"Religion, Law and Governance in Southeast Asia: Comparative Legal Perspectives," Conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur, 29-31 January 2010

A conference on "Religion, Law and Governance in Southeast Asia: Comparative Legal Perspectives," sponsored by the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS), the Faculty of Law of the University of Malaysia, the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies of Amity University, and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at BYU, will be held 29-31 January 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The aim of the conference is to provide studies of the role religion plays in the laws and policies and constitutional regimes of governments of Southeast Asia and to explore in greater depth the ways that the relationship of religion and state affects the lives of individuals and communities in these countries. Presenters at the conference will be approximately twenty experts on these issues from Southeast Asian countries, India, Europe, and America. The main topics of the conference will be as follows:

1. Theoretical and Constitutional Issues Shaping Religion-State Relations
2. Legal Regulation of Religion; Scope of Permissible Limitations
3. Autonomy of the State and Religious Communities
4. Majority-Minority Relations: Promoting Enhanced Relationship
5. Religion, Family and Gender Issues
6. Religious Education and Youth