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International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)

Advancing Education in Muslim Societies

December, 2017

In Memoriam Shaykh Taha Jabir Al-Alwani,

An Islamic Visionary

A 2-day Conference in Honor of a IIIT Founder

IIIT honored one of its late founders, Shaykh Dr. Taha Jabir Al-Alwani (d. 2016), with an October 23-24 international conference on the renewal of Islamic thought, a topic that he engaged with and pursued throughout his entire adult life. Held at the IIIT headquarters in Herndon, VA, this event celebrated his original and sometimes intellectually provocative contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, in which he had earned a PhD from al-Azhar (1973), most notably his establishment of a new discipline: a jurisprudence for minorities ( fiqh al-aqalliyyat). Read More

Education - Reform - Collaboration

Observing the Observer: The State of Islamic Studies in American Universities

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) hosted a Colloquium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, with the objective to review the IIIT publication, Observing the Observer: The State of Islamic Studies in American Universities.

Original contributors to the book, such as Dr. Zahid Bukhari (Center for Islam and Public Policy) and Dr. Marcia Hermensen (Loyola University), attended the day-long proceedings. Academics in the field, including Dr. Kecia Ali (Boston University), Dr. SherAli Tareen (Franklin & Marshall College), Dr. Younus Mirza (Allegheny College), Dr. Maria Dakake (George Mason University), Dr. Jonathan Brown (Georgetown University), and Dr. Feryal Salem (Hartford Seminary). Moreover, ... Read More

Promising (Best) Practices in Education in the Muslim World

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) held a roundtable to commence its planned initiative on Promising (Best) Practices in Education in the Muslim World. The roundtable brought together an expert on Promising Practices projects (Dr. David Anderson) and experts on education in Muslim societies (Dr. Amaarah DeCuir, Dr. Ilham Nasser, and Ms. Afeefa Syeed), and was attended by educationalists in the community and IIIT staff. Read More

IIIT Cape Town Summer School & Roundtable Discussions in South Africa

On 16th October 2017, after the conclusion of the IIIT Cape Town Summer School, a roundtable discussion was hosted by the University of the Western Cape in collaboration with the IIIT South Africa Chapter. Local academics from the University of the Western Cape and the University of Stellenbosch were invited to attend and contribute to the discussion on the Crisis of Higher Education. Read More

Indonesian Islamic Education in a Globalizing Era

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) invited Dr. Ronald Lukens-Bull on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, to deliver a talk titled, "Indonesian Islamic Education in a Globalizing Era." Dr. Ronald Lukens-Bull is currently a Professor of Anthropology at the University of North Florida. His areas of expertise are Anthropology of Religion; Island Southeast Asia (Indonesia); Islamic Education and Leadership; Qualitative Methods; Southeast Asian Religious Experience, and Comparative Muslim Cultures. Read More

Green Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Islamic Perspective

"The International Conference on Green Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Islamic Perspective" was held at the University of Muhammadiyah Gresik (UMG) in Indonesia from August 28 - 29, 2017. The conference was attended by 22 Rectors and Deputy Rectors from various universities in Indonesia, in addition to about 200 participants, locally, nationally and internationally. Read More

IIIT and Ibn Haldun University

On Friday, July 14, 2017, Dr. Abubaker al-Shingieti, IIIT Executive Director, and Ermin Sinanovic, Director of Research and Academic Programs, attended the official opening ceremony of the US office of Ibn Haldun University (IHU). The ceremony was held at the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham, Maryland. Read More

Locating the Qur'an in the Modern World: Towards a Maqasidi Tafseer

KURAMER (Qur'anic Research Center at 29 May University) and IIIT-UK, in cooperation with MAHYA and IESE organized a symposium on April 29, 2017. Participants included the last four presidents of Diyanet (Turkey's Religious Affairs directorate) along with several important scholars of Islamic theology. Read More

IIIT and Diyanet Center of America Sign an MoU

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Diyanet Center of America (DCA) on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. The MoU is designed to enhance, enrich, and broaden the academic and educational works and projects carried out by both organizations. The MoU was signed by Dr. Abubaker Al-Shingieti, Executive Director of IIIT, and Dr. Yasar Colak, President of DCA. Read More

IIIT Summer and Winter Schools

2017 Winter Student Program

2017 Students and Scholars

On Tuesday, January 3, 2017, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) welcomed 30 students from colleges and universities in the United States and Canada for its second annual Winter Student Program (WSP). This program is designed with the objective of providing instructions in major topics in Islamic thought to undergraduate students, highlighting IIIT's contributions and efforts to integrate a normative approach to Islam with contemporary humanities and social sciences. Read More

Empowering Future Generations Through Education

Youth Empowerment, Ethics, and Islamic Curriculum for Ages 11+

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) invited Dr. Zahra Rafie to present her research titled, "Youth Empowerment, Ethics, and Islamic Curriculum for Ages 11+," on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Dr. Rafie's research was supported by a IIIT grant. Read More

The Quest for Reading

On October 30, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) held a seminar on a topic of global concern: how to teach children to read with comprehension and critically so they can help their societies develop. IIIT, which is currently devoting itself to "Advancing Education Reform in Muslim Societies" as its central focus, held the roundtable to discuss reading as a foundational skill that all students at various levels, especially elementary ones, must acquire so they can continue to grow their existing knowledge base. Read More

American Muslim Youth: Challenges Surrounding Identity and Well-Being

The International Institute of Islamic Thought hosted a panel on American Muslim Youth on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, during the Winter Student Program. Dr. Nahid Kabir and Dr. Madiha Tahseen presented their research findings for students attending the Winter Student Program at IIIT as well as community members. The panel was titled, "American Muslim Youth: Challenges Surrounding Identity and Well-Being." Read More

Women - Gender - Family

Muslim Scholars, Islamic Studies, and the Gendered Academy

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) hosted its fourth annual Ismail Al Faruqi Memorial Lecture at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) in Boston on Sunday, November 19, 2017. Dr. Kecia Ali (Boston University, Department of Religion) delivered the keynote lecture, titled "Muslim Scholars, Islamic Studies, and the Gendered Academy." In her speech, Dr. Ali situated ongoing and gendered contestations in Islamic Studies within ... Read More

The Role of Women in Making a Humane Society

The Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) organized a two-day international conference on the "The Role of Women in Making a Humane Society" on September 23-24, 2017 at Calicut (Kerala), India. The conference was a big success where women, who were in the focus, registered in large numbers. Women delegates came from several parts of India and abroad and accounted for three-fourths of the attendees. Read More

Orphan Care from an Islamic Perspective

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) held a Fiqh Forum on the timely topic of "Orphan Care from Islamic Perspective: Kafala, Adoption, Foster Care and Beyond" on Thursday, April 13th, 2017. Read More

Learning at IIIT/TFI

2nd Annual Bosnian Imam Leadership Seminar

The Fairfax Institute, in cooperation with Hartford Seminary in Hartford, CT, offers a Graduate Certificate in Imam and Muslim Community Leadership (GCIMCL). The aim of this 24-credit certificate program is to offer structured education in the American context for Muslim leaders, Imams, and counselors. Students take courses in Islamic Theology and Spirituality, Islamic Ethics, Advanced Islamic Scripture, American Muslim Communities, Interfaith Encounter and Arts of Ministry. Students also take a course in Clinical Pastoral Education as well as a Reflection on Ministry Experience course. Read More

The Graduate Certificate in Imam and Muslim Community Leadership


Dr. Feryal Salem

Certificate in Islamic Thought (CIT)

The Certificate in Islamic Thought combines Islamic credentials with academic rigor, along with a flexible schedule which suits working professionals, Imams, chaplains, community leaders, and students. The objective of this program is to provide academically sound, faith-based education in Islamic studies, rooted within IIIT's approach and taught by outstanding scholars of Islam. Apply Today!

Divine Messages

The Divine Message of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) held a series of panels at the 42st annual convention of the Islamic Circle of North America-Muslim American Society (ICNA-MAS) in Baltimore, MD, on Saturday, April 15, 2017. This year, the convention's theme was "The Quest for True Success: The Divine Message of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad." Read More

The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews became a Prophet of the Muslims

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) invited Mustafa Akyol on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, to deliver a talk on his newly published book, The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews became a Prophet of the Muslims. Mustafa Akyol is currently a visiting fellow at Wellesley College and an opinion writer for the International New York Times. Read More

Other IIIT Events/Activities

Citizenship and Minorities in Contemporary Islams: IIIT Panel @ ICNA

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) organized a panel, titled "Citizenship and Minorities in Contemporary Islam" at the 2017 American Academy of Religion (AAR) Annual Meeting. The panel was held at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston on Sunday, November 19, 2017. Read More

Summer Institute for Scholars

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) held its 10th annual Summer Institute for Scholars, July 26-29, 2017. The Summer Institute is an annual meeting dedicated to the study of contemporary approaches in Islamic thought, that brings together senior and emerging scholars in order to present papers and participate in panels and in-depth discussions focused on themes pertinent to the Institute's mission. Read More

IIIT Iftar and Memorial Lecture

On Tuesday, June 6, over a hundred Muslim and non-Muslim guests gathered at IIIT for its annual Friends of IIIT Iftar and Memorial Lecture which was dedicated this year to the late Dr. Jamal al-Barzinji, who passed away in September 2015. Read More

What Just Happened? And What It Implies for the Future of Muslim Community

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) hosted Dr. Ziauddin Sardar on Wed., Jan. 11, 2017, to speak on the current political climate. Aptly titled, "What Just Happened? And What It Implies for the Future of Muslim Community," the lecture explored how humanity has reached our precarious present, marked by climate change, increasing inequality, cyber attacks, populism, Trump, and Brexit. Read More