History
The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU) is internationally recognized as a leader in the study of interactions and promotion of improved understanding between Muslim and Christian communities worldwide. Founded in 1993 as the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding: History and International Affairs, its name was changed in 2005, following a generous gift from Alwaleed Philanthropies.
The establishment of the Center reflects Georgetown Universityโs Jesuit heritage and recognition of the importance of understanding the role of religion in contemporary international affairs.ย The global presence and impact of Islam is a fact of international life; understanding this and relating it to other dimensions of global affairs is a focal concern of the Center.ย ACMCUโs course offerings, programming, and community outreach have evolved over the years, and expanded in response to increasing challenges to interfaith understanding and pluralism overall.
Over the Centerโs history, ACMCU faculty have taught courses in Religion and International Affairs, Arabic and Islamic Studies, History, and Theology; published hundreds of books, chapters, and articles, many translated and published in more than 45 languages; launched and overseen the editing of numerous reference works that have been adopted by libraries across the country; presented thousands of scholarly lectures at venues around the world; and participated in countless congressional briefings and media interviews. The Center has organized nearly a thousand conferences, panels, and workshops; published an Occasional Papers series; and hosted fellows and researchers from Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA. Center faculty members also serve on the boards of scholarly international organizations and journals, and as consultants to government leaders, diplomats, policymakers, corporate executives, and members of the media.