Lectures

Listen to Lectures

Explore lectures and learn about our scholars.

Sally Howell
Lecture
1.5 Hours

The Nation's First Mosque?

On understanding the historical context of Muslim Americans in Metro Detroit.

Sherman Jackson
Lecture
2 Hours

Islam and The BlackAmerican ft. Dr. Sherman Jackson

On revisiting Dr. Jackson's insights into the ongoing journey of Black Muslims in America.

Mariam Saada
Lecture
57 min

An Evening of Exploration: Latino and Islamic Cultural Connections

On the connections and context between Latino & Islamic culture.

Walaa Quisay
Lecture
2 Hours

Being Young and Faithful in America

On the experience of navigating faith, spirituality, and growing up as a faithful Muslim in today's society.

Michael Gomez
Lecture
1.5 Hours

Understanding the Historical Contexts of African Muslims in the Americas

On the roots of the Islamic civilization that first brought Islamic practices to West Africa

Capturing Conversations

Islam and the Blackamerican: A Journey Revisited

On September 26, 2024, keynote speaker Dr. Sherman Jackson and respondent Dr. Fatimah Fanusie took the stage at Georgetown University to reflect on two decades of Black American Muslim identity. Their conversation revisited Jackson’s groundbreaking work, offering insights into the ongoing journey of Black Muslims in America. Hosted by the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU) and Unity Productions Foundation (UPF), this gathering provided a thoughtful space for reflecting on history, identity, and progress.

scholars

Our Scholars

Learn about each of our scholarly advisors, find links to their books, talks and scholarly work.

Scholar

Mariam Saada

Dr. Mariam Saada is an educator, researcher, and public speaker with a PhD in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA, fluent in five languages.

Scholar

Walaa Quisay

Dr. Quisay specializes in contemporary topics in Muslim culture with a focus on modernity, tradition, and politics.

Scholar

Edward Curtis

Dr. Curtis is a leading scholar of American Muslim history and the author of over 15 books.

Scholar

Kambiz GhaneaBassiri

Dr. GhaneaBassiri is a scholar of Islam and the author of A History of Islam in America.

Scholar

Sally Howell

Dr. Howell is a historian of Muslims in America with a focus on the Arab and Muslim community of Detroit, MI.

Scholar

Muhammad Fraser Rahim

Dr. Fraser-Rahim has conducted research in 40 countries on the African continent and is the author of two books on Muslims in America.

Scholar

Denise Spellberg

Dr. Spellberg is a professor of history and the author of the widely read book, Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an: Islam and the Founders.

Scholar

Patrick Bowen

Dr. Bowen is a specialist on Islam in America and is the author of the two volume work, The History of Conversion to Islam in America.

Scholar

Susan Douglass

Dr. Douglass is one of the foremost educators on the teaching of Muslim culture and Islamic history in the United States.

Scholar

Sylviane Diouf

Dr. Diouf is an award-winning historian of the African Diaspora and an exhibition curator.

Scholar

Nathan Lean

Dr. Lean is a noted expert on Islamophobia and the author of a forthcoming book on the history of Muslim jazz musicians.

Scholar

Sherman Jackson

Dr. Jackson is one of the foremost scholars on Islam and Muslims in the contemporary world.

Scholar

Fatimah Fanusie

Dr. Fanusie's research is an evolving reappraisal of the study of African American Islam.

Scholar

Michael Gomez

Dr. Gomez is the Silver Professor of History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at New York University.