Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies

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•	Nursi Home
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A WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR:

Welcome to the website of the Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies at John Carroll University. Here, you will find information about the academic courses that we offer, the community events and programs we provide, and various other activities and resources on the study of Islam. I welcome your interest in Islamic studies and invite your questions and participation regarding anything you find here.

Islam constitutes the second largest religion in the world. Today in the United States, it is the "hot topic" of the moment. American universities, in an attempt to respond to students' tremendous demand for more information about Islam, have established a variety of institutes, centers and chairs for the academic pursuit of Islamic studies. I am pleased that John Carroll University has joined this trend and successfully established the Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies to provide its students with balanced and responsible academic information about this important topic.

Participation in the programs and courses of the Nursi Chair are open to people of all backgrounds: if you are not a currently enrolled JCU student but are interested in one of our courses, please contact the Nursi Chair for information on how you can join us.

In the current political climate, we need dialogue and understanding more than ever before. The Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies promotes such a dialogue. The Chair is named for the prominent Muslim thinker from Turkey, Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, who said, "Our heart is so full of love that there is no space for hatred to enter." We welcome your heart to our space.

Regards,

Zeki Saritoprak, Ph.D.,
Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies.


•	Upcoming Events: Fall 2008
		September 10, 2008: Sixth Annual Iftar Dinner at John Carroll University. Event is by invitation only. To request an invitation, please send your name and address to nursi@jcu.edu, or mail to the address below. September 18, 2008: The Nursi Chair Lecture Series presents Dr. Michael Sells, professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Chicago. (Title of Lecture TBA) 7:00 pm, Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center. Free and open to the public. October 9, 2008: The Nursi Chair Lecture Series presents Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina, Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Virginia: Religious Pluralism: A Challenge to Islam in Dealing with Human Rights 7:30 pm, Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center. Free and open to the public. December 4, 2008 The Nursi Chair Lecture Series presents Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University and one of the leading scholars of Islam in the United States. The Nature of Islamic Spirituality and its Contemporary Significance 7:00 pm, Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center. Free and open to the public.
•	Nursi Chair in the News
		"Local Muslim professor among faith leaders to meet pope" The Cleveland Plain Dealer April 23, 2008.

•	Recent Events
		April 21-26, 2008 Week of Islamic Art & Culture * "Pictorial Exhibition of the Sacred Trusts" (April 21-26), Galleria, Dolan Science Center, 12-6pm. This exhibition will display pictures of the possessions of the prophet Muhammed, his companions, and other prophets, which are preserved at the Topkapi Museum of Istanbul. * Islamic Calligraphy (April 22-25), Galleria, Dolan Science Center, 1-5pm. Famous Turkish calligrapher, Mr. Aydin Cayir, will accompany the Sacred Trusts exhibition, and will perform his art of calligraphy on site. * Lecture by Rev. Thomas Michel, S.J., Secretary of Interreligious Dialogue for the Society of Jesus in Rome (April 22nd), Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center at 7:00pm. He will lecture on "Dynamic Movements of Peace in Islam Today." * Documentary movie "Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet" (April 24), Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center at 7:30pm. * Sufi Music (April 26), Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center at 3:00pm. Performance by Ali Ozkan Demir, the famous nayzen, who comes from Turkey specifically for this event. All events are free and open to the public. For more information on these events, please call 216-397-6279. Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Lecture by Fr. Thomas Michel. S.J. Jesuit Secretariat for Interreligious Dialogue in Rome, Italy "Dynamic Movements of Peace in Islam Today" at 7:00pm in the Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center, John Carroll University. Free and open to the public.

John Carroll University, University Heights, OH - 44118 | 216-397-4708 | religion@jcu.edu
John Spencer, Chairperson - spencer@jcu.edu
Suite B250 in the Administration Building