THE MOHAMMED SAID FARSI
CHAIR OF ISLAMIC PEACE
The Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace is the first chair endowed at any university in the United States that is devoted to the study of Islam and peace. The chair will promote the study and understanding of Islamic values and traditions, and of Islamic contributions to the quest for global peace, world community, and human solidarity.
The first occupant of the chair is Professor Abdul Aziz Said, founder and director of the Inter national Peace and Conflict Resolution Program in the School of International Service at American University. Islamic perspectives on social justice, the environment, conflict resolution, cultural diversity and governance, as well as the contemporary and historical role of Muslims in peace making, will be explored through teaching and curriculum development, scholarship and academic conferences, and outreach to a broad audience that includes high schools and community colleges.
On December 6, 1996, American University received a gift from Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi to establish the Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of I slamic Peace. President Ladner noted that "this endowment will further enhance American University's already strong programs in peace and international studies." Professor Abdul Aziz Said will be the first occupant of the chair.
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From left to right: American University President, Benjamin
Ladner, Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi,
Professor Abdul Aziz Said, Mr. Hani M.S. Farsi.
"The establish ment of the Chair of Islamic Peace, will advance the understanding for the benefit of Muslims and non-Muslims alike--that peace and reconciliation are principles that reside at the very heart of Islam. Islam is perhaps the most misunderstood religion toda y, both among non-Muslims as well as among some Muslims themselves. The saying of the Prophet Muhammad appears to have been realized: 'Islam began as a stranger, and it will revert again to the condition of being a stranger. Blessed are the strangers.' Th e media-driven caricature of Islam in the West portrays it as an alien ideology driven by violence, intolerance and irrationality. This negative image compromises Western policies toward the Islamic countries and undermines world peace."
Abdul Aziz Said, American University, December 1996
For more information about the
Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace, contact
Professor Abdul Aziz Said
American
University
School of International Service
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8071
ph. (202) 885-1632
fax. (202) 885-6999
or e-mail, tawhid@american.edu
© 1997 American U niversity
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
Created by Karen Sahl Corbett for American University, February
1997.
Maintained by salima@american.edu -
last update, May 1997
