Understanding Islam as a Faith; Going Beyond the Headlines
Professor Ali Asani

Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 7pm

Harvard Professor Ali S. Asani is the director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program at Harvard and Chair of the Near Eastern Language and Civilizations Department. He will highlight religions as more than just the words of their sacred texts; as living and breathing dynamic creations that evolve from cultural and social norms, the complex context in which they exist, and the many different people who practice them.

Professor Asani has been particularly active post 9/11 in improving the understanding of Islam and its role in Muslim societies by conducting workshops for high school and college educators as well as making presentations at various public forums. Internationally, he has been involved in the Islamic Cultural Studies Initiative, an international professional development program for high school teachers in Kenya, Pakistan and Texas intended to promote a culturally and historically based approach to the study of Islam and Muslim societies. Professor Asani has also served on the American Academy of Religion's Task Force on the teaching of religion in schools. More recently he was an adviser for the National Endowment of the Humanities Bridging Cultures Muslim Journeys Bookshelf project. In 2002, Professor Asani was awarded the Harvard Foundation medal for his outstanding contributions to improving intercultural and race relations. He holds a joint appointment in NELC and on the Committee for the Study of Religion. Professor Asani also serves on the faculty of the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies. In addition he has published numerous books and articles.