GTU Opens Center for Islamic Studies to Great Acclaim

On November 6, the Graduate Theological Union opened its Center for Islamic Studies, including Islam as a focus of study along with Judaism, Christianity, and other religious traditions.

The day opened with a recitation from the Qur’an. Hundreds of people attended the event entitled, Pluralism in Practice: Muslims in Interfaith Dialogue, Study and Social Action, and participated in a series of panels on Faith, Social Justice, and the Common Good; Interfaith/Intrafaith dialogue; Media and Social Networking; and Theological Education and Training. Between sessions participants and attendees had the opportunity to view a gallery of photography on Islamic architecture. Media and public officials attended a lunch with keynote speaker San Jose Chief of Police Robert Davis, who observed the fast during the month of Ramadan with the San Jose Muslim community in 2004. The day ended with a recitation from the Qur’an, a du’a (supplication), an interfaith blessing of the Center, and a video greeting by His Royal Highness El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.

The Center will build an academic platform to help scholars and students of many faiths understand Islam as a world religion with a theology of pluralism and rich scholarly traditions. It will also sponsor conferences to build bridges across religions and cultures, and it will serve as a community liaison with Bay Area Muslims. In all of these activities, it will offer students and the larger community the opportunity to understand differences and cooperate so even those who strongly disagree on issues might find enough common ground and a safe space to work together on projects for the common good.

SF Chronicle Op-Ed "Studying Islam for a more peaceful world" highlights the work of the Center for Islamic Studies