City Notes

Cordoba 22.11.2015

I was not sure what to expect.  My preparation had been cursory, limited to a few newspaper reports and readings in Arab and Spanish history from quite some time ago. This was just a probing visit to see if a longer visit would be required. On my way from Madrid to Cordoba by hi-speed train I thought about possible signs of conflict to look out for: graffiti on walls, self-censorship in official signage and information material, tension regarding dress etc. Read more.

Santiago de Compostella, 29.8 – 1.9.2015

Whilst staying with friends in Cabezon, Cantabria, I took the opportunity to visit Santiago de Compostella, roughly a day’s train journey away. This would be an exploratory trip to get a sense of whether more extended fieldwork would be useful for the project. Read more.

Varanasi, May 2017

I came to Varanasi so that I could obtain a much better understanding of some of the dynamics that lay behind conflicts in religious cities. What could a grasp of the main issues in Varanasi add to my understanding based, at this stage of my Leverhulme project, on my work in Cordoba and Jerusalem? Are there sufficient similarities to make a comparison worthwhile, but also, do the differences point to the need to have an alternative approach? Is there a possible Varanasi “model” for managing and resolving religious conflicts in urban settings and, if so, how transferable to other locations is it?

George Town, June 2017

I chose to carry out research in George Town in order to obtain a better understanding of the dynamics that lie behind religious conflicts in cities. What could George Town add to my evolving analysis based on my work to date on Cordoba, Jerusalem and Benares?

Ayodhya: Visit to Babri Masjid/Ram Janmabhumi Temple, 29.5.2017

Accompanied by Dillep Kumar Maurya and Sarvesh Kumar.