Report on Professor Landa's visit within the framework of the ESRC Transnational Communities Programme

From 22 February to 4 March 2000 Professor Robert G. Landa, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, visited the UK at the invitation of Professor Jorgen Nielsen, Director of the Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Theology Department, University of Birmingham.

During his visit Professor Landa participated in the research team's discussions within the project 'Ethnicity, Politics and Transnational Islam: A Study of an International Sufi Order'; gave a series of lectures in other UK university centres and departments dealing with both Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and with Russian and Central Asian Studies; participated in a number of informal seminars and discussions; and visited several places of historic, cultural and religious importance.

On 22^nd, 28^th, 29^th February and 1^st March, Professor Landa worked closely with the research team which included Professor Nielsen, Dr Yemelianova and Mr Draper. He gave a high assessment of the current research, its objectives and methodological design. He also pointed to the challenges facing the project given its geographical and disciplinary diversity. Professor Landa provided the team with valuable insights into the general history of Sufism and Dagestani Sufism in particular which were beneficial for the project. On 1^st March, Professor Landa gave a seminar on 'Sufism in Russia' followed by an informal discussion that the Department of Theology, University of Birmingham.

From 4.30-6.00pm on 1^st March, Professor Landa gave a general seminar on 'Islam in post-Soviet Russia' which attracted a large audience from various departments of the University of Birmingham and elsewhere in the UK. This seminar was jointly organised by the Theology Department and the Centre for Russian and East European Studies.

Professor Landa's tour of the country included the Universities of Nottingham, Manchester and Cambridge. On 23^rd February he delivered a lecture on 'Islam in the History of Russia' at the Institute of Russian, Soviet, Central and East European Studies of the University of Nottingham. On 24^th February Professor Landa gave a seminar on 'Russia and Islam: Interaction of Cultures' at the Department of Middle Eastern Studies of the University of Manchester and on 2^nd March he gave a presentation on 'Islam in the History of Maghreb' at the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies of the University of Cambridge.

Professor Landa's visit was beneficial both for the project and for British-Russian academic cooperation.