Dr. Homayra Ziad is a spiritual seeker, scholar-activist and nationally recognized interfaith practitioner, and she has served in spiritual care and leadership roles in both Muslim and interreligious settings. Earning her doctorate in Religious Studies from Yale, with a special interest in Islamic spirituality, philosophical Sufism, and Indo-Persian textual traditions, Dr. Ziad has served universities, seminaries, and faith-based nonprofits with her community-engaged teaching and scholarship grounded in equitable, compassionate relationship-building. She was Senior Lecturer and Director of the Program in Islamic Studies at Johns Hopkins University where she received the undergraduate teaching award, and was recognized for her innovative teaching and mentorship. Before this, she was Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies at Trinity College and then Scholar of Islam at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where she spearheaded public engagement on Islam.

For two decades, Dr. Ziad has created educational and spiritual care programs that connect religion with the arts, public health, and mental health, and she has supported educators, activists, artists, and religious leaders in navigating pluralism and fostering networks of social change. While at Hopkins, she led a national faculty fellowship on community-engaged learning in Islamic Studies, partnered with American Muslim Health Professionals to mobilize students to address vaccine hesitancy and access in Muslim communities, and co-created Art, Religion and Cities with colleagues at Morgan State University and the Walters Art Museum. She also served on the founding teams of 99 Clay Vessels, an arts and social justice project by and for Muslim women, and Healing Khayal, a music and healing residency for young artists in Pakistan. Dr. Ziad was on the Board of the ACLU of Maryland and served for two years as Board President.

Dr. Ziad was founding co-chair of the American Academy of Religion’s (AAR) Interreligious and Interfaith Studies Group. She writes for academic and popular venues, consults on programs for film and media, and is co-editor of Words to Live By: Sacred Sources for Interreligious Engagement (Orbis Press, 2018). Most recently, she served as Director of Campus Partnerships at Interfaith America. 

“We are so thrilled to have Dr. Homayra lead our Divinity Program and take our Hassan Institute to new levels of transformative engagement and impact. Her wisdom and pastoral spirit will bring so much guidance and support to our M.Div. students, and her rich interfaith experience and international network will elevate and expand the work of the Hassan Institute, in sha’ Allah. Welcome Dr. Homayra!”

Dr. Timothy J Gianotti, President

Meet New AIC Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Özdemir

 A former university president and internationally respected environmental philosopher, VPAA Özdemir shares how he will be a part of President Timothy’s team and how his leadership ethos shapes his engagement with students, faculty, and the broader AIC community.

Leading with an Open Heart and Mind

Four Ways AIC’s New Academic Leader Embodies Authenticity, Dialogue, and Shared Growth

Dr. Ibrahim Özdemir is the newly appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs of AIC. Known internationally for his scholarship in environmental ethics and interfaith dialogue, Özdemir brings with him not only a distinguished academic career but a deep commitment to inclusive, curiosity-driven, and student-centered education.

Having started in his new role on August 1^st, Dr. Özdemir is already gaining recognition across the AIC community for his warm, approachable presence and intellectually open spirit.

As a former university president and advisor to global sustainability initiatives, he brings a collaborative, service-oriented mindset to academic leadership. “We are not just preparing students for jobs—we’re preparing them to be compassionate and critically engaged global citizens,” Özdemir says.

Here are four ways Dr. Özdemir is helping shape a renewed academic culture at AIC—one rooted in shared inquiry, deep listening, and ethical leadership.

1. Lead as a Co-Learner and Collaborator

“In every setting—from meetings to talking with students—I don’t come with all the answers,” Dr. Özdemir says. “I come to learn as much as I come to lead.”

He invites colleagues and students to co-create solutions when discussing curriculum development or student research projects. “Great teams grow through mutual respect and the joy of discovery,” he adds. His academic philosophy is grounded in shura—the Islamic principle of collective consultation—and reflects his experience fostering inclusive dialogue across faiths and disciplines.

“As educators and leaders, we must embody the ethical integrity and open-mindedness we wish to inspire in our graduates. Let us remember that our beloved Prophet ﷺ was described as a ‘living Qur’an’—bringing the Qur’anic wisdom and values to life through his actions, character, and example.” — VPAA Özdemir.

2. Embrace and Admit Uncertainty

Dr. Özdemir quickly acknowledges when he doesn’t have an immediate answer. But rather than see that as a limitation, he views it as an invitation to engage.

“As a philosopher, I hold that authenticity carries greater weight than authority. When I don’t know something, I acknowledge it openly, inviting others to explore the answer with me.” — VPAA Özdemir.

This attitude creates space for shared problem-solving and allows AIC’s academic leadership to be transparent, reflective, and responsive. He frequently redirected questions to the faculty senate or student governance bodies, reinforcing their agency and voice in institutional decisions.

3. Ask Open-Ended, Meaningful Questions

Whether speaking with faculty over coffee or engaging students after Jumu’ah, Dr. Özdemir is known for his thoughtful questions:

• What inspires your work right now?
• What barriers to learning should we be addressing together?
• What makes you feel seen and heard at AIC?

He believes that good leadership begins by allowing others’ stories to emerge.

“We listen not just to respond, but to understand what kind of community we’re building together.”     — VPAA Özdemir.

4. Be an Active Listener, Always

For Dr. Özdemir, the most powerful ideas are rarely born in boardrooms—they emerge in genuine conversation. A self-described student of Socrates, he applies the Socratic method across his academic and professional life, guided by the conviction that “dialogue is a form of mutual care.”

His leadership style is grounded in attentiveness—keeping his ear to the ground, learning as much from hallway exchanges as formal meetings. Whether advising students on their capstone projects or mentoring faculty toward publication, he meets people where they are. “We are shaping something greater than ourselves,” he often reminds his colleagues, “and that requires attention to both vision and voice.”

Drawing on his experience with UNESCO’s environmental ethics initiative, Dr. Özdemir extends this principle beyond the campus. He urges institutions to recognize that fundamental transformation begins when academic goals align with moral responsibility—to the Earth, society, and future generations.

Looking Ahead: AIC’s Promise for Transformative Education

As American Islamic College expands its academic programs, strengthens interfaith engagement, and prepares students for leadership in a complex world, Dr. Ibrahim Özdemir remains focused on one guiding mission: cultivating a culture of learning grounded in integrity, openness, and hope—values envisioned by the late Ismail R. al-Faruqi as the enduring spirit of AIC.

“Our role is to teach facts and help students cultivate wisdom, humility, and courage. That’s what an Islamic liberal arts education is truly about.” — VPAA Özdemir

We are delighted to introduce Dr. İbrahim Özdemir as AIC’s new Interim VP for Academic Affairs and welcome him to the talented, diverse, and growing AIC team. Dr. Ibrahim is a professor of environmental philosophy, and his works span the fields of environmental philosophy and ethics, ecology and religion, practical ethics, philosophical counseling, critical thinking, and Islamic philosophy. More specifically, his work explores the ethical responsibilities of individuals, communities, and governments towards the environment and advocates for a more sustainable and ecologically conscious approach to human activities.

Dr. Ibrahim has held teaching and senior administrative positions at universities in Turkiye, the US, and Finland since 1992. These include Harvard university, Hartford International University (formerly Hartford Seminary), Uskudar University, Abo Akademi University, and University of Turku – Finland. A widely respected Muslim environmentalist and lecturer, he is a life member of the World of Philosophy and the Turkish Association of Philosophy. In addition to his own scholarly books, articles, and presentations, he has served as a member of the drafting team for the Islamic Declaration for Global Climate Change (2015) and Environment, Religion and Culture in the Context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2016), which was published by UNEP. Presently, he is a core member of the draft team preparing the “al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth” document, which will be presented to UN.

He was noted in the book, Contemporary Thought in the Muslim World: Trends, Themes, and Issues by Carool Kersten (Routledge Press, 2019), as “the most prominent Islamic environmentalist in Turkey for many years”.

Welcome, Dr. Ibrahim!

American Islamic College has achieved membership with NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which authorizes AIC to provide quality distance learning to students across the United States, Alhumdulillah!

To students living outside Illinois (across the USA and across the globe): This is your opportunity to access a faith-rooted, academically rigorous education in Islamic studies—right from your home state. We warmly encourage you to apply and become part of our growing, diverse online learning community.

Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM CT

Doors open at 5:00 PM with a light reception.

Roosevelt University Schaumburg Campus – Zurich Alumni Hall
1400 Roosevelt Blvd
Schaumburg, IL 60173

There will be an opportunity to purchase the book and have it signed at the end of the event.
Advanced registration is required for this free but ticketed event.

Join us for an exciting book launch celebrating India by Audrey Truschke, a magisterial history spanning five millennia of the Indian subcontinent—from the Indus Valley Civilization to the complexities of the twenty-first century. This richly textured narrative explores the region’s political, social, religious, and cultural evolution, spotlighting its astonishing diversity and the voices of women, religious minorities, and marginalized groups. The evening will feature a wide-ranging, historically informed theological conversation on contemporary Hindu-Muslim relations, with Truschke joined by two leading scholars, delving into how India’s contested past continues to shape its present and future.

Audrey Truschke is Professor of South Asian History at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Trained in Sanskrit and Persian, her research focuses on the cultural, imperial, and intellectual history of medieval and early modern India as well as the politics of history in modern times. She is the author of three books: Culture of Encounters: Sanskrit at the Mughal Court (Columbia University Press, 2016), Aurangzeb: The Life and Legacy of India’s Most Controversial King (Stanford University Press, 2017), and The Language of History: Sanskrit Narratives of Indo-Muslim Rule (Columbia University Press, 2021). Her most recent book, India: 5,000 Years of History on the Subcontinent, will be published by Princeton University Press in June 2025.

Anantanand Rambachan is Professor Emeritus of Religion at Saint Olaf College, Minnesota, USA (1985-2021). He was also Forum Humanum Visiting Professor at the Academy for the Study of World Religions at the University of Hamburg in Germany (2013-2017). His books include Accomplishing the Accomplished: The Vedas as a Source of Valid Knowledge in Ṡaṅkara; The Limits of Scripture: Vivekananda’s Reinterpretation of the Authority of the Vedas, The Advaita Worldview: God, World and Humanity, A Hindu Theology of Liberation: Not-Two is Not-One; Essays in Hindu Theology and Pathways to Hindu-Christian Dialogue. Prof. Rambachan has been involved in interreligious relations and dialogue for over 40 years, as a Hindu contributor and analyst. He is a Co-President of Religions for Peace.

R. David Coolidge is Research Faculty at Bayan Islamic Graduate School. He was previously the Associate University Chaplain for the Muslim Community at Brown University, the Muslim Advisor at Dartmouth College, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service at New York University. He received a PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in 2023, and an MA in Religion from Princeton University in 2008. He has served on the boards of various American Muslim nonprofit organizations, including Zaytuna College, Taleef Collective, and Al-Kisa Foundation. As a preacher, he has given hundreds of sermons/talks and led prayers in dozens of Sunnī and Shīʿī masjids around the country. R. David Coolidge has produced numerous academic publications, as well as books and articles of relevance to the wider American Muslim community.

Mahan Mirza is the visiting Vice President for Academic Affairs at American Islamic College for the 2024 – 2025 year. He is also the Executive Director of the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion at the University of Notre Dame and a teaching Professor of Islam & Science in the Keough School of Global Affairs. Mirza holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Texas Austin, MA from Hartford Seminary in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, and PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University. Dr. Mirza has edited two special issues of The Muslim World and served as assistant editor of the Princeton Encyclopaedia of Islamic Political Thought.

Timothy J. Gianotti is the President of American Islamic College and a scholar of classical Islamic theology, philosophy, and spirituality with strong interests in Islamic Psychology, Moral Theology, Ethics, Political Thought, comparative religion and spirituality, and interfaith relations; more specifically, he is a scholar of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d.1111), one of the most important religious thinkers of the classical period. Dr. Gianotti is also recognized as a Muslim theologian, pastoral leader, and committed interfaith advocate with extensive experience promoting interfaith engagement around the globe. Dr.Gianotti is the author of Al-Ghazali’s Unspeakable Doctrine of the Soul (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 2001) and In the Light of a Blessed Tree: Illuminations of Islamic Belief, Practice, and History (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2011).

Hosts:

American Islamic College
Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion at University of Notre Dame
Roosevelt University

Sponsors:

American Islamic College
Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion at University of Notre Dame
Roosevelt University
Indian American Muslim Council
Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies
Hindus for Human Rights
South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy
The Sikh Coalition.

Download Flyer:

Exploring the Stories of India Flyer

Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM CT
Where: Library, Main Bldg, American Islamic College

With hearts full of gratitude, joy, and pride in our graduates, we celebrated a powerful milestone at American Islamic College on May 9, 2025. This was our first graduation ceremony since the onset of the pandemic. As we celebrate the commitment and academic achievement of the graduates, we renew our dedication to the pursuit of knowledge for the love of God and the service of humanity.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Teepu Siddique, our esteemed honorary doctorate recipient, for his lifelong contributions to science and his love for the broader sphere of learning, and we thank our esteemed keynote speaker, Alia J. Bilal, for her inspiring words and unwavering commitment to community and justice.

Congratulations to our graduates! May your journeys ahead be filled with purpose, impact, and Divine blessing.

Pakistani American neurologist best known for his discoveries concerning the genetic and molecular abnormalities underlying the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Siddique’s distinction extends beyond the laboratory. He is a true “man of letters,” an intellectual whose passion for knowledge encompasses vast landscapes of human thought.

This honorary degree acknowledges not only his long and impactful career as a scientist but also his lifelong embrace of learning in its widest sense, embodying the very essence of a liberal arts education that AIC champions. Dr. Siddique stands as an inspiring figure, demonstrating the harmonious coexistence of rigorous scientific inquiry and a deep appreciation for the humanities, a confluence that enriches both the individual and the world.

Alia J. Bilal serves as Chief Executive Director at the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), a nonprofit community organization based in Chicago that fosters health, wellness, and healing in the inner-city by organizing for social change, cultivating the arts, and operating a holistic health center. Alia co-leads and oversees the administration, strategic development, communications, and program implementation of the organization.

In her 15 years at IMAN, Alia has helped the organization grow from a small nonprofit with an operational budget under $1 million to an organization with over 100 full-time staff members, a federally qualified health center, multiple campuses in Chicago and Atlanta, and an operational budget of over $20 million.

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM Light Reception | 7:00 PM Talk
Library, American Islamic College

Omer Awass is an associate professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the American Islamic College in Chicago, IL. His current research interests center on religion, modernity, and globalization. He has been carrying out field research on contemporary fatwas across the Muslim world to assess how they are negotiating their postcolonial realities. His book Fatwa and the Making and Renewal of Islamic Law is published by Cambridge University Press (2023). Read More >

Kholoud al-Ajarma is Alwaleed Lecturer in the Globalised Muslim World and Deputy Director of the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh.

Kholoud holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology and Comparative Study of Religion from the University of Groningen (Netherlands). Her PhD thesis focused on the socio-cultural embeddedness of Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) in Moroccan everyday life. During her Ph.D. studies, she worked as a lecturer at the University of Groningen and delivered several courses including ‘Anthropology of Muslim Societies’, ‘Islam: History, Sources, and Practices’, and ‘Minorities in Contemporary Europe’. Her current research focuses on water resource management and contemporary environmental concerns in the Muslim World.

Kholoud received her MA in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from Coventry University (UK) and her Mphil in Anthropology and Development from the University of Bergen (Norway). In addition to her academic experience in anthropology and religion, Kholoud has worked in the fields of refugee studies, gender, youth development, migration, human rights, and environmental justice in several countries of the Mediterranean region including Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco. She was a Chevening visiting fellow at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) and peace fellow of the MENA cohort fellowship programme of the United Nations Allience of Civilizations (UNAOC).

Kholoud is also an award-winning photographer and film-maker who has extensive experience developing and leading programs and projects among refugee communities, including innovative platforms for human rights research and media production among young refugee youth. Full bio.

Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM CT
Repast to Follow

Library, American Islamic College
640 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613

Hosted By:

The Lutheran School of Theology
Catholic Theological Union
American Islamic College

As-salaamu ‘alaykum.

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون

Indeed, we all belong to God and to God we are all returning…

Today, with heavy but grateful hearts, we remember and honor the life of Dr. Ghulam-Haider Aasi — a husband, father, friend, mentor, scholar, and educator.

Dr. Aasi was the founding chair of History of Religions at American Islamic College, where his former professor and advisor, Dr. Ismail al-Faruqi of Temple University, was named founding President and Provost. Through his deep knowledge and commitment to scholarship, Dr. Aasi shaped the minds of many through his courses on Christian-Muslim relations at AIC, Catholic Theological Union, and The Lutheran School of Theology. His lasting influence extends beyond academia as he inspired countless individuals with his unwavering kindness, humility, and patience.

In addition to his academic work on the History of Religions and Islam, Dr. Aasi leaves behind a meaningful legacy of impactful interfaith relations. He was dedicated to promoting respect, understanding, and cooperation among diverse faith communities, acknowledging and welcoming the various perspectives within each, including Islam, in order to have a more truthful and open dialogue. His publications included Muslim Understanding of Other Religions (1991) and a contribution to Peace-building by, between, and beyond Muslims and Evangelical Christians (2009).
He was a person whose presence radiated warmth and wisdom, and whose contributions will endure in the relationships he nurtured and the ideals he championed. His life reminds us of the importance of faith, empathy, humility, and the power of meaningful dialogue.

As we remember Dr. Aasi, let us honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately pursued by building connections, sharing wisdom, and fostering peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who were touched by his endearing interactions, insightful work, and influential life.

The College remained a part of Dr. Aasi even well after his retirement, and he remains a part of the College with his lasting imprint. The AIC community will miss him dearly.

May he be welcomed home with love, forgiveness, and a joyous reception; may his life of service and transformative education be accepted; and may he be forever in the company of the righteous and granted the highest place in Paradise!

-Your AIC Family

Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT
4:00 – 5:30 pm Reception “Faith, Flavor, and Friendship”

Boarding: 12:45 PM / Depart: 1:00 PM from American Islamic College

Limited parking at 613 W. Bittersweet Place (rear of College)
Additional parking at Recreation Drive

Stops:

Return: 4:00 pm to American Islamic College

Join us on our 4th Chicago Interfaith Trolley Tour. This experiential learning opportunity presents the chance to learn about faith in practice, prayer and communal religious space, and some history of the neighborhood and its religious communities. You will get to meet people from other faith traditions and cultures and make connections with religious leaders. You will also learn about the various interfaith initiatives that these religious institutions host. This is a great way to learn more about your city and celebrate its vibrant diversity.

The Hassan Institute for Interfaith Encounter at American Islamic College, The Interreligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary, and A Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at The Lutheran School of Theology will be your hosts on April 6th.

We will explore four sacred spaces in the northside neighborhoods of Chicago. The day will end with a reception, “Faith, Flavor, and Friendship” at 4 – 5 pm at American Islamic College.

A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago fosters and deepens relations between Christians and Muslims and builds bridges of mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among people of all faiths. To learn more visit www.lstc.edu

The Hassan Institute for Interfaith Encounter at American Islamic College is commited to thoughtful, respectful, and socially impactful inter-religious engagement. It is inspired by a shared belief in the value of transformative, relational, and experiential learning. www.aicusa.edu

At Chicago Theological Seminary, our mission is to educate and inspire the next generation of religious leadership. As a historically Protestant and now multifaith seminary, we are commited to racial and social justice, to gender equality and to deep interreligious engagement. www.ctschicago.edu

American Islamic College’s application for the Dana Abadi Pesantren Micro-Credential 2024 Initiative was selected by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs resulting in a global partnership for intercultural and interreligious education. The Hassan Institute was honored to welcome 20 Indonesian scholars and teachers who journeyed for a 2-month non-degree certificate program titled “Religion, Peace, and Encounter: An AIC Certificate Program in Interreligious Peacebuilding.”

The program offered structured academic coursework and experiential learning opportunities through coordinated site visits to academic, civic, and religious facilities, as well as planned dialogue events across Chicagoland, as well as a trip to Washington D.C. The participants met with and learned from expert faculty and dedicated leaders about inter-and intra-religious understanding, cross-cultural dialogue, conflict management, and peace-building initiatives. In turn, we learned from them about their experience with religious moderation and madrasa education in Indonesia. View their public talk at AIC here. These exchanges were transformative in a multitude of ways and we were so grateful to have had these encounters, alhumdulillah.

Thank you to all the organizations that welcomed the delegation to learn more about your important work.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and The City of Chicago
The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition
Interfaith America
Catholic Theological Union
World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations
Masjid al-Taqwa
Mosque Maryam
Salaam Community Center
Sajida House
Turkish American Society of Chicago
Mosque Foundation
Universal School
Viator House
The University of Notre Dame, Ansari Institute
The Lutheran School of Theology, CCME
The University of Chicago, Middle East Studies & Divinity School
Seldon Institute
CAIR-Chicago
Ta’Leef Collective
Darussalaam
MECCA Center
Bahai Temple
Indonesia Consulate General
The Zoroastrian Center of Chicago
Chicago Dawoodi Bohra Community – Masjid Anjuman-e-Saifee
Macedonian Orthodox Church Sv Kiril i Metodij