Welcome
The Institute for Islamic World Studies (IIWS) has been established to become a remarkable center of learning that anchors its teaching and research activities on the intersection of religion, culture and society. In addition to bridging the gap between religion and social sciences, the ultimate aim of the IIWS programs is to enable students to see the data vertically as well as horizontally; vertically in relation to the accumulated knowledge in the field of Islamic intellectual tradition, and horizontally in light of the broad context and long perspective that the “Islamic World” presents. It is in this way that an interdisciplinary approach is adopted, where the “core” Islamic sciences (Qur’anic studies, Hadith, and Figh) can interact with social sciences, comparative area studies, economics, and international relations. And it is in this way that the focus of the programs has been shifted from studying discrete and disconnected problems, to the study of society and its relevant sub-systems. When successful, these programs are hoped to help students make sense of the vast and scattered material and ideas; lower the conventional boundaries between disciplines; and generate new knowledge. Henceforth the IIWS recruits faculty members with various academic backgrounds that range from social history to economy, and from Islamic studies to politics, and who can easily communicate in both Arabic and English. Annually the IIWS faculty members author or co-author dozens of publications and make numerous presentations around the world.
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