Description

The workshop proposed by George Mason University (GMU) will help shape a larger project that represents “the first systematic, cross-national comparative study” of the use of religious soft power, particularly by Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey.  The project asks “how governmental and non-governmental actors in nation-states use their transnational religious influence to promote particular values, political goals, and policy objectives in other global settings.”  The term “religious soft power” includes activities such as proselytization, religious education scholarships, media outreach, and mosque construction.
 
Under the leadership of Peter Mandaville, and in collaboration with the Brookings Institution, GMU will convene scholars and policy experts.  Participants will present their own work, and will also be asked to comment on a draft report on the geopolitics of religious soft power written by the workshop co-conveners.  The report will be published by Brookings, which will also publish five policy briefs to be written by selected workshop participants.  Finally, the workshop will lay the groundwork for a two-year research project on this “vitally important but understudied topic.” The Carnegie Corporation has expressed interest in supporting the larger project.
 
Mandaville is Professor of Government and Politics; and Co-Director, Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies at GMU, and has served twice in the State Department, most recently in the Office of Religion and Global Affairs.  He also helped develop the HRLI-funded Transatlantic Policy Network on Religion and Diplomacy.  A special grant to GMU earlier this year supported a retreat including many HRLI grantees to discuss the impact of the current U.S. policy environment on issues at the intersection of religion and international affairs.  Mandaville served as PI on this project, at the invitation of the HRLI.