Our goals are to contribute scholars to Western
academia and leaders to serve U.S. Muslim
communities.
Professors:
To train students who are capable of teaching Islam in academic institutions. The discipline of Islamic Studies in the U.S. historically has taken insufficient interest in the study of Shi‘i Islam Islam. Special attention to Shi‘i Studies is, therefore, a necessary step in presenting a more accurate and comprehensive picture of Islam in academia.
Imams:
To train students to become qualified clerics (imams) and teachers in mosques and Islamic centers throughout North America, educated in both traditional and academic approaches to Islam. Some of the clerics and teachers who historically served Shi‘i mosques and centers throughout North America received their training only in the traditional approach and therefore have difficulty appealing to some of their constituents who are mostly Western-educated, particularly young people. This joint program would remedy that problem by giving individuals, who plan to be clerics and teachers in the Shi‘i community, the academic background they must have to do their work effectively.
Policy Makers:
To train students who can represent Shi‘i communities in public, academic, and policy forums and in the media.