Symposium explores slavery, liberation and Islamic law

Scholars from around the world came together Oct. 5 for a special symposium titled Slavery, Liberation and Islamic Law in the Middle East and Beyond. Organized by Professor Behnaz Mirzai of the Department of History, the symposium explored the subject of slavery, abolition and its legacies in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa within the framework of Islamic tradition. Presentations explored the institution of slavery from the perspectives of cultural, legal and colonial history. A tour of the Niagara region connected the theme of slavery to Niagara’s history of Harriet Tubman and abolition in Canada. The conference proceedings will be available through a planned publication.