Endowed Chair in Islamic Studies, Dr. Liyakat Takim, will speak Wednesday
The Muslim-Christian Dialogue Center and the Theology, History and Political Science departments of the College of Arts and Sciences host the inaugural lecture of the Endowed Chair in Islamic Studies, Dr. Liyakat Takim.
In his talk at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, Takim will discuss "Islam in America." The event will be held in O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium.
In fall 2008, Takim will assume the position of endowed chair in Islamic studies at the University of St. Thomas. A native of Zanzibar, Tanzania, he has written 60 scholarly works on diverse topics such as: Islam in America, dialogue in post-9/11 America, war and peace in the Islamic tradition, the treatment of women in Islamic juridical literature, Islamic law, reformation in the Islamic world, jihad in Shi'i law, and Islamic mystical traditions. He teaches a wide range of courses on Islam and offers a course on comparative religions.
Takim's book, The Heirs of the Prophet: Charisma and Religious Authority in Shi'ite Islam, was published recently by SUNY press. He is working on his second book, The Shi'i Experience in America. He also is translating volume four of 'Allama Tabatabai's voluminous exegesis of the Qur'an.
Takim has taught at American and Canadian universities and is actively engaged in dialogue with different faith communities. He has lectured at many institutions in different parts of the world.
