CICW Graduate Student Institute
"Islam in the Contemporary World"
May 30 - June 13, 2023
"Islam in the Contemporary World"
May 30 - June 13, 2023
SCHEDULE
(All times are US Eastern Standard Time)
Please note the order of presentations is tentative and is subject to change.
Tuesday, May 30
Students’ arrival and check-in (after 3 pm)
Wednesday, May 31
9:00 – 10:00 – Opening Session
10:30 – 1:00 – The Qur’anic Worldview, Dr. Ermin Sinanović
1:00 – 3:00 - Break
3:00 – 5:00 – Learning Community, Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Thursday, June 1
9:00 – 12:00 – History and Importance of the Sunnah, Dr. Jonathan Brown
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Interpreting the Qur’an, Dr. Maria Dakake
Friday, June 2
9:00 – 12:00 – Understanding the Qur’an, Dr. Younus Mirza
12:00 – 2:30 – Break / Salat al-Jum’ah
2:30 – 5:30 – The Prophet’s Sira (Life), Dr. Ovamir Anjum
Saturday, June 3
9:00 – 12:00 – Ummatics: Thinking about the Muslim World, Dr. Ovamir Anjum
12:00 – 2:00 - Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Islam in North America, Dr. Aminah Al-Deen
6:30 – Group Dinner
Sunday, June 4
9:00 – 12:00 – Modern Muslim Theology, Dr. Martin Nguyen
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 4:00 – Islamic Faith-Based Wealth Building, Dr. Yaqub Mirza
4:30 – 6:30 – Learning Community, Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Monday, June 5
9:00 – 12:00 – Sufi Thought and Practice, Dr. Martin Nguyen
12:00 – 2:00 - Break
2:00 – 5:00 – The Prophet’s Legacy in the Modern World, Dr. Jonathan Brown
Tuesday, June 6
9:30 – 12:00 – Renewal and Reform in Islamic Thought, Ermin Sinanović
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Prophetic Pedagogy, Dr. Amaarah DeCuir and Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
Wednesday, June 7
9:00 – 12:00 – Islamic Ethics, Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Contemporary Islamic Thought, Ermin Sinanović
Thursday, June 8
9:00 – 12:00 – Sociocultural Perspectives in Islamic Education, Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Islamic Antiracist Education Leadership, Dr. Amaarah DeCuir
Friday, June 9
9:00 – 12:00 – Learning Community, Dr. Nisa Muhammad
12:00 – 2:30 – Break / Salat al-Jum’ah
2:30 – 5:30 – The Qur’anic Model of Family, Dr. Zainab Alwani
Saturday, June 10
9:00 – 12:00 – Understanding Islamic Law, Dr. Jasser Auda
12:00 – 2:00 - Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Understanding Islamic Law, Dr. Jasser Auda
Sunday, June 11
Picnic for faculty and students
Monday, June 12
9:00 – 12:00 – What is Modernity?, Dr. Rushain Abbasi
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – The Question of Islam and Modernity, Dr. Rushain Abbasi
Tuesday, June 13
9:00 – 10:00 – Concluding Discussion, Dr. Nisa Muhammad and Dr. Ermin Sinanović
10:30 – 11:30 – Concluding Session / Graduation
MODULE DESCRIPTIONS
The Qur’anic Worldview
The module discusses the Qur’anic cosmology, the oneness of God, and the place of humans in the universe. It centers the Qur’anic tawhid as the main source of Islamic worldview, ontology, and epistemology.
Learning Community
These discussions will enhance the academic sessions and allow the students to take academic material and make it relevant to their lives. Topics will range from What it Means to Be Muslim on Campus to Leading on Campus with Islamic Values to Gender Equity to BLM (Black Lives around the Messenger, peace be upon him) to Living the Quran, to the student’s choice of topic. This will be a safe and sacred space to share feelings in a non-judgmental manner that allows the students to continue to grow.
Understanding the Qur’an
What is the Qur’an, how was it compiled, and what disciplines did the Muslims develop to understand God’s revelations? The module also looks at the modern translations of the Qur’an in English and analyzes how they help or hinder the understanding of the Qur’anic message.
Interpreting the Qur’an
This discussion covers historical and contemporary schools of interpreting the Qur’an. It includes the conversation about various methodologies employed by Muslim scholars in understanding the Qur’anic message. It also takes account of the academic study of the Qur’an in contemporary times.
The Qur’anic Model of Family
By analyzing the higher Qur’anic objectives and values, this module provides a deeper understanding of the concept of family in Islam. The cardinal values of justice, compassion, and complementarity are studied within the framework of higher objectives of the Qur’an.
History and Importance of the Sunnah
This course analyzes the role of the Sunnah in Muslim life, history, and methodology. It covers the history of the Sunnah, major compilations of the Hadith, and methodologies the Muslim scholars have developed to preserve and interpret the Prophet’s (SAW) legacy.
The Prophet’s Legacy in the Modern World
How was the Sunnah received in modern times by the Muslims and by the non-Muslim scholarship on Islam? The module discusses the developments in the Hadith methodology in modern times and provides different ways in which the Sunnah was appropriated in light of modern conditions.
The Prophet’s Sira (Life)
This module studies the relevance of the Prophet’s (SAW) Sira (life). It analyzes the principal values that can be derived from the Prophet’s example. It further emphasizes the significance of Sira for contemporary Muslim life and thought.
Ummatics: Thinking about the Muslim World
This discussion focuses on the meaning and manifestation of the Ummah (the global Muslim community). It introduces methodology and lenses for thinking about the Muslim world as a global community.
Modern Muslim Theology
This discussion brings Muslim theology into the present day. Focused on the relationship of the human to the divine and of faith to righteousness, the module presents a new theological vision rooted in the practice of the religious imagination.
Sufi Thought and Practice
It introduces students to Sufi thought and practice. The module looks at the origins and development of Sufism. It further provides case studies of the leading Muslim Sufi practitioners, such as Abdullah b. Mubarak, Rabia Adawiya, and al-Qushayri.
Islam and Modernity
The module analyzes the underpinnings of Western modernity and its relationship to Islamic thought. It looks at historical and philosophical perspectives that help the students understand the role of modernity and the place of Islam in the modern world.
Islamic Faith-based Wealth Building
This practical module makes the case, based on Islamic values, for arranging one’s life — and material pursuits — in ways that benefit the person and society at large. It shows how the attainment of wealth and prosperity can be achieved by following five key activities: Earning, Saving, Investing, Spending, and Giving.
Prophetic Pedagogy
It studies the methods, techniques, and style of instruction that are drawn from the life practices of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. The Prophet Muhammad SAW is the embodiment of an Islamic educator. This module helps in constructing original conceptualizations of his teaching and leading practices as they inform the educational priorities of today’s classroom teachers and educational leaders.
Renewal and Reform in Islamic Thought
This module examines the modern history of revival and reform in Islamic thought. It begins with theoretical conceptualizations of revival and reform and continues with case studies of significant thinkers that have contributed to this area from the late 19th century until today.
Sociocultural Perspectives in Islamic Education
Islamic Antiracist Education Leadership
Islamic Ethics
This module looks at Islamic juridical ethics that is embedded in the textual legacy of the Islamic legal tradition. It examines how modernity has challenged juridical ethics in Islam and the variety of ways in which legal-ethical thinkers have answered these challenges.
Understanding Islamic Law
The course looks at the origins and development of Islamic law. It emphasizes the maqasidi approaches that look at the philosophy and objectives of Shari’a. It provides new ways of engaging Islamic juridical tradition and answering the new realities facing contemporary Muslims.
Contemporary Islamic Thought
The module examines the recent developments in contemporary Islamic thought. It highlights the novel approaches to understanding Islamic legacy and critically engages with the current state of Islamic thought.
Islam in North America
It looks at the history of Islam in North America. The module foregrounds the experience of African-American Muslims and their role in establishing and living Muslim traditions in North America.
(All times are US Eastern Standard Time)
Please note the order of presentations is tentative and is subject to change.
Tuesday, May 30
Students’ arrival and check-in (after 3 pm)
Wednesday, May 31
9:00 – 10:00 – Opening Session
10:30 – 1:00 – The Qur’anic Worldview, Dr. Ermin Sinanović
1:00 – 3:00 - Break
3:00 – 5:00 – Learning Community, Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Thursday, June 1
9:00 – 12:00 – History and Importance of the Sunnah, Dr. Jonathan Brown
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Interpreting the Qur’an, Dr. Maria Dakake
Friday, June 2
9:00 – 12:00 – Understanding the Qur’an, Dr. Younus Mirza
12:00 – 2:30 – Break / Salat al-Jum’ah
2:30 – 5:30 – The Prophet’s Sira (Life), Dr. Ovamir Anjum
Saturday, June 3
9:00 – 12:00 – Ummatics: Thinking about the Muslim World, Dr. Ovamir Anjum
12:00 – 2:00 - Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Islam in North America, Dr. Aminah Al-Deen
6:30 – Group Dinner
Sunday, June 4
9:00 – 12:00 – Modern Muslim Theology, Dr. Martin Nguyen
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 4:00 – Islamic Faith-Based Wealth Building, Dr. Yaqub Mirza
4:30 – 6:30 – Learning Community, Dr. Nisa Muhammad
Monday, June 5
9:00 – 12:00 – Sufi Thought and Practice, Dr. Martin Nguyen
12:00 – 2:00 - Break
2:00 – 5:00 – The Prophet’s Legacy in the Modern World, Dr. Jonathan Brown
Tuesday, June 6
9:30 – 12:00 – Renewal and Reform in Islamic Thought, Ermin Sinanović
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Prophetic Pedagogy, Dr. Amaarah DeCuir and Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
Wednesday, June 7
9:00 – 12:00 – Islamic Ethics, Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Contemporary Islamic Thought, Ermin Sinanović
Thursday, June 8
9:00 – 12:00 – Sociocultural Perspectives in Islamic Education, Dr. Rehenuma Asmi
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Islamic Antiracist Education Leadership, Dr. Amaarah DeCuir
Friday, June 9
9:00 – 12:00 – Learning Community, Dr. Nisa Muhammad
12:00 – 2:30 – Break / Salat al-Jum’ah
2:30 – 5:30 – The Qur’anic Model of Family, Dr. Zainab Alwani
Saturday, June 10
9:00 – 12:00 – Understanding Islamic Law, Dr. Jasser Auda
12:00 – 2:00 - Break
2:00 – 5:00 – Understanding Islamic Law, Dr. Jasser Auda
Sunday, June 11
Picnic for faculty and students
Monday, June 12
9:00 – 12:00 – What is Modernity?, Dr. Rushain Abbasi
12:00 – 2:00 – Break
2:00 – 5:00 – The Question of Islam and Modernity, Dr. Rushain Abbasi
Tuesday, June 13
9:00 – 10:00 – Concluding Discussion, Dr. Nisa Muhammad and Dr. Ermin Sinanović
10:30 – 11:30 – Concluding Session / Graduation
MODULE DESCRIPTIONS
The Qur’anic Worldview
The module discusses the Qur’anic cosmology, the oneness of God, and the place of humans in the universe. It centers the Qur’anic tawhid as the main source of Islamic worldview, ontology, and epistemology.
Learning Community
These discussions will enhance the academic sessions and allow the students to take academic material and make it relevant to their lives. Topics will range from What it Means to Be Muslim on Campus to Leading on Campus with Islamic Values to Gender Equity to BLM (Black Lives around the Messenger, peace be upon him) to Living the Quran, to the student’s choice of topic. This will be a safe and sacred space to share feelings in a non-judgmental manner that allows the students to continue to grow.
Understanding the Qur’an
What is the Qur’an, how was it compiled, and what disciplines did the Muslims develop to understand God’s revelations? The module also looks at the modern translations of the Qur’an in English and analyzes how they help or hinder the understanding of the Qur’anic message.
Interpreting the Qur’an
This discussion covers historical and contemporary schools of interpreting the Qur’an. It includes the conversation about various methodologies employed by Muslim scholars in understanding the Qur’anic message. It also takes account of the academic study of the Qur’an in contemporary times.
The Qur’anic Model of Family
By analyzing the higher Qur’anic objectives and values, this module provides a deeper understanding of the concept of family in Islam. The cardinal values of justice, compassion, and complementarity are studied within the framework of higher objectives of the Qur’an.
History and Importance of the Sunnah
This course analyzes the role of the Sunnah in Muslim life, history, and methodology. It covers the history of the Sunnah, major compilations of the Hadith, and methodologies the Muslim scholars have developed to preserve and interpret the Prophet’s (SAW) legacy.
The Prophet’s Legacy in the Modern World
How was the Sunnah received in modern times by the Muslims and by the non-Muslim scholarship on Islam? The module discusses the developments in the Hadith methodology in modern times and provides different ways in which the Sunnah was appropriated in light of modern conditions.
The Prophet’s Sira (Life)
This module studies the relevance of the Prophet’s (SAW) Sira (life). It analyzes the principal values that can be derived from the Prophet’s example. It further emphasizes the significance of Sira for contemporary Muslim life and thought.
Ummatics: Thinking about the Muslim World
This discussion focuses on the meaning and manifestation of the Ummah (the global Muslim community). It introduces methodology and lenses for thinking about the Muslim world as a global community.
Modern Muslim Theology
This discussion brings Muslim theology into the present day. Focused on the relationship of the human to the divine and of faith to righteousness, the module presents a new theological vision rooted in the practice of the religious imagination.
Sufi Thought and Practice
It introduces students to Sufi thought and practice. The module looks at the origins and development of Sufism. It further provides case studies of the leading Muslim Sufi practitioners, such as Abdullah b. Mubarak, Rabia Adawiya, and al-Qushayri.
Islam and Modernity
The module analyzes the underpinnings of Western modernity and its relationship to Islamic thought. It looks at historical and philosophical perspectives that help the students understand the role of modernity and the place of Islam in the modern world.
Islamic Faith-based Wealth Building
This practical module makes the case, based on Islamic values, for arranging one’s life — and material pursuits — in ways that benefit the person and society at large. It shows how the attainment of wealth and prosperity can be achieved by following five key activities: Earning, Saving, Investing, Spending, and Giving.
Prophetic Pedagogy
It studies the methods, techniques, and style of instruction that are drawn from the life practices of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. The Prophet Muhammad SAW is the embodiment of an Islamic educator. This module helps in constructing original conceptualizations of his teaching and leading practices as they inform the educational priorities of today’s classroom teachers and educational leaders.
Renewal and Reform in Islamic Thought
This module examines the modern history of revival and reform in Islamic thought. It begins with theoretical conceptualizations of revival and reform and continues with case studies of significant thinkers that have contributed to this area from the late 19th century until today.
Sociocultural Perspectives in Islamic Education
Islamic Antiracist Education Leadership
Islamic Ethics
This module looks at Islamic juridical ethics that is embedded in the textual legacy of the Islamic legal tradition. It examines how modernity has challenged juridical ethics in Islam and the variety of ways in which legal-ethical thinkers have answered these challenges.
Understanding Islamic Law
The course looks at the origins and development of Islamic law. It emphasizes the maqasidi approaches that look at the philosophy and objectives of Shari’a. It provides new ways of engaging Islamic juridical tradition and answering the new realities facing contemporary Muslims.
Contemporary Islamic Thought
The module examines the recent developments in contemporary Islamic thought. It highlights the novel approaches to understanding Islamic legacy and critically engages with the current state of Islamic thought.
Islam in North America
It looks at the history of Islam in North America. The module foregrounds the experience of African-American Muslims and their role in establishing and living Muslim traditions in North America.