Speaker: Prof. Laura Elder
Discussant: Prof. Raees Baig
Registration: https://bit.ly/2OMjp4P

Abstract:
Islamic finance is often represented as an attempt to reassert moral and political control within capital markets.  Drawing on fieldwork in the Middle East and in Southeast Asia, I dissect these claims by examining the practices, policies, and politics of experts working in the field of Islamic banking. First, I explore the practices of new “Sharia Superstars” in the field of finance.  Next I delve into powerful public-private partnerships as they extend and deepen financial intermediation across these regions.  And finally, I examine Islamic feminist activism in response to these powerful new formations.

Speaker's biography:
Laura Elder is a cultural anthropologist and Associate Professor of Global Studies at Saint Mary's College as well as a Fellow at the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies in Notre Dame, Indiana, USA


This seminar is co-presented by Gender Research Centre, Gender Studies Programme, Centre of Urban History, Culture and Media, Centre for Study of Islamic Culture of The Chinese University of Hong Kong