Prof. Akbar Ahmed
Dr. Akbar S. Ahmed is the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies
and Professor of International Relations at American University in
Washington, DC. He has been actively involved in interfaith dialogue
and the study of global Islam and its impact on contemporary society.
Biography
Other Views
Interviews
Articles
Books
Other Contributions
Biography
Professor Akbar Ahmed is probably the world's
best known scholar on contemporary Islam. He is the former High Commissioner
of Pakistan to Great Britain, and has advised Prince Charles and met
with President George W. Bush on Islam. He is now Ibn Khaldun Chair
of Islamic Studies and professor of International Relations at American
University in Washington, DC.
Dr. Ahmed is the author of many books on contemporary
Islam, including Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History
and Society, which was the basis of the BBC six-part TV series called
Living Islam. His Postmodernism and Islam: Predicament and Promise
was nominated for the Amalfi Award, and his "Jinnah Quartet,"
a four-part project on Pakistan's founding father, M.A. Jinnah, has
won numerous international awards. More
Other Views
Akbar
S Ahmed lone Muslim voice in favour of Daniel Pipes nomination, Daily
Times,
Lahore, July 26, 2003
Article claiming Dr Ahmed’s endorsement of Daniel Pipes’s
nomination to the governing board of the federally-funded US Institute
of Peace.
- Dr.
Ahmed's letter of protest to the Daily Times, August 2003
- Statement by Dr.
Akbar Ahmed regarding Daniel pipes nomination to the USIP,
July 31, 2003
Pakistan's
treatment of Intellectuals, Pakistan Link, USA, January 25, 2003
The treatment meted out to Professor Abdus Salam, Faiz Ahmed Faiz,
Professor Akbar, Ahmed Faraz, Qurat ul Ain Haider and many more was
motivated by considerations which overshadowed their contributions
to Pakistan. Among the many hopes that one has of a new Pakistan under
the leadership of President Musharraf is a better treatment of its
intellectual treasures. This is of paramount importance.
Interviews
Iraq
War & Call for Jihad, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, USA, August
15, 2003
In Egypt, a group of Islamic scholars said jihad -- meaning holy war
-- becomes a duty for all Muslims if the U.S. attacks Iraq. The scholars
said such an attack would constitute a new "crusade" not
only against Islamic territory but on Islam itself. Therefore, said
the scholars, all Muslims are obligated to defend their land and their
religion.We want to explore the significance of that statement with
Akbar Ahmed, Chair of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington,
where he also teaches international relations. Dr. Ahmed is a former
Pakistani ambassador to Great Britain.
Islam
Under Siege, The Globalist, USA, July 20, 2003
Some people around the world view the age of terrorism as the age
of Islam. This does not mean that Islam has benefited from terror
acts. On the contrary, many Muslims feel that their religion is under
pressure like never before. Akbar Ahmed - author of the intriguing
book “Islam Under Siege” - explains why and how Islam
is under siege.
Muslim
Women - The Untold Story, The Globalist, USA, March 07, 2003
The world is paying more attention than ever before to Muslim countries.
However, the treatment of women in some of these countries has been
cause for outright shock. In many ways, the present treatment of women
in those countries reflects tribal — rather than Islamic —
values. In this Globalist Interview, Professor Akbar Ahmed —
Chair of Islamic Studies at American University — offers new
perspectives.
Islam
& War - The Real Story, The Globalist, USA,February 22, 2003
As the United States of America is preparing to go to war in the Middle
East, it is worth asking what Islam says about war. Do the United
States — or its opponents in the region — meet the surprisingly
strict requirements that Islam imposes before Muslims can go to war?
Professor Akbar Ahmed, anthropologist and Chair of Islamic Studies
at American University, explains.
When
Honor is Threatened, The Globalist, USA, September 13, 2002
What effect does globalization have on the traditional societies in
the Middle East? Akbar Ahmed, former Pakistani High Commissioner to
the United Kingdom, provides a surprising answer to this question.
In this Globalist Interview, he points out that the key impact of
globalization on traditional societies may not be on their economy
— but on their sense of honor and dignity.
World
in Focus Interview with Prof. Akbar Ahmed, Australian Broadcasting
Corporation,
Australia, November 19, 2001
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States there
are fears in some circles that the ensuing war against terrorism could
widen to become a defacto war on Islam. Professor Akbar Ahmed, who
holds the Chair of Islamic Studies at the American University, is
also the producer of a six-part series for television entitled "Living
Islam". He talks to Jennifer Byrne from the ABC's Washington
studio.
Articles
A Glow
on Capitol Hill, Religion News Service, June 04, 2003
A certain glow shines around caring and compassionate men and women.
I saw a lot of glow April 4 in one of the grand Senate dining rooms
where I had been invited as the luncheon speaker to address a distinguished
group of guests invited by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation.
Between
Hope & Despair: Living as a muslim in The United States, Religion
News Service,
May 21, 2003
If you appear in the U.S. media with a Muslim name like mine, you
live suspended between hope and despair, compassion and anger, acceptance
and prejudice, inclusion and exclusion. You are blindly associated
with the actions of Muslims all over the world, and your religion
itself appears to be on trial.
Islam
on a Collision Course
"There will be a time when your religion will be like a hot piece
of coal in the palm of your hand; you will not be able to hold it".
The Prophet of Islam was gazing into the future while he talked to
his followers early in the 7th century in Arabia. "Would this
mean there would be very few Muslims?" someone asked. "No,"
replied the Prophet, "They will be large in numbers, more than
ever before, but powerless like the foam on the ocean waves."
After September 11, 2001, the prediction of the Prophet seems to be
coming true. Islam has become as hot as a piece of coal for its followers.
Interfaith
Passover Seder, Religion News Service, 2003
M. Bruce Lustig, the senior Rabbi of the Washington Hebrew Congregation,
wrote to me inviting me and my family and a few Muslim friends to
share the special interfaith Passover Seder with members and clergy
of the congregation to be celebrated on April 23rd. This, he pointed
out, was a “unique interfaith Freedom Seder”. The celebration
“will emphasize the universal struggle for freedom and human
dignity”.
Islam
& Freedom of Thought, The Chronicle of Higher Education, November
2001
(With Lawrence Rosen) As America and its allies have set about building
coalitions that include many of the Islamic nations, it is easy to
lose sight of the issue of intellectual freedom within the Muslim
world. Our concern is that scholars in Muslim countries will be overlooked
in the rush to forge expedient alliances.
Books
Islam
Under Siege, 2003
Discovering Islam, 2002
Other Contributions
Arabs
wary of American Movies, TV, MNBC News, July 10, 2003
Documentarian Charles Stuart's documentary "The AMC Project:
Hollywood & The Muslim World,” hears from Arabs about what
he calls a "love-hate relationship" between Muslims and
American media.
Reporting
on Islam: Journalists get a lesson, The American Observer, USA, Apr
17, 2002
Documentarian Charles Stuart's documentary "The AMC Project:
Hollywood & The Muslim World,” hears from Arabs about what
he calls a "love-hate relationship" between Muslims and
American media.
