Prof. Akbar Ahmed
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My Tagline:
Dialogue is the key to solving our problems.
My Interests:
Prayer, Worship, God, Interfaith issues, Charity, Books, Education, Travel, Current events, Family
About Me
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University in Washington DC, is considered “the world’s leading authority on contemporary Islam” according to the BBC. He is a renowned author, and award winning film and documentary director. He served as High Commissioner of Pakistan to Great Britain, and has advised Prince Charles and met with President George W. Bush on Islam. Dr. Ahmed was Visiting Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, Harvard and CambridgeUniversities, and received the Professor of the Year Award for Washington D.C ., by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. His latest book Journey into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization was published in 2007 by The Brookings Institution Press.
Dr. Ahmed has been participating in The Daniel Pearl Dialogue for Muslim-Jewish Understanding, a series of personal yet public conversations between Daniel Pearl’s father, Professor Judea Pearl, President of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, and himself, for a number of years. The program grew out of Professors Ahmed and Pearl's shared concern about the deterioration of relationships between Muslim and Jewish communities around the world, and their strong belief that reconciliation between these two Abrahamic faiths can be achieved through frank and respectful dialogue. The discussions range from theological issues, historical perceptions to current events.
In 2006 Professors Ahmed and Pearl were awarded the first annual Purpose Prize “in recognition of [their] simple, yet innovative approach to solving one of society’s most pressing problems.”
Dr. Ahmed will be involved in an exclusive two-week dialogue/discussion with Dr. Pearl here on Beliefnet Community from April 28-May 9, "Finding Common Ground Between Muslims and Jews," where he and Dr. Pearl will be answering your questions on the state of Muslim-Jewish relations, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and other interfaith issues.
Here are some articles Dr. Ahmed has written:
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From Cambridge - May 5, 2008 - 07:55 AM
As Director of the Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations (CMJR), I am glad that dialogue is taking place between Muslims and Jews. It is important that different people talk to each other and begin to understand and appreciate each other's histories and sensitivities. The CMJR has, therefore, facilitated a Letter, which is the world’s first denominational statement in modern times from Muslims to Jews. As its title suggests, the Letter is a Call to Peace, Dialogue and Understanding. It has been supported by almost 50 leading Muslim scholars and religious leaders, including Professor Akbar Ahmed, winner of the Purpose Prize on Muslim-Jewish dialogue and who was one of the signatories of A Common Word between Us and You, a letter from Muslims to the Pope and other Christian leaders. There may be some negativity in general, but there is also a greater degree of goodwill among people who want to work towards understanding, dialogue and peace. One way of positive change is through education. With its aim to combat negative perceptions of the Other and break down stereotypes of Muslims and Jews, the CMJR offers a menu of courses on Islam, Judaism and Muslim-Jewish Relations. Some of the courses including the Cambridge University Institute of Continuing Education Certificate courses are offered on-site in Cambridge. Other courses are offered by the CMJR via e-learning to people all over the world. In its first year, the courses have been received very positively and I would strongly recommend these for anyone interested in interfaith and in understanding the other. With all best wishes,