The Annual Humanities and Social Sciences Conference at LUMS was held from 18th to 20th April 2025. Dr. Ali Khan, Dean of MGSHSS, and Dr. Waqar Zaidi, Head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, inaugurated the event with their opening remarks.

This year's conference, titled Traditions and Transitions: New Directions in the Study of Islam and Society in South Asia, brought together 45 speakers from 22 institutions across Pakistan, South Asia, Europe, and North America. Over the course of three days, the conference featured 8 panels, a keynote session, and culminated in a captivating performance by The Fakirs of Bhit Shah.

The conference aimed to foster a richer understanding of the variety of Islamic traditions and their lived expressions in South Asia, as well as the relationship between Islam and other religions. Scholars examined the evolution, adaptation, and contestation of religious traditions in response to intellectual, societal, and existential concerns, engaging with the broader question of how these traditions intersect with colonial modernity and continue to shape and be shaped by postcolonial contexts.

Here are some highlights from this intellectually enriching conference. We look forward to welcoming you to next year’s edition.