The International Qur’anic Studies Association’s 2021 Annual Meeting held online in San Antonio, Texas concluded last week, marking IQSA’s 15th conference held in conjunction with the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion. The 2021 Annual Meeting was the first of its kind—a hybrid conference with both in person and virtual attendees in response to the continued Covid-19 health situation.
All recorded sessions as participant permission allows will be available on-demand through January 31, 2022 to registered attendees. These recordings are available through the mobile app and online planner. If you missed a session, or want to rewatch a panel or presentation, be sure to do so before the videos expire!
In addition, find the conference schedule, abstracts, bios, and IQSA’s Annual Reports in the 2021 IQSA Program Book. IQSA is grateful for its sponsors whose support make the organization’s programming possible!
Finally, IQSA would love to see pictures or screenshots from this year’s events! Please send or share images to contactus@iqsaweb.org, or tag @iqsaweb and use #IQSA21 on social media.
In addition, don’t forget to prepare for the meeting ahead of time!
Have you downloaded the Virtual Meetings planner yet? If not, please follow the instructions here.
Don’t want to download the app, but would prefer to use your desktop? Please go here.
To log into the planner you’ll need the last name used with your registration and your reference number.
Are you presenting in or presiding over an IQSA session? Be sure to check out the documents specific to presenter and presider instructions, as well as the general attendee FAQ
Whether you’re attending in person or virtually, IQSA wants to see your photos and hear your thoughts! Use #IQSA21 and tag @iqsaweb
Questions? Email contactus@iqsaweb.org. We look forward to seeing you at IQSA’s 15th Annual Meeting!
IQSA looks forward to gathering next week both in person and virtually to convene its 15th Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the Society of Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion. For those participants joining us virtually, please find important information about online tools and technical support below:
Using the mobile app or interactive web version of the virtual planner will allow you to easily access event sessions, speakers, exhibitors, and organizer messages for the 2021 IQSA Annual Meeting. Download the native app to personalize your schedule, take notes, share contacts, and more! To log into the Virtual Annual Meetings Platform, you will use your registration Reference Number as your username, and your last name as your password.
RSVP to IQSA’s 2021 Annual Meeting General Reception!
The 2021 IQSA Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the Society of Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion in San Antonio, Texas from November 19–22 is only one week away! One of the highlights of the IQSA Annual Meeting is its General Reception following the Presidential Address, an opportunity for IQSA members convene over food and drink in a causal setting.
This year’s General Reception will be held in person on Friday, November 19th from 8:00 – 10:00pm offsite. If you are registered for the Annual Meeting and plan on attending the General Reception, please RSVP here. Location and other details will be sent to all registrants via email.
Date: Saturday November 20, 2021 Time: Lunch Reception, 11:30am-1pm Venue: In Person, TBA (Off-site)
This will be a valuable opportunity for graduate students and emerging scholars to mingle with established experts in Qur’anic studies in a more relaxed setting–with a light lunch in a semi-private dining area.
IQSA is committed to fostering community in Qur’anic studies by supporting students on their path to professional success and encouraging collaboration across generations, all of which are vital to the advancement of knowledge in our field.
Annual Meeting Updates: Letter from the SBL Executive Director
Friends of IQSA—please find a message from the Executive Director of our affiliate organization, the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), with important updates regarding this year’s Annual Meeting to be held in San Antonio, Texas.
6 August 2021
Dear Colleagues,
SBL recognizes that the coronavirus continues to impact your planning for the Annual Meeting, and comfort levels, health constraints, and accessibility will vary from person to person. We have worked hard to be able to offer both in-person and virtual-only options. We thank all who are currently registered for the upcoming SBL Annual Meeting 2021 and offer a brief update to those registered or planning to register.
The continuing uncertainty is a source of anxiety for everyone. At the same time, we are being careful not to rush into decisions in the midst of a rapidly changing situation.
Your health and safety are key to our planning. We are closely monitoring governmental and medical recommendations regarding COVID-19 and the Delta variant in order to follow best practices to help reduce your exposure and risk. As we get closer to the meeting, we will issue protocols appropriate to the situation.
We will be as flexible as possible to accommodate the varying needs of members. Already we are taking the following steps:
The change date for registrations, including full refunds or change in registration types, has been extended to 21 October 2021. You can register now and alter your plans as you see fit through that date with no penalty.
We will continue to work with program unit chairs to adapt sessions according to the changing needs of presenters.
As guidance changes, we will continue to keep the Annual Meetings website up-to-date with meeting requirements, recommendations, and best practices. The challenge of planning for the 2021 Annual Meetings is one that exceeds even that of 2020. We ask for your continued patience as we work to provide the best and safest experience that meets your needs.
Reminder: Complete the IQSA Meeting Survey by February 28!
Friends of IQSA,
As our organization plans its upcoming meetings and conferences, we need YOUR feedback on everything from past formats to features to further IQSA’s mission of bringing scholars from the globe together to advance the academic study of the Qur’an.
To that end, please complete this *short* (15 question) survey, which asks for your insights on our regular annual meetings. The survey will close at the end of the month on February 28, 2021, so don’t delay!
This survey is intended to be filled out by active IQSA members only. If your membership is not active, please renew it ASAP at members.iqsaweb.org.
As a learned society, IQSA is committed to understanding its members’ opinions and shaping our academic activities in a way that responds appropriately to them and advances our mission. To that end, we are turning to you for input on our meetings. This *short* (15 question) survey asks you to offer insights on our regular annual meetings.
Please complete the survey as soon as possible and in any case before February 1, 2021. The survey is to be filled out by active IQSA members only. If your membership is not active, please renew it ASAP at members.iqsaweb.org.
Given the continued risk and danger due to the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), the Boston Annual Meeting 2020, originally scheduled November 22-25, has been cancelled and moved online. The meeting will be 100% virtual and hosted by our affiliate, the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).
While an online meeting cannot fully replace the multi-faceted benefits of meeting in person, IQSA is optimistic about the new opportunities this brings its members and guests, especially colleagues with limited access to funds to travel or face travel restrictions.
The online meeting will widen access for members without funding or resources to attend an in-person meeting, including international members, students, adjunct and contingent faculty, and independent scholars. It will open up possibilities for both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) participation. It will allow attendees to avoid the inevitable scheduling conflicts that prevent participation in sessions of interest. We are exploring options to allow some presenters to pre-record presentations. The executive office is working directly with SBL and can offer the following preliminary guidance to virtual presenters and attendees:
* The new meeting schedule will be extended to avoid potential timing conflicts, time zone limitations, and religious and Thanksgiving holidays. The meeting will take place Monday – Thursday over two weeks. The new dates are November 30 – December 3 and December 7 – 10, from 9AM to 9PM EST / 1PM to 1AM ECT.
* Conference attendees will have access to recorded presentations through a meeting application for approximately one month.
* Conference attendees will have access to a virtual book exhibit, including the possibility of meeting virtually with publishers.
* We are working on holding virtual receptions, business meeting and committee meetings.
* The IQSA Program Book AM 2020 will be published online as normal. No print copies will be available.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Standing Committees, and our partners we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all friends of IQSA. We understand these are challenging times, and offer our heartfelt gratitude for your patience and trust.
Sincerely,
Emran El-Badawi
Executive Director
July 17, 2020
Corovavirus Health Alert Updates (May 2020)
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As communities across the world feel the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic (Covid-19), we are mindful of the lives affected. It is during such extraordinary times of uncertainty that we remind you all, the International Qur’anic Studies Association is a community of scholars and friends. IQSA remains committed to its Mission and Vision, including fostering qur’anic scholarship, and holding regular meetings for scholars of the Qur’an. Ongoing health concerns and travel restrictions continue to pose challenges.
The Board is currently exploring the possibility of hosting online paper presentations alongside a much smaller in person Annual Meeting in Boston in November, 2020. The Board is in close contact with its affiliate, the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) and will explore all options to ensure a successful annual conference.
The presentation and discussion of members’ research during the year, accepted through a rigorous review by program units, is a core IQSA member service. We are aware that travel will be difficult or impossible for many members this year. We are committed to providing a venue for scholarly exchange so that every paper accepted has an opportunity for presentation.
Registration for the Annual Meeting is now open through the SBL website, and you can read a statement regarding this from SBL, including the provision that the registration fee is fully refundable.
The IQSA Board will continue inform our members of the path ahead at the earliest possibility.
We recognize that the circumstances could change between now and November, and we will advise membership on changes that may be necessary. If at all possible, please ensure to keep your IQSA membership up to date as well – we need your support in these trying times.
Sincerely,
Dr. Asma Hilali, President
Dr. Mehdi Azaiez
Dr. Karen Bauer
Dr. Shari Lowin
Dr. Johanna Pink
Dr. Devin Stewart
Dr. Sarra Tlili
Dr. Holger Zellentin, Chair
Dr. Suleman Dost, Secretary
Dr. Emran El-Badawi, Executive Director, Treasurer
Corovavirus Health Alert
Dear Colleagues,
The International Qur’anic Studies Association (IQSA) is monitoring the situation closely as the Covid-19 Coronavirus continues to impact communities throughout the globe. Our mission remains to foster Qur’anic Studies, bringing about peace and mutual understanding through scholarship. At this time, the health and safety of our members and friends is our highest priority.
We are aware that our members and their institutions have concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus. Most academic institutions have closed temporarily or moved to online instruction. Colleagues with health concerns are encouraged to follow the directives offered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC for the US, or their national equivalent elsewhere) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The restrictions imposed on travel by an increasing number of nations, while unfortunate, are a crucial measure to curb the growth of the virus. That being said travel restrictions do impact the convening of international conferences. Countless spring and summer meetings have been cancelled as a result. We remain in contact with our affiliates, including the Society of Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion, with whom our annual meetings are convened. Of immediate concern is the November 20-23, 2020 Annual Meeting to be held in Boston, MA, USA.
Registration does not typically open until mid-April. We hope to gain greater clarity on the situation between now and then. Nevertheless, we suggest that you postpone booking airfare that does not have flexible change policies until registration opens.
We hope the virus is contained soon, and urge everyone to exercise the utmost caution meanwhile. Should you have any questions or concerns please write contact@iqsaweb.org.
Sincerely,
Holger Zellentin, Chair
Emran El-Badawi, Executive Director
Deadline Approaching: IQSA 2020 Annual Meeting Paper Proposals
The deadline is approaching for the International Qur’anic Studies Association’s call for papers for its Annual Meeting to be held in Boston, Massachusetts from November 20–23, 2020! Paper proposals should be submitted through the SBL’s automated online submission system under the corresponding “Affiliates” link by March 11, 2020 (note: IQSA membership is required for proposal submission; see below). Submission links can be found below under the respective program units. If you require further information or experience difficulties with the submission process, please contact the chairs of the program unit to which you would like to apply.
Please note that all proposals must include:
Author name and affiliation
Paper title
400 word paper abstract (written in English)
Eligibility for proposal submissions is contingent upon the following:
Active IQSA membership is required at the time of proposal submission for the IQSA Program, and the membership status of all applicants will be checked prior to acceptance
Participants must maintain current IQSA Membership through their participation in the Annual Meeting
Please also note that:
To ensure equity and diversity amongst participants, participants should submit only one paper presentation per IQSA Annual Meeting
Participants will be required to register for the conference by submitting payment through SBL’s online submission system (users are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the “Super Saver” rates which end mid-May)
The Annual Meeting includes panels for each of IQSA’s eight program units:
Q: How do I register for the IQSA Annual Meeting?
A: To register for this year’s meeting, visit the SBL Annual Meeting Page and choose Register for the Annual Meeting. Then, complete a New Registration under the Affiliate Members category, and choose International Qur’anic Studies Association when prompted.
Q: What are the dates of IQSA’s Annual Meeting?
A: The IQSA Annual Meeting begins and ends November 22-25, 2019 one day before the regular SBL/AAR Meeting.
Q: How do I register for the Annual Meeting as an IQSA member?
A: Register as an AFFILIATE MEMBER on SBL’s Meetings and Events page. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the Affiliate link and choose “International Qur’anic Studies Association” in the drop-down menu.
Q: Do I have to be an IQSA member to register for the Annual Meeting?
A: YES – current IQSA membership is required and verified by staff upon registration. However, SBL/AAR membership is not required to attend the IQSA Annual Meeting. You can renew your IQSA membership HERE.
Q: I already registered for the Annual Meeting as an SBL/AAR member. Do I have to register again as an affiliate to attend IQSA events?
A: No – duplicate registration is not required to attend IQSA events if one has already registered as an SBL/AAR member. However, you must register as an active IQSA member if you are presenting at an IQSA session.
Q: Where can I find a schedule of events for the Annual Meeting?
A: IQSA and SBL/AAR’s Program Book will be distributed in print and online as the meeting date draws closer. Members can chose to access the Program Book via mobile app, online, or in print while completing the registration process.
Q: Where can I find information about Housing and Travel Accommodations?
A: Visit SBL’s Meetings and Events page and/or choose your hotel during your online registration.
Q: Does IQSA provide funding or reimbursement for its members to attend the meeting?
A: At this time, IQSA does not have the resources to provide financial assistance for housing and travel at the Annual Meeting. However, IQSA encourages its members to seek financial aid through institutional grants and other funding.
Q: I will be traveling internationally. How do I obtain a non-immigrant Visa Letter? A: Check the required box during online registration (see below) and email contact@iqsaweb.org to arrange for a Visa Letter.
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