For some 150 years (909–1050s), Sicily formed a part of the Fatimid empire. It was ruled through appointed governors and independent emirs from the Kalbid family, until the political turmoil of the mid-11th century, which paved the way for the Norman conquest. While the Normans ended Muslim rule in Sicily, they emulated the Fatimids’ practices and symbols of authority. Yet the role of the Fatimids in the history of Muslim Sicily has remained obscure due to the scarcity of written sources and material remains from the period.

This international gathering brings together scholars, artists and practitioners to explore dance, music, movement and performance traditions across the Middle East, North Africa, Central and South Asia and Muslim contexts in Southeast Asia. The 2026 symposium focuses on the relationship between music, dance, movement and spirituality in Muslim contexts, examining how embodied and musical practices shape religious experience, artistic expression, cultural identity and communal life.