On Wednesday, January 25th, AIC welcomed Dr. Yousef Casewit of the University of Chicago Divinity School to speak at its Academic Lecture Forum. Dr. Casewit presented an intriguing discussion on the Names of Allah that precipitated deep reflection and critical thinking regarding the “self”, “God”, and tawhid. If you missed this thoughtful lecture, you may watch the recording above.

Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Time: 6:00pm Light Refreshments; 6:30pm Talk
Where: Conference Hall, Main Bldg, American Islamic College

Yousef Casewit is an Assistant Professor of Qur’anic Studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School. He specializes in the Qur’anic Studies, Andalusi and Maghribi intellectual history, and Sufism. He has several publications, the most recent (co-edited with Gerhard Bowering) is a critical edition of the Qurʾān Commentary by Ibn Barrajān of Seville (Brill TSQ Series, 2015). His study of Ibn Barrajan, The Mystics of al-Andalus, is forthcoming in April 2017. He is currently working on a critical edition, translation, and analytical examination of the “Commentary on the Beautiful Names of God” (Sharḥ asmāʾ Allāh al-ḥusnā) by the celebrated North African poet and gnostic ʿAfīf al-Dīn al-Tilimsānī (d. 690/1291). Born in Egypt and raised in Morocco, he is fluent in Arabic, French and Spanish. Yousef has traveled throughout the Islamic world, and has studied with Muslim scholars in Morocco, Syria, and Mauritania.

On January 12, 2017, American Islamic College had the honor of hosting Mayor Rahm Emanuel for a round table discussion with Muslim leaders focusing on upholding Chicago’s status as Sanctuary City in the face of new political challenges.

The early morning meeting was conceived and organized by the Mayor’s Office as a means of launching a dialogue with representatives of Chicago’s diverse Muslim Community. The group of some 25 Muslim leaders and activists was drawn from a wide range of Chicago-based Islamic organizations. Among the half a dozen city officials attending the round table were Deputy Mayor Andrea Zopp, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Navarro, Chicago’s 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman, Danny Solis Chicago’s 24th Ward Alderman, Lisa Morrison-Butler Commissioner of Chicago DFSS, Mona Noriega Commissioner of Human Rights, Seemi Choudry Director of the Mayor’s Office of New Americans and other members of the Mayor’s team.

Mayor Emanuel opened the meeting by focusing on his commitment to the concept and implications of Chicago being a Sanctuary City where hate and bigotry are not tolerated, particularly with respect to immigrants and minority communities. He reassured attendees that the recent changes in the political direction of the Federal Government would only strengthen his resolve to stand by vulnerable communities, and to protect the rights of Muslims in Chicago.

The Mayor was very open and forthright and reiterated the Welcoming City Ordinance message- promising that the City will not ask about immigration status or religious affiliation, disclose that information to authorities, or most importantly, deny someone City services based on one’s immigration status or faith community.

The Mayor’s Office is looking forward to continuing the dialogue with the dedicated and thoughtful leaders that participated in this first of a series of such events. We anticipate that AIC will continue to play a facilitative role.