Inaugural Lecture by Jane and Aatos Erkko Visiting Professor Mona Siddiqui: 'Liberal Democracies and the Limits of Pluralism’

The Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies is hosting Mona Siddiqui as the Jane and Aatos Erkko Visiting Professor for the academic year 2022–2023. Professor Siddiqui will give a public lecture on November 8th at 5:15 pm reflecting on the tensions between liberal democracies and legal pluralism.

When: 8th of November, 2022 at 5:15 pm
Venue: Porthania PIII, Yliopistonkatu 3, Helsinki
Reception: after the lecture at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (Fabianinkatu 24 A, 3rd floor)

The lecture is free and open to all. It is primarily an in-person event. However, a webinar link is available on this site before the event for those who wish to listen remotely. 

Link to recording (available until 28.11.2022): https://youtu.be/pgID1V9OKG4
Title: Liberal Democracies and the Limits of Pluralism
Abstract

While pluralism is often regarded as a defining aspect of western liberal democracies, the mix of different religious and cultural identities in Europe has raised specific challenges. Many religious communities face criticism for seeking exceptionalism within legal structures which are largely secular. This lecture reflects on the tension between the state’s commitment to upholding cultural diversity as a democratic good and the limits of social and legal pluralism.
Short Bio

Mona Siddiqui is an acclaimed academic and broadcaster, based at the University of Edinburgh. Her research lies in the field of Islamic law and ethics and Christian-Muslim relations. Since October 2021, she holds a distinguished Visiting Professorship at Hartford International University and is the current Jane and Aatos Erkko Visiting Professor in Studies on Contemporary Society at the Helsinki Collegium of Advanced Studies. She is a regular commentator to the print and broadcast media. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an elected honorary member and first speaker of the Royal Scottish Academy. In 2011, she was awarded an OBE for her interreligious work.

 

 

 
Further Inquiries

For more info, contact HCAS research coordinator, Kaisa Kaakinen, at: kaisa.kaakinen@helsinki.fi

About the Jane and Aatos Erkko Visiting Professorship: The Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation donated 2.92 million euros to the University of Helsinki Funds in 2008 for the establishment of a visiting professorship in studies on contemporary society at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies. The research emphasis of the professorship lies on issues concerning social justice.