ISLAMIC LAW IN THE NEWS

• According to recent data recently reported by various outlets, “Islamic finance is today a $3.9 trillion industry spread over more than 80 countries with the bulk of it concentrated in very few markets.”
• India‘s Waqf Act Amendment bill has been reported to “allow for mandatory verification for all property claims by the Waqf Boards and change the composition and functioning of the boards, incorporating representation for women.” “From giving the government a big say in regulating waqf properties, redefining how a property is deemed to be in the possession of waqf to changing the composition of waqf boards in states, the [bill] is set to bring in key amendments to overhaul the regulatory framework of Muslim charitable endowments.”
• “In May 2024, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, signed a new regulation to enable the country’s religious organizations to become mining operators.”
• “One of the daughters of Dubai’s ruler announced her intent to seek a divorce in an Instagram post Wednesday, making Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the latest princess of the emirate to publicly counter the norms of her country — and of her father, the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai.”
• “KFC in Canada now requires nearly all of its Ontario restaurants to serve halal chicken and eliminate pork products,” which has simultaneously sparked controversy and attracted praise on social media.

CASES AND FATWĀS

• “Divorce in Islam should be handled with dignity, ideally before a Syariah Court judge, rather than through other methods such as live broadcasts on social media. Kelantan Mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad said marriage is a significant Islamic practice that should proceed peacefully, safely, and happily.”
• “Uzbekistan’s highest Islamic authority has revoked a fatwa against cryptocurrency, blaming “carelessness” for its appearance online and saying it is still studying the issue. The Fatwa Center of the Spiritual Directorate of Uzbekistan’s Muslims had originally said in a June 3 post on its website that cryptocurrencies do not meet Shari’a law standards for money.”

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Calendar:

• Call for Submissions: Pedagogy Files in Al-ʿUṣūr al-Wusṭā, September 1, 2024.
• Call for Papers: “Islamic Law and Social Movements,” 2025 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), September 9, 2024.
• Call for Proposals: Hot Topics Program, 2025 Association of American Law Schools Meeting, October 14, 2024.
• Conference: Law, colonialism and gender in the Muslim world, December 19-20, 2024.
• Conference: MESA 2025, Westin Downtown, Washington DC, November 22-25, 2025.
• Search for Editor: International Journal of Middle East Studies, until an appointment is made.
• Internship opportunity: The Executive Office of the President, White House, various deadlines.
• Position opening: Academic mentor and field researcher in Iraq, Cordoba Peace Institute-Geneva (CPI) & ETH Zurich, rolling basis.
• Position opening: Academic mentor for researcher in Mogadishu, Cordoba Peace Institute-Geneva (CPI) & ETH Zurich.
• Call for Papers: Special Section – Lifewriting Annual and Islam.
• Call for Manuscripts: Advances in the Study of Islam, Edinburgh University Press.