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

Zahid Bukhari · Sulayman Nyang

Jan 2012 · International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)

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 THE collection of papers in this volume documents

the study of Islam in American Universities. Over

the last few decades the United States has seen

significant growth in the study of Islam and Islamic

societies in institutions of higher learning fueled

primarily by events including economic relations

of the U.S. with Muslim countries, migration of

Muslims into the country, conversion of Americans

to Islam, U.S. interests in Arab oil resources,

involvement of Muslims in the American public

square, and the tragic events of 9/11.

Although there is increasing recognition that the

study of Islam and the role of Muslims is strategically

essential in a climate of global integration,

multiculturalism, and political turmoil, nevertheless,

the state of Islamic Studies in America is far

from satisfactory. The issue needs to be addressed,

particularly as the need for intelligent debate and

understanding is continuously stifled by what

some have termed an “Islam industry” run primarily

by fly-by journalists, think tank pundits, and

cut-and-paste “experts.”

Autoren-Profil

Dr. Zahid Bukhari serves as Executive Director of the Center for Islam and Public Policy (CIPP). He served as Director, American Muslim Studies Program (AMSP) at the Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. From 1999-2004, he also worked as Director, Project MAPS: Muslims in American Public Square at Georgetown University. Dr. Bukhari was elected national president of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) for 2009-10. He has been serving as a member of Governor of Maryland Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs for 2008-2011. Dr. Bukhari's research interests focused on religion and politics in the United States and South Asia. He has a vast experience in all aspects of survey research. From 1978-1983, he worked as executive director of the Pakistan Institute of Public Opinion (PIPO), Islamabad, a member of Gallup International. He has published and presented papers on Islam in the West, Muslim public opinion in the US, Interfaith Relations in the USA, and other related topics in national and international forums. He is also editor of a research volume, Muslims' Place in the American Public Square: Fears, Hopes and Aspirations (2004). Professor Sulayman Nyang serves as President of the Center for Islam and Public Policy (CIPP). He teaches at Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he serves as Professor of African Studies. From 1975 to1978 he served as Deputy Ambassador and Head of Chancery of the Gambia Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He also served as co-director of Project MAPS: Muslims in the American Public Square, a research project housed at Georgetown University, Washington, DC and funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Professor Nyang has served as consultant to several national and international agencies. He has served on the boards of the African Studies Association, the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies and the Association of Muslim Social Scientists. He is listed on the editorial boards of several national and international scholarly journals. He has lectured on college campuses in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Professor Nyang has written and published extensively on Islam in Africa and Islam in America.