Professor Bauer will be completing research on Muslim diasporas in Germany, Canada, the US and Trinidad and Tobago on a Fulbright Global Scholar Award during 2017-2018. This project examines the role of race, gender, and generations in the development of Muslim communities in diasporas in different geographical locations. She will be commenting on some of her findings and reflections here during the year–from the Institute for Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, from the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition at MacMaster University in Canada, and from the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Ethnic and Religious Diversity in Germany.
Just a reminder: Any views I express here about my project and my Fulbright year are my own and not those of the Fulbright Program.
Update on Fulbright in Trinidad
At the end of the year, I returned from several months in Trinidad on the first leg of my global journey inquiring into Muslim diasporas..
In the late 20th century, Trinbagonian Muslims began actively seeking re-connections to “Heritage Islam” legacy). Women’s classes, activities and debates are a big part of these attempts to return to the roots of what they perceive to be ‘authentic’ Islam. Many thanks to all the many Trinbagonian Muslims (women and men) who welcomed me into their communities. I am so grateful for their kindness, generosity, and patience in hosting me–especially in the women’s classes in Rio Claro, Cunupia, El Socorro, and Port of Spain—and for the stimulating classes and conversations we engaged in. I am especially appreciative of the many opportunities I was afforded to speak about my work with Muslim women globally, including at the Institute for Gender and Development Studies at the University of th West Indies–St. Augustine. I learned so much from Sisters Nazima, Fatima, Nazeena, Lina and many more. Thank you.
Fulbright in Canada
Just returned from the Toronto area—specifically Hamilton, Ontario, and McMaster University. The Hamilton refugee resettlement landscape is very much like that of Hartford. Thus there are many interesting comparisons. I met some amazing newcomer women involved in volunteer work in the community and many nonprofits (including faith based and faith-collaborative) with energetic leadership and very creative programming to facilitate newcomer inclusion.
Fulbright in Germany
Again on the trail of refugee integration and efforts to assist newcomers, I found that refugee women are at the forefront of providing services like translation, counseling, and language tutoring for newer refugees across different German cities–Aachen, Tuebingen, Goettingen, and Berlin. They are putting their experiences to work for new streams of refugees coming from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Moldavia, Iran, and Vietnam. Admittedly the state depends a lot on volunteers from faith groups who have also come forward to volunteer services and assistance to new asylum claimants, who are often living in refugee centers. However, there are a handful of organized Christian and Muslim groups who offer to help in order to proselytize and recruit new members, complicating the work of volunteers who are just trying to help.
http://www.trincoll.edu/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/pages/JanetBauerFulbright.aspx