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Dear friends and colleagues,

This week we would like to draw your attention to two new publications, a webinar and an online conference. Moreover, we would like to introduce our new IT responsible to you. Besides that, we have a recommendation for you regarding the Leipzig International Weeks against Racism.

Enjoy and have a good week!

New contact person for IT matters: Jonathan Zachrau

Since March Jonathan Zachrau has been our new contact person here on site when it comes to IT matters. He works as a student assistant for the Data Processing Centre at Leipzig University (URZ) as IT support and a tutor for software. Jonathan continues the work of Robert Michael, who was our trusted IT contact person until the end of February. Jonathan will take care of your technical problems and questions and will be available at the KFG office on Thursdays from 9 a.m. til 2 p.m. If there should be an urgent technical problem, you can of course also reach him via e-mail.

Welcome, Jonathan! And thank you, Robert, for your always friendly and helpful support.

Webinar on "The Concept of 'the Civil State' and Transcending the Polar Contrast between 'the Secular State' and 'the Religious State'"

We would like to inform you that our Senior Research Fellow Housamedden Darwish will give a talk at the Center for Arab & Middle Eastern Studies at the American University of Beirut (AUB). The webinar on "The Concept of 'the Civil State' and Transcending the Polar Contrast between 'the Secular State' and 'the Religious State'" will be held in Arabic language on 18 March. The main discussant will be Bashshār Ḥaydar, Professor at the Department of Philosophy at AUB, while the discussion will be chaired by Sari Hanafi, Professor of Sociology at the AUB.

Date: 18 March | 5.00–7.00 p.m. (CET)

Online through WebEx link

Jahrestagung der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Religionswissenschaft (Annual Conference of the Swiss Society for the Study of Religions)

We would like to point to the Annual Conference of the Swiss Society for the Study of Religions entitled "Neue Klassiker*innen der Religionswissenschaft?" ("New Classics of Religious Studies?"). Once upon a time, the answer to the question "Who are the classics of religious studies?" was easy, as reference could be made to the same-titled volume by Axel Michaels. However, almost a quarter of a century has passed since its publication, and in view of the change in subjects and numerous turns, the question must be asked anew. This conference will look at contributions that propose new candidates for this compilation. It will take place online, conference languages are German, French and English. If you would like to attend, please register via e-mail.

12 March | 10.00 a.m.–6.00 p.m.

13 March | 9.00 a.m.–1.30 p.m.

Online via Zoom (Link after Registration)

"Solidarität. Grenzenlos"/Leipziger Internationale Wochen gegen Rassismus ("Solidarity. Boundless"/Leipzig International Weeks against Racism)

A variety of event formats characterises the programme of this year's International Weeks against Racism taking place in Leipzig from 15 to 28 March. The kick-off event will take place on 15 March in Lene-Voigt-Park, where a poster with an anti-racist motif will be created along the wall of the park. However, the majority of the events will take place online including discussion forums, workshops, lectures, readings and online cinema. On topics such as non-discriminatory administration, anti-racism education in schools, solidarity between religions in Leipzig and many more, interested people can find out more and take part in discussions. A few offers are planned as face-to-face events such as open air short films on the nationwide campaign theme "Solidarity. Boundless" in various public places as well as guided tours through museums, libraries and the city – of course just as long as the Corona situation allows for it.

The International Weeks are organised by the City of Leipzig, Department for Migration and Integration in cooperation with the Antidiscrimination Office Saxony e. V.

Date: 15 – 28 March

Online and Face-to-Face

Registration required for many of the events

If you have any content that you think suits the purpose of the weekly, please feel free to send it to us at multiple-secularities@uni-leipzig.de.