Research publications
Research publications
Books
2019

Akbar, Ali and Saeed, Abdullah. Contemporary Approaches to the Qur’an and its Interpretation in Iran. Routledge, 2019.
This book sets out how contemporary Iranian scholars have approached the Qur’an during recent decades. It particularly aims to explore the contributions of scholars that have emerged in the post 1979-revolution era, outlining their primary interpretive methods and foundational theories regarding the reading of the Qur’an.
Examining issues such as the status of women, democracy, freedom of religion and human rights, this book analyses the theoretical contributions of several Iranian scholars, some of which are new to the English-speaking academy. The hermeneutical approaches of figures such Abdolkarim Soroush, Muhammad Mojtahed Shabestari, Mohsen Kadivar, Hasan Yousefi-Eshkevari, Abolqasem Fanaie and Mostafa Malekian are presented and then analysed to demonstrate how a contextualist approach to the Qu’ran has been formed in response to the influence of Western Orientalism. The effect of this approach to the Qu’ran is then shown to have wide-ranging effects on Iranian society.
2018

Saeed, Abdullah. Human Rights and Islam: An Introduction to Key Debates between Islamic Law and International Human Rights Law. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018.
Is there a basis for human rights in Islam? Beginning with an exploration of what rights are and how the human rights discourse developed, Abdullah Saeed explores the resources that exist within Islamic tradition. He looks at those that are compatible with international human rights law and can be garnered to promote and protect human rights in Muslim-majority states. A number of rights are given specific focus, including the rights of women and children, freedom of expression and religion, as well as jihad and the laws of war. Human Rights and Islam emphasises the need for Muslims to rethink problematic areas of Islamic thought that are difficult to reconcile with contemporary conceptions of human rights.
2016

Saeed, Abdullah. Al-Qran Abad 21: Tafsir Kontextual. Mizan, 2016.
This book highlights the development of interpretation of the Koran and raises the latest debates about new approaches to interpretation. The author offers practical guidance on how to interpret and present key ideas about a contextualist approach, which places the original message of the Koran in a broader social, political, economic and intellectual context. He proposes a more flexible method of interpretation, which recognises the repertoire of old Qur’anic interpretations while looking at changing conditions, and recognises the need for new approaches to interpreting the Koran.
The book reviews dominant approaches in pre-modern times, textualist approaches, and reactions to feminist interpretations of the Koran; reviews the hierarchical nature of the values of the Koran; and critiques the important themes of the Koran, comparing pre-modern and modern interpretations to show the evolutionary nature of the interpretation.

Saeed A., Gould R. and Duderija, A. Islamic teachings on contemporary issues for young Muslims (11.9Mb pdf) Melbourne: National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, 2016.
The book is divided into eight themes covering core issues related to religion, identity and diversity, as well as more advanced topics such as the meaning of jihad, Islamic teachings concerning governance, the historical phenomenon of slavery, and the challenge of Islamophobia. Students will learn about mainstream Islamic teachings on these topics and be challenged to research and present information, debate contentious issues and write persuasive essays covering this material.
The resource will equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills to question many of the divisive and isolationist narratives that have emerged in recent times concerning Islam and the relationship of Muslims with those of other faiths, with a special emphasis on topics relevant to young Muslims living in Australia today. In addition, it is hoped that it will form a starting point for students interested in deepening their knowledge of Islamic tradition to pursue such education at a higher level.
Book chapters
2019
- Saeed, Abdullah. “Reading the Qur’ān Contextually: Approaches and Challenges,” in Sirry, Mun’im (ed.,). New Trends in Qur’ānic Studies: Text, Context, and Interpretation. Atlanta, GA: Lockwood Press, 2019, pp. 151-162.
- Saeed, Abdullah. “Religious Harmony in Today’s World,” in Hedges, Paul and Muez, Nursheila (eds.,). Religions and Common Space: Promoting Religious Peace. Singapore: Nanyang Technological University, 2019.
2018
- Kamal, M. “Islamic Modernism in India,” in Bilimoria, P. (ed.,). History of Indian Philosophy. Oxon (UK) and New York: Routledge, 2018, 479-486.
- Saeed, A. “Shari’a in Australia,” in Emon, Anver M. and Ahmed, Rumee (eds.,). The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018, pp. 751-754.
- Saeed, A. “Shari’ah and Education: A Brief Overview,” in Daun, H. and Arjmand, R. (eds.,). Handbook of Islamic Education. New York: Springer International Publishing, 2018, pp. 33-42.
- Saeed, A. “Sunnism, Shi’ism, Sufism, and Education: A Brief Overview,” in Daun, H. and Arjmand, R. (eds.,). Handbook of Islamic Education. New York: Springer International Publishing, 2018, pp. 43-59.
2017
- Saeed, A. “Secularism, State Neutrality, and Islam,” in Zuckerman, P. (ed.,). The Oxford Handbook of Secularism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017, pp. 188-200.
2015
- Saeed, A. “Theological and Cultural Foundations for an Inclusivist View of the Religious ’Other’ in Islamic Tradition,” in Nasir, S. (ed.,). Religious Peace: A Precious Treasure. Singapore: Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, 2015, pp. 42-57.
- Saeed, A. “The Nature and Purpose of the Community,” in Mosher, L. (ed.,). The Community of Believers: Christian and Muslim Perspectives. Washington DC: Georgetown University Press, 2015, pp. 15-28.
- Saeed, A. “Limitations on Religious Freedom in Islam Rethinking Through the Maqasid?” in Ferrari, S. (ed.,). Routledge Handbook of Law and Religion. Oxon (UK) and New York: Routledge, 2015, pp. 369-380.
Journal articles
2019
- Pennell, C. R. “Digitised, Digital and Static Archives and the Struggles in the Middle East and North Africa,” in Archives and Manuscripts Vol. 47 No. 2, 2019, pp. 242-259
- Pennell, C.R. “The Algerian State, Islamist Insurgents, and Civilians Caught in Double Jeopardy by the Violence of the Civil War of the 1990s,” in Journal of Terrorism and Political Violence (published online)
- Kamal, M. “Existence and Essence in Mulla Sadra’s Ontology,” in Philosophy Study Vol. 9 No. 7, 2019, pp. 399-407
- Saeed, A. “Living in a Religiously Plural Society: A Muslim Perspective on Being Inclusive Today,” in Interreligious Relations Vol. 2, 2019, pp. 1-12
2018
- Akbar, A. and Saeed, A. “Interpretation and Mutability: Socio-Legal Texts of the Quran; Three Accounts from Contemporary Iran,” in Middle Eastern Studies Vol. 54 No. 3, 2018, pp. 442-458
- Kamal, M. “Spinoza and the Relativity of Evil in the World,” in Open Journal of Philosophy Vol. 8, 2018, pp. 145-155
2017
- Abdullah, A. “ضرورة دعم التعليم الإسلامي في الحفاظ على الهوية الثقافية لمسلم غانا لتعزيز التعايش السلمي والتسامح الديني The Need to Support Islamic Education in Preserving the Cultural Identity of Muslims in Ghana to Promote Peaceful Coexistence and Religious Tolerance,” in E-Journal of Arabic Studies & Islamic Civilization Vol. 4, 2017
- Baxter, K. “Kuwait, Political Violence and the Syrian War," in Australian Journal of International Affairs Vol. 71 No. 2, 2017, pp. 128-145.
- Kamal, M. “Ibn ‘Arabi and Spinoza on God and the World,” in Open Journal of Philosophy Vol. 7, 2017, pp. 409-421
- Pennell, C. R. “Can Historians Capture Refugees’ Voices from the Records of their Applications for Asylum?” in Oral History Association of Australia Journal Vol. 39, 2017, pp. 43-54
- Pennell, C. R. “How and Why to Remember the Rif War (1921-2021),” in Journal of North African Studies Vol. 22 No. 5, 2017, pp. 798-820
- Pennell, C. R. “Making the Foreign Past Real: Teaching and Assessing Middle Eastern History in Australia,” in Review of Middle East Studies Vol. 51 No. 1, 2017, pp. 40-44
- Pennell, C. R. and Belkziz, N. “Family Loyalties and Oppression in Morocco and Libya," in Journal of Mediterranean Studies Vol. 26 No. 2, 2017, pp. 125-145
- Saeed, A. “Making the Islamic Case for Religious Liberty,” in Current Trends in Islamic Ideology Vol. 21, 2017, pp. 24-27
2016
- Baxter, K. and Davidson, R. “Foreign Terrorist Fighters: Managing a Twenty-First Century Threat,” in Third World Quarterly: Journal of Emerging Areas Vol. 37 No. 8, 2016, pp. 1299-1313
- Kamal, M. “Avicenna’s Necessary Being,” in Open Journal of Philosophy Vol. 6, 2016, pp. 194-200
- Saeed, A. “Reading the Qur’an in the Twenty-First Century,” in Oasis: Christians and Muslims in the Global World Year XII Vol. 23, 2016, pp. 14-20
- Pennell, R. “What is the Significance of the Title ‘Amir al-Mu’minin?’” in The Journal of North African Studies Vol. 21 No. 4, 2016, pp. 623-644
2015
- Baxter, K. and Simpson, K. “The US-Saudi Relationship – A Review of Recent History,” in Global Change, Peace & Security Vol. 27 No. 2, 2015, pp. 139-151
- Kamal, M. “Sadra’s Doctrine of Substantial Change,” in Ishraq Vol. 1 No. 2, 2015, pp. 126-136
- Pennell, R. and Saeed, A. “Words into Texts: Justice Politics and the Written Record at a Trial in Tunis in 1844,” in Islamic Law and Society Vol. 22 No. 4, 2015, pp. 375-412
Research papers
The National Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies Research Papers are multidisciplinary publications and promote vigorous and original research on various aspects of Islam and Muslim affairs. The range of topics covered is diverse and represents the breadth of research excellence in the field.
Research paper submissions are blind-refereed by two or more expert readers for originality, conceptual contribution, structural integrity, and factual accuracy. The recommendations of the readers will determine editorial decisions.
Submissions may be sent to nceis-office@unimelb.edu.au for consideration.