International Conference | 12–14 April 2027 | Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies, Oxford
The Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies (CMCS) Oxford and the United Bible Societies’ TAZI initiative (Taurat Anbiya Zabur Injil) will host an international conference exploring the question of scriptural translatability in Christianity and Islam from 12 to 14 April 2027.
Titled “The Translatability of the Scriptures in Christianity and Islam,” the conference will bring together scholars, translators, theologians and practitioners working at the intersection of Translation Studies, theology, scriptural interpretation, Muslim-Christian relations and interfaith dialogue.
Translation, Revelation and Translatability
The conference will examine the theological, hermeneutical and political questions raised by the translation of texts understood as divine revelation. Particular attention will be given to the ways in which translation mediates Christian and Muslim engagements with their own scriptures as well as with the scriptures of the other tradition.
A central theme will be the relationship between divine inspiration and translatability. Within Christian traditions, discussions of inspiration are commonly connected to the Bible as the Word of God expressed through human authors in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. In Islamic thought, the concept of tanzīl—the sending down of the Qur’an in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad—is closely connected with discussions of the Qur’an’s inimitability and the question of its translatability.
The organisers invite contributions that critically examine how these different theological understandings of revelation and inspiration shape attitudes towards translation. Questions may include what happens when a text regarded as divine revelation is rendered into another language, what aspects of scripture may resist translation, and what translation can reveal about understandings of revelation itself.
Themes and Areas of Interest
Paper proposals are invited from established scholars, early-career researchers and postgraduate students. Suggested areas include:
- Inspiration and the question of scriptural translatability
- Challenges and practices of translating scripture in Christian and Muslim traditions
- The role of translation in scriptural interpretation
- Censorship, restriction and control of scriptural translations
- Gender and translation, including the effects of translation choices on the visibility of women and the representation of gender in scripture
- Artificial intelligence and the emerging challenges and possibilities of translating sacred texts
The conference will consider papers addressing Christian or Muslim perspectives, as well as comparative approaches examining both traditions. Particular emphasis will be placed on the broader implications of (un)translatability, rather than translation alone.
The organisers aim to explore how translation—whether resisted, contested or embraced—continues to shape the lived experiences of Christian and Muslim communities and their encounters with one another in the twenty-first century.
Submission Guidelines
Researchers interested in presenting a paper are invited to submit:
- A 300–400-word proposal
- A short biography of approximately 150 words
Proposals should be sent to Dr Martin Whittingham at m.whittingham@cmcsoxford.org.uk by 31 October 2026.
Submissions will undergo peer review by an interdisciplinary committee, with responses expected by 13 November 2026.
Selected speakers will be invited to give 30-minute presentations. Full papers of approximately 5,000–6,000 words, which may be in draft form, will be requested in advance and circulated two weeks before the conference.
Selected papers may subsequently be considered for publication in a peer-reviewed edited volume or special issue.
Conference Format and Costs
The conference will take place in person at the Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies in Oxford, although some provision may be made for online participation.
The conference fee is £65, covering lunches, refreshments and the conference dinner.
Participants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. The organisers have secured some accommodation at an Oxford college close to CMCS. A limited number of bursaries towards travel and accommodation may be available for confirmed speakers.
Convenors
The conference is convened by:
- Dr Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour, CMCS Oxford
- Dr Sameh Hanna, UBS TAZI
- Dr Andy Warren-Rothlin, UBS TAZI
- Dr Martin Whittingham, CMCS Oxford
Important Dates
Conference: 12–14 April 2027
Proposal deadline: 31 October 2026
Notification of decision: 13 November 2026
Conference website: Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies – Conference on the Translatability of the Scriptures
