History

The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU) is internationally recognized as a leader in the study of Islam and Muslim-Christian relations. The Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding: History and International Affairs was created in 1993 with substantial funding from Hasib Sabbagh, designed by John L. Esposito its Founding Director. Its name was changed in 2005, following a generous endowment gift from Alwaleed Philanthropies. The mission of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU) is twofold: to build bridges of mutual understanding between the Muslim world and the West and to enhance understanding of Muslims in the West.

The Center reflects Georgetown University’s Jesuit heritage and recognition of the importance of religion in contemporary international affairs. The global presence and impact of Islam is a fact of international life; understanding Muslim-Christian relations in global affairs is a focal concern of the Center. ACMCU’s course offerings, programming, and community outreach has expanded in response to increasing challenges to pluralism and interfaith understanding in international affairs.

ACMCU faculty have taught courses such as The Study of Islam and Muslim-Christian Relations, Islam & the West, Religion and International Affairs, Religion & Violence history of Islam, Gender, Culture and Islam, The Islamic World, Islam and Democracy, Makers of Contemporary Islam, Islam & Politics. The Future of Islam, Democracy and Global Terrorism, Islamic Movements in Pakistan, Intercivilizational Dialogue in Southeast Asia, Islamic political and social movements. They have published hundreds of books and articles translated and published in more than 55 languages as well as served as Editor-in Chief of Oxford University Press’ encyclopedias on the Islamic world and Islamic Law and other reference works. Faculty have also spoken at venues around the world and served as consultants to government leaders, diplomats, policymakers, corporate executives, and members of the media.

The Center has organized more than a thousand conferences, panels, and workshops and hosted fellows and researchers from Australia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, China, Japan, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Romania, Spain, Sweden, England, France, and Germany. Center faculty have served as president of the American Academy of Religion, Middle East Studies Association and serve on the boards of international organizations and scholarly journals.

As we approach our 30^th anniversary, drawing on the networks of scholars, religious and political leaders, the media and global communities, ACMU has established across the world, we look forward to the next decade of realizing our mission at home and abroad.