Seminar Overview
What is religious freedom?
Is religious freedom essential for or inimical to Islam?
What are the implications of religious freedom for individual fidelity and for faith communities?
What do the Quran, Hadith, and Muslim scholars past and present say about religious freedom?

The Islam and Civil Society Seminar is a week-long program for university students and professionals in Islam-related fields of study and work. In a small seminar setting, led by scholars, religious leaders, and experienced policy makers, participants will explore the intersection of Islam and religious freedom. This will include Muslim perspectives on faith and religious freedom, U.S. government policies on religious freedom at home and abroad, modern social-science research about the relationship of religious freedom to societal and individual well being, and perspectives on religious freedom in philosophy and among other faiths. The seminar will address religious freedom issues facing Muslim minorities, Muslim dissenters in Muslim-majority areas, and non-Muslims living in areas with Muslim populations. Also we will consider proselytization, conversion, apostasy, and blasphemy. Participation in the seminar will include completing preparatory reading, attending lectures, and participation in discussions.

Seminar Director:
Jennifer Bryson, Director, Islam and Civil Society Project, The Witherspoon Institute

Seminar Leaders:
Thomas Farr, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service
Abdullah Saeed, University of Melbourne
Asma Uddin, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

Guest Speakers:
Robert P. George, Princeton University
Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, Zaytuna Institute
Paul Marshall, Hudson Institute

Location and Accommodations
The seminar will take place July 25 - 30, 2010 on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Participants will reside and eat on campus. Halal meals will be served.

Registration Fee
For applicants accepted to the seminar, a registration fee will be required: $100 for students, $300 for non-students. Registration fees are required by May 1, 2010.

Application Instructions
Please send the following via email to islamproject@winst.org by April 1, 2010. Applicants can expect to be notified of decisions no later than April 15, 2010.

1. A 500-word letter explaining your interests and experience related to the seminar topic.
2. Curriculum vitae, including full name, dates of graduation, postal address, e-mail, and phone number.
3. A recommendation from a professor or supervisor. Recommendations can be emailed to islamproject@winst.org.