CICW Graduate Student Institute
"Islam in the Contemporary World"
"Islam in the Contemporary World"
Center for Islam in the Contemporary World (CICW)
at Shenandoah University and the Diyanet Center of America (DCA)
Graduate Student Institute
“Islam in the Contemporary World”
June 29 – July 9, 2026
Venue: Diyanet Center of America
Lanham, MD
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The CICW, in partnership with the Diyanet Center of America, is pleased to offer a summer student program, “Islam in the Contemporary World.” The program is a graduate students’ institute whose objectives are: (1) to provide graduate students with foundational instructions in Islamic studies with a focus on contemporary issues, (2) to have discussions about the lived experiences of Muslim graduate students, especially as they pertain to issues of wellness, equity, and belonging, and (3) to provide research mentorship. By combining academic and mentoring sessions, we aim to provide a rounded approach to Islam in the contemporary world.
Our pedagogy combines traditional Islamic learning with contemporary approaches and methods. We question the West-centric assumptions and epistemologies and bring Islamic epistemologies and approaches to pedagogy, learning, and thought into the conversation.
At the end of the program, the students will present a research proposal or a short paper they developed during the Graduate Student Institute on a topic of their choosing.
Venue
Through the partnership with the Diyanet Center of America, we will host the students at the DCA campus, which includes a mosque, library, restaurant, sports complex, accommodation, and many other facilities. By staying at DCA, the students will have an immersive experience, surrounded by beautiful Islamic architecture and facilities. You can learn more about DCA at https://diyanetamerica.org.
Contact: [email protected]
at Shenandoah University and the Diyanet Center of America (DCA)
Graduate Student Institute
“Islam in the Contemporary World”
June 29 – July 9, 2026
Venue: Diyanet Center of America
Lanham, MD
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The CICW, in partnership with the Diyanet Center of America, is pleased to offer a summer student program, “Islam in the Contemporary World.” The program is a graduate students’ institute whose objectives are: (1) to provide graduate students with foundational instructions in Islamic studies with a focus on contemporary issues, (2) to have discussions about the lived experiences of Muslim graduate students, especially as they pertain to issues of wellness, equity, and belonging, and (3) to provide research mentorship. By combining academic and mentoring sessions, we aim to provide a rounded approach to Islam in the contemporary world.
Our pedagogy combines traditional Islamic learning with contemporary approaches and methods. We question the West-centric assumptions and epistemologies and bring Islamic epistemologies and approaches to pedagogy, learning, and thought into the conversation.
At the end of the program, the students will present a research proposal or a short paper they developed during the Graduate Student Institute on a topic of their choosing.
Venue
Through the partnership with the Diyanet Center of America, we will host the students at the DCA campus, which includes a mosque, library, restaurant, sports complex, accommodation, and many other facilities. By staying at DCA, the students will have an immersive experience, surrounded by beautiful Islamic architecture and facilities. You can learn more about DCA at https://diyanetamerica.org.
Contact: [email protected]
- Please complete all sections of the application: Education Information, CV, Essays, and Transcript
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled in a graduate school program of any faith background, majoring in any discipline, based in the United States and Canada. College/university graduates with a degree in hand who are not yet enrolled in a graduate school program may also apply.
Tuition
There is no tuition fee.
Accommodation
Students will be provided accommodation and three meals per day (halal) at the Diyanet Center of America’s campus in Lanham, Maryland, at no cost. Accommodations will be shared, with separate accommodations for male and female students.
Transportation
Students are expected to cover their transportation costs to and from the program.
Method of instruction
In-person, at the Diyanet Center of America. Some sessions may be delivered via Zoom.
Attendance requirements
The successful applicants will be required to attend all sessions without exception. Please consider applying next year if you can’t commit to full attendance. Students are expected to arrive on June 29 and leave no earlier than 2 pm on July 9.
Award
The best student in the program will receive an award.
Graduation Certificates
Students who complete all program requirements will be awarded graduation certificates.
Email Contact
[email protected]
Graduate Summer Institute Teaching Faculty
(Past and Present)
To learn more about each Instructor, please click on the individual's name below (in alphabetical order):
Dr. Zainab Alwani
Founding Director and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD)
Dr. Rushain Abbasi
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities and Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Stanford University.
Dr. Aminah Al-Deen
Research Associate Professor, AbuSulayman Center, George Mason University
Dr. Ahmet Alibašić
Associate professor in the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarejevo
Dr. Ovamir Anjum
Chair of Islamic Studies Department at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo
Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
CICW Executive Board Member and a Convener of teacher training program
Dr. Jasser Auda
President, Maqasid Institute Global and Al-Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies at the International Peace College South Africa
Dr. Jonathan Brown
Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir
CICW Executive Board Member, Convener of teacher training program, and Professorial Lecturer in the School of Education at American University
Dr. Ahmet Kuru
Director of Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies and Bruce E. Porteous Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University.
Dr. Yaqub Mirza
CICW President and CEO, Sterling Management Group
Dr. Younus Mirza
Director of the Barzinji Project at Shenandoah University, Visiting Researcher at Georgetown University
Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Assistant Dean for Religious Life at Howard University and Contributor at the Yaqeen Institute
Dr. Shuruq Naguib
Lecturer in the Politics, Philosophy, and Religion Department at Lancaster University
Dr. Ermin Sinanović
Executive Director at CICW and Scholar in Residence at Shenandoah University
Dr. SherAli Tareen
Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Franklin & Marshall College
(Past and Present)
To learn more about each Instructor, please click on the individual's name below (in alphabetical order):
Dr. Zainab Alwani
Founding Director and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD)
Dr. Rushain Abbasi
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities and Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Stanford University.
Dr. Aminah Al-Deen
Research Associate Professor, AbuSulayman Center, George Mason University
Dr. Ahmet Alibašić
Associate professor in the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarejevo
Dr. Ovamir Anjum
Chair of Islamic Studies Department at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo
Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
CICW Executive Board Member and a Convener of teacher training program
Dr. Jasser Auda
President, Maqasid Institute Global and Al-Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies at the International Peace College South Africa
Dr. Jonathan Brown
Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir
CICW Executive Board Member, Convener of teacher training program, and Professorial Lecturer in the School of Education at American University
Dr. Ahmet Kuru
Director of Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies and Bruce E. Porteous Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University.
Dr. Yaqub Mirza
CICW President and CEO, Sterling Management Group
Dr. Younus Mirza
Director of the Barzinji Project at Shenandoah University, Visiting Researcher at Georgetown University
Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Assistant Dean for Religious Life at Howard University and Contributor at the Yaqeen Institute
Dr. Shuruq Naguib
Lecturer in the Politics, Philosophy, and Religion Department at Lancaster University
Dr. Ermin Sinanović
Executive Director at CICW and Scholar in Residence at Shenandoah University
Dr. SherAli Tareen
Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Franklin & Marshall College
To view the schedule for 2026, please click the button below: