained engagement with Islamic sources, concepts, and lived practices.
We invite a diverse range of papers from professors and advanced Ph.D. candidates in the humanities and social and natural sciences, addressing these serious issues. Papers may include, but are not limited to the subthemes listed below under 8 individual categories:
I. Foundational Ethical and Theological Frameworks (Formative and Classical Periods)
Qur’anic and Exegetical Treatments of Balance, Corruption, Reform, and Excess (Mīzān, Iṣlāḥ, Ifsād, Isrāf, Tabdhīr)
Reflections on Human Responsibility and Stewardship: Tree Planting as Charity (ṣadaqa); Gardens and Sacred Landscapes; and Natural Elements (Rivers, Droughts, Mountains, Deserts)
II. Historical and Legal Traditions (Pre-Modern and Early Modern Contexts)
Pre-modern Conservation Practices (ḥimā, ḥarīm, waqf)
Legal Regulation of Land, Water, and Shared Resources
III. Colonialism, Empire, and Ecological Disruption(Modern and Postcolonial Contexts)
Oil Economies; Modernity; Consumer Culture; Waste, and isrāf
IV. Applied and Contemporary Challenges
Climate Change, and Environmental Policy Debates in Muslim ContextsDeforestation and Sustainability; Air and Water Pollution; Water Scarcity; and Public Health
V. Faith-Based Initiatives and Ethical Practice
Environmental Justice as Lived Religious Practice: Mosque-based Sustainability Initiatives; Community Conservation Projects; and Grassroots Ecological MovementsIslamic NGOs and Environmental Advocacy
VI. Animal Ethics and Multispecies Relations (Across Historical Periods)
The Moral Status of Animals in Islamic Thought (e.g., Rights, Welfare, and Obligation)Contemporary Ethical Debates: Halal Slaughter; Industrial Farming and Mass Production; Animal Experimentation and Biomedical EthicsSacrifice, Violence, and Theological MeaningCompanion Animals and Evolving Moral Sensibilities
VII. Species-Specific Reflections
Wildlife Stewardship, Hunting Ethics, and BiodiversityLegal and Theological Debates Surrounding Specific Species (e.g., Dogs, Cats, Bees, Wolves)Symbolism and Moral Meaning of Animals in Scripture and Tradition
VIII. Comparative and Interdisciplinary Approaches
Cross-disciplinary Work Spanning Theology, Law, Philosophy, Social Sciences, and Environmental Studies: Comparative Approaches to Stewardship, Sustainability, and Moral Responsibility
Abstracts (250 words) Due July 11, 2026Abstracts will be evaluated according to the following criteria: clear data & methodology used, and relevance and contribution to conference theme. Abstracts must include a title; author’s full name; contact information; and university position (Professor or Ph.D. Candidate)Online Pre-Registration required by Panelists [Zoom link will be available on website]Final papers must be submitted by October 20, 2026.Send abstracts and final papers to Layla Sein, NAAIMS Executive Director at [email protected] Program Co-Chairs:
Dr. Kathryn Kueny, and
Dr. Iskander Abbasi
Fordham University, New York, NY
Call for Papers Overview:
Abstract Submission Instructions:
Abstracts must include “Title of Presentation,” Author’s Full Name and Contact Information, University Position, and Name and Address of University.
If a submission is co-authored, only one author can make the presentation, but co-authors will be listed on the abstract and in the program booklet.
Abstracts are reviewed and evaluated by the Conference Program Committee.
Abstracts must be submitted in MS Word (between 250-300 words) by July 11, 2026, to Layla Sein at [email protected].
Although NAAIMS is a membership-based organization, NAAIMS membership is not a requirement to submit an abstract proposal.
Online Pre-Registration is required by panelists. [ZOOM link will be sent to all participants to facilitate pre-registration process.]
Final papers must be submitted by October 20, 2026, to Layla Sein at [email protected].
Judging Criteria for Abstracts:
All abstracts are evaluated by the Program Committee according to the following criteria:
The conference will be held entirely online on November 19. Abstracts are due July 11.
For more information, visit https://naaims.org/55th-annual-conference. Also, see below.
CALL FOR PAPERS
The 55th Annual Conference of the North American Association of Islamic and
Muslim Studies (NAAIMS)
“Islam, Ethics and Environment”
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Cosponsored by:
Department of Theology
Fordham University, New York, NY
A Virtual Conference on Zoom
All Sessions held in Eastern Standard Time (UTC-05:00)
Deadlines:
Abstracts: July 11, 2026
Final Papers: October 20, 2026
How do Islamic ethical traditions engage contemporary environmental challenges? This conference invites reflection on the moral, theological, legal, and philosophical dimensions of the human relationship to the natural world. We welcome contributions that examine environmental questions, including water and air quality, resource use, and animal welfare, through sustained engagement with Islamic sources, concepts, and lived practices.
We invite a diverse range of papers from professors and advanced Ph.D. candidates in the humanities and social and natural sciences, addressing these serious issues. Papers may include, but are not limited to the subthemes listed below under 8 individual categories:
I. Foundational Ethical and Theological Frameworks (Formative and Classical Periods)
Qur’anic and Exegetical Treatments of Balance, Corruption, Reform, and Excess (Mīzān, Iṣlāḥ, Ifsād, Isrāf, Tabdhīr)
Reflections on Human Responsibility and Stewardship: Tree Planting as Charity (ṣadaqa); Gardens and Sacred Landscapes; and Natural Elements (Rivers, Droughts, Mountains, Deserts)
II. Historical and Legal Traditions (Pre-Modern and Early Modern Contexts)
Pre-modern Conservation Practices (ḥimā, ḥarīm, waqf)
Legal Regulation of Land, Water, and Shared Resources
III. Colonialism, Empire, and Ecological Disruption(Modern and Postcolonial Contexts)
Oil Economies; Modernity; Consumer Culture; Waste, and isrāf
IV. Applied and Contemporary Challenges
Climate Change, and Environmental Policy Debates in Muslim ContextsDeforestation and Sustainability; Air and Water Pollution; Water Scarcity; and Public Health
V. Faith-Based Initiatives and Ethical Practice
Environmental Justice as Lived Religious Practice: Mosque-based Sustainability Initiatives; Community Conservation Projects; and Grassroots Ecological MovementsIslamic NGOs and Environmental Advocacy
VI. Animal Ethics and Multispecies Relations (Across Historical Periods)
The Moral Status of Animals in Islamic Thought (e.g., Rights, Welfare, and Obligation)Contemporary Ethical Debates: Halal Slaughter; Industrial Farming and Mass Production; Animal Experimentation and Biomedical EthicsSacrifice, Violence, and Theological MeaningCompanion Animals and Evolving Moral Sensibilities
VII. Species-Specific Reflections
Wildlife Stewardship, Hunting Ethics, and BiodiversityLegal and Theological Debates Surrounding Specific Species (e.g., Dogs, Cats, Bees, Wolves)Symbolism and Moral Meaning of Animals in Scripture and Tradition
VIII. Comparative and Interdisciplinary Approaches
Cross-disciplinary Work Spanning Theology, Law, Philosophy, Social Sciences, and Environmental Studies: Comparative Approaches to Stewardship, Sustainability, and Moral Responsibility
Abstracts (250 words) Due July 11, 2026Abstracts will be evaluated according to the following criteria: clear data & methodology used, and relevance and contribution to conference theme. Abstracts must include a title; author’s full name; contact information; and university position (Professor or Ph.D. Candidate)Online Pre-Registration required by Panelists [Zoom link will be available on website]Final papers must be submitted by October 20, 2026.Send abstracts and final papers to Layla Sein, NAAIMS Executive Director at [email protected] Program Co-Chairs:
Dr. Kathryn Kueny, and
Dr. Iskander Abbasi
Fordham University, New York, NY
Call for Papers Overview:
Abstract Submission Instructions:
Abstracts must include “Title of Presentation,” Author’s Full Name and Contact Information, University Position, and Name and Address of University.
If a submission is co-authored, only one author can make the presentation, but co-authors will be listed on the abstract and in the program booklet.
Abstracts are reviewed and evaluated by the Conference Program Committee.
Abstracts must be submitted in MS Word (between 250-300 words) by July 11, 2026, to Layla Sein at [email protected].
Although NAAIMS is a membership-based organization, NAAIMS membership is not a requirement to submit an abstract proposal.
Online Pre-Registration is required by panelists. [ZOOM link will be sent to all participants to facilitate pre-registration process.]
Final papers must be submitted by October 20, 2026, to Layla Sein at [email protected].
Judging Criteria for Abstracts:
All abstracts are evaluated by the Program Committee according to the following criteria:
Methodology: Clear Outline of Theories, Models or Approaches
Relevance of Abstract to Conference Theme
Main Argument of Paper: Its Contribution to Subject Matter
Recommendations: Broad Implications Based on Research & Overall Findings
Relevance of Abstract to Conference Theme
Main Argument of Paper: Its Contribution to Subject Matter
Recommendations: Broad Implications Based on Research & Overall Findings
Conference Category: Panel Sessions
This conference includes three panel sessions centered around the annual theme: “Islam, Ethics and Environment”
Each session consists of 3 panelists and a discussant who also serves as the Panel Chair.
Each panelist has 15 minutes for his/her presentation. At end of the 3 presentations, the discussant has 15 minutes for comments before floor is opened for a Q & A Session. The duration of each panel session is 90 minutes.
The fact that there are only 2 panel sessions, panelists may participate in only one panel session.
Notification of acceptance or rejection will be provided to individuals by mid July 2026, following the Program Committee’s review of abstract submissions.
Final Papers:
Papers are to be submitted to Layla Sein at [email protected] by October 20, 2026. A working paper with footnotes or endnotes is acceptable. There is no need to include a bibliography.
NAAIMS does not publish or make conference papers available to conference attendees or the general public.
Final Papers will ONLY be provided to the “panel discussant” of each respective panel session.
This conference includes three panel sessions centered around the annual theme: “Islam, Ethics and Environment”
Each session consists of 3 panelists and a discussant who also serves as the Panel Chair.
Each panelist has 15 minutes for his/her presentation. At end of the 3 presentations, the discussant has 15 minutes for comments before floor is opened for a Q & A Session. The duration of each panel session is 90 minutes.
The fact that there are only 2 panel sessions, panelists may participate in only one panel session.
Notification of acceptance or rejection will be provided to individuals by mid July 2026, following the Program Committee’s review of abstract submissions.
Final Papers:
Papers are to be submitted to Layla Sein at [email protected] by October 20, 2026. A working paper with footnotes or endnotes is acceptable. There is no need to include a bibliography.
NAAIMS does not publish or make conference papers available to conference attendees or the general public.
Final Papers will ONLY be provided to the “panel discussant” of each respective panel session.