The Maydan

It’s finally happening. islamicstudiescenter.gmu.edu/events/17717

We're very excited to announce the publication of the first issue of Islamic Intellectual Traditions! In print and online (open access). Wonderful articles in this issue, so please have a look: brill.com/view/journals/…

Here is a digital catalog of Ottoman books, documents, and periodicals, often with free PDFs—an essential tool for researchers. #ottomanstudies #history #literature kutuphane.osmanlica.com

In this episode of A Common Word, Dr. Younus Mirza @ymirza3131 hosts Dr. Deanna Womack--themaydan.com/2026/03/a-comm… I have always wondered about the roots of modern day #Islamophobia?  When did it start?  How did it develop?  How was it formed?  In this interview, Deanna Womack takes us into her new book "Re-inventing Islam: Gender and the Protestant Roots of American Islamophobia" where she examines the connection between the history of #missions and contemporary Islamophobia.  Along the way, she provides a more nuanced understanding of missionaries, their lives, goals and aspirations.  Many of them would eventually became champions of interfaith dialogue and build bridges between the civilizations.

Excited to share this podcast on the "Inner Dimensions of Fasting" through the @themaydan. Enjoyed being on a panel with Celene Ibrahim, Oludamini Ogunnaike with host Roshan Iqbal. We speak about both the inner and out dimensions of fasting in the Qur'an and mystical traditions. Enjoyed learning from the other participants on how to better understand fasting in classic and modern times. themaydan.com/2025/02/histor…

Ramadan is this week so I am happy to share some resources on the month! First is a blog that I wrote regarding "Maryam's Fast" or how the word sawm or fasting is used in the Qur'anic story of Mary. Maryam is told to take "a vow of fasting" and not speak to anyone that day. Frequently, folks think of "fasting" as related to food and the month of Ramadan but the story of Maryam takes us back to its original meaning of refraining from something for a larger spiritual benefit. There is a long history in Islamic tradition regarding "fasting of tongue" (sawm al-lisan) and using the month of Ramadan to be conscious of your thoughts, actions and words. The blog helped inspire my book "The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries." I wish you a blessed month! @themaydan themaydan.com/2022/04/maryam…

History Speaks EP 18 | Shi’a Islam in Post-Soviet Eastern Europe | Roshan Iqbal with Akif Tahiiev themaydan.com/podcasts/histo… In this episode of History Speaks, Dr. Roshan Iqbal is joined by Dr. Akif Tahieev to explore a topic that rarely appears in mainstream scholarship: Shia Muslim communities in post-Soviet Eastern Europe. Together, they discuss who these communities are, how they live and practice their faith, and why their stories have been overlooked in both Islamic studies and European studies. From questions of identity and conversion to the impact of recent conflicts, this conversation opens a window onto a world many listeners may not know exists.

themaydan.com/2026/01/a-comm… In this episode of A Common Word @themaydan Podcast, Dr. @ymirza3131 hosts Dr. Khairudin Aljunied, one of the foremost experts in Islam in Southeast Asia, to better understand the region and Islam’s relationship with other faiths.

Join us tomorrow for the 8th Annual Graduate Student Book Review Colloquium on Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies on Zoom. Register @ACGISGMU islamicstudiescenter.gmu.edu/events/17529

Living Archives: The Histories of Black Tijanis from the U.S. to Senegal is showcasing illuminating histories and a vibrant audience. Panel 2 is underway with a lively discussion of Shaykh Hassan Cisse’s pan-Africanism.

Today is a sad day for many reasons for us at @themaydan and @ACGISGMU- two giants of our community, Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina and Dr. Yaqub Mirza passed away. As we prepare a tribute that is worthwhile of them both, we wanted to share our interview with Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina. Since this interview in 2017, Dr. Sachedina continued to add to his scholarship despite his health challenges. For now, we encourage students of Islamic Studies to be inspired with his life and work. themaydan.com/2017/09/interv…

In this episode of History Speaks, Dr. Roshan Iqbal speaks with Dr. Sarra Tlili, author of Animals in the Qur’an, a groundbreaking work—translated into Arabic—that has reshaped scholarship on Islam, ethics, and the environment. themaydan.com/podcasts/histo… Together, they explore her thesis that the Qur’an is theocentric and not an anthropocentric text and what this means for how we understand creation and ourselves.

[updated start time] Organized by Dr. Samiha Rahman and Dr. @rasul_miller with support from @ACGISGMU, AISSHA, and Pillars of the Community. Join us for Living Archives: The Histories of Black Tijanis from the U.S. to Senegal, a gathering to explore the profound legacy, scholarship, and spiritual tradition shaped by Black Muslim communities across the Atlantic. 📚✨ Registration:
tiny.cc/livingarchives
📅 Date: Saturday, December 6th, 2025
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST
📍 Location: 485 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Join us for Living Archives: The Histories of Black Tijanis from the U.S. to Senegal, a gathering to explore the profound legacy, scholarship, and spiritual tradition shaped by Black Muslim communities across the Atlantic. 📚✨led by scholars Dr. Samiha Rahman and Dr. @rasul_miller in partnership with @ACGISGMU , AISSHA, and Pillars, this event is a must-attend. Registration & further details: tiny.cc/livingarchives 📅 Date: Saturday, December 6th, 2025 ⏰ Time: 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM EST 📍 Location: 485 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Surreal to see my book “The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries”displayed at the American Academy of Religion Conference in Boston. Want to thank ⁦@Fortresspress⁩ and editor ⁦@Adam_Bursi⁩ for all of their work in bringing to life and promoting it.

Wrote a little tribute to Roy Mottahedeh. Thank you @themaydan for publishing it!

In Memoriam: Prof. Roy Parviz Mottahedeh with contributions by Arafat Razzaque, Han Hsien Liew (@liew_hh), and Sumaiya Hamdani | Three contributors remember late Prof. Mottahedeh's academic legacy for @themaydan | themaydan.com/2025/11/in-mem…

In-person & on Zoom- today at 4:30pm. Register at @ACGISGMU 👇🏽 islamicstudiescenter.gmu.edu/events/17605

🎙️ New episode of History Speaks: Dr. Roshan Iqbal talks with Dr. Natalie Khazaal (@natalie_khazaal) about how racism, speciesism, and cultural bias are woven into animated films—and how we can challenge them. 👁️ What does it mean to see and be seen in stories meant for everyone? Listen here--> History Speaks EP14 | # Oscars # Animation # Racism # Speciesism | Roshan Iqbal with Natalie Khazaal themaydan.com/podcasts/histo…

In this episode of History Speaks, Dr. Roshan Iqbal speaks with Dr. Elliott Bazzano, Associate Professor at Le Moyne College, about #Islamophobia, the election of #ZohranMamdani, and what his success means for U.S. Muslims. Listen here for this timely conversation themaydan.com/podcasts/histo…