This conference discussed the following points:
- Is there such a thing as an ‘Islamic’ political system?
- What are the key issues surrounding the debate about unity and authority in Islam?
- What would governance “in the name of Islam” look like today?
- What does the concept of a Caliphate mean in modern times?
- To what extent are some looking for it to be revived?
- How does the concept of a revived Caliph resonate throughout the Muslim world?
- What are the various voices weighing in on this issue saying about the concept of a modern-day Caliph?
- What are the different regional views on the Caliphate?
- What are the perspectives of minority or diaspora Muslim populations compared with those in majority Muslim countries?
- What would a modern Caliphate look like?
- How would issues of succession, legitimacy, political vs. spiritual leadership be dealt with?
- Can an in-depth understanding of calls for a modern-day Caliphate by extremist groups be used to inform policy-makers with regards to countering extremism and terrorism?