CAIS Newsletter

Welcome to Nūr: the Newsletter of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at St. Bonaventure University. The center seeks to promote an understanding of Arab and Islamic cultures, an appreciation of their historical and contemporary significance in the global community, and to foster respectful relations between Muslim and Christian people.

Please note: A limited number of paper copies of Nūr are available. If you would like to receive a paper copy, please send an email to mcalabri@sbu.edu.

THE LATEST EDITION:

• Fall 2017 — Volume 3, No. 1
  FOCUS: Women and Gender
  
  • Women and Gender in Islam: From Revelation to Revolution.
  • Profiles of Muslim Women: Mumtaz Mahal (1593-1631)
  • Hijabs and Headscarves
  • Book Review: The Sultan and the Queen: The Untold Story of Elizabeth and Islam.
  • Dialogue in Delhi
  • Interfaith Prayer Service at Francis Week
  • Arab and Islamic Studies courses for spring 2018

Past Editions

• Spring 2017 — Volume 2, No. 2
  • President Dwight D. Eisenhower's speech at dedication ceremonies for the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., June 28, 1957.
  • An interview with Dr. Adil al-Humadi, Olean physician, prominent member of the Southern Tier Muslim community, and a founding benefactor of the CAIS at SBU.
  • An update on the Muslim Students Association at SBU, known as Muslim Students & Allies.
  • Book reviews: "Blood and Sand: Suez, Hungary, and Eisenhower's Campaign for Peace," by Alex Von Tunzelmann; and "What is Islam? The Importance of Being Islamic," by Shabab Ahmed.
  • Exhibit reviews: "The Art of the Qur'an," Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; and "Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven," Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
  • Meewt the members of the Special Commission for Dialogue with Islam and their mission
  • St. Bonaventure hosts Febrary screening of "Sultan and the Saint."

• Fall 2016 — Vol. 2, No. 1
  • Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., first president emeritus of St. Bonaventure, on why it makes sense for a Catholic university to host the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies.
  • SBU professors Durriya and Zahid Khairullah discuss their personal and professional journeys in and among Christians of India and the U.S.
  • Book reviews: "ISIS: A History," by Fawaz A. Gerges; and "The Study Qur'an," edited by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.
  • Reviews of exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.
• Winter 2016 — Vol. 1, No. 2
  • Letter from Fr. Michael Calabria, O.F.M.
  • From Morocco to the Mughal Court: Crusading Commerce in Islamic Lands (1615-1415)
  • Exhibition Review: "The Fabric of India," exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London
  • Book Review: "Conquerors: How Portugal Seized the Indian Ocean and Forged the First Global Empire," by Roger Crowley
  • Spring course offerings
  • Summer program: Women and Gender in Islam, July 4-29 
• Fall 2015 — Vol. 1, No. 1
  • "The Hajj: Journey of a Lifetime," by Fr. Michael Calabria, O.F.M.
    
  • "Arabic: A Personal Journey," by Wardia Hart
  • Reviews of exhibitions in Toronto and New York
  • Recommended readings