IFF’s commitment to supporting the advancement of women and children and promoting awareness of culture and heritage inspired us to collaborate with the University of Birmingham’s Edward Cadbury Centre for Public Understanding of Religion in collaboration with Jamia Millia Islamia to deliver the first of our new series of hybrid conferences on Women and Religion on July 17, 2024, combining virtual sessions via Zoom with in-person gatherings at the Nishkam Civic Association, Birmingham. It was an inspirational session with some 200 participants from all over the world joining us.
Shraddha Singh, a member of the organizing committee, set the tone by graciously welcoming a diverse array of participants and esteemed speakers. She introduced with warmth the conference co-conveners, Professor Andrew Davies and Dr. Juhi Gupta. Professor Davies eloquently expounded upon the Edward Cadbury Centre’s foundational principles and its visionary role within the academic landscape of the University of Birmingham. Dr. Juhi Gupta, in turn, artfully delineated the collaborative efforts with Jamia Millia Islamia and the Inclusive Futures Foundation, offering a glimpse into the future trajectory of this pivotal conference series.
The academic discourse commenced with the enlightening presentation by Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, a distinguished personality in Sikh Studies at the University of Birmingham. With profound insights, she illuminated the nuanced intersection of Sikhism and the role of women, and illuminated the intricate relationship between Sikhism and the empowerment of women, captivating the audience with her presentation. A spirited exchange of questions and answers ensued, characterized by Professor Jhutti-Johal’s gracious engagement.
Subsequently, Professor Shah Alam, Associate Professor at IMS Unison University School of Mass Communication, introduced the learned Professor Deborah Sybil from the Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia. Professor Sybil delivered a meticulously crafted presentation on the portrayal of women in Christianity as depicted through the rich tapestry of Biblical narratives. Her scholarly discourse was underscored by a detailed analysis that captivated the audience’s intellectual curiosity, culminating in an insightful session of Q&A where Professor Sybil offered profound responses.
Following a brief intermission that allowed for scholarly reflection, Nalini Bhattar, another member of the organizing committee, introduced the brilliant Miss Chloe MacPhee, an emerging scholar from the University of Birmingham. Miss MacPhee offered thought-provoking perspectives on the understanding of marriage promoted by the Evangelical tradition in Western Christianity, asking whether some traditional teachings on marriage misinterpret the biblical texts and promote misogyny and suggesting that alternative readings of the Bible could promote greater equality whilst remaining true to the scriptures and traditions of Christianity. Her session was punctuated by an engaging in-depth dialogue with the audience, where Miss MacPhee demonstrated remarkable insight and depth of understanding.