Good company and good food, and a thoughtful lecture, were the order of the evening at the annual iftar/dinner hosted by IIIT at its office on Thursday, September 10. Muslim and other faith friends of IIIT joined the staff at the event attended by some 90 persons.

The highlight of the evening was the Isma’il al Faruqi Memorial Lecture delivered by Professor Cemil Ayden who is the first occupant of the IIIT Chair in Islamic Studies recently endowed by IIIT at George Mason University. Prof. Ayden traced the history of Islamic studies in the American academia and spoke of trends in its development.

Other guests who made brief remarks after the lecture included Virginia Delegate Tom Rust, Provost Peter Stearns of George Mason University, Captain Brad of Herndon Police Department, Imam Magid of ADAMS Center, and Visiting Professor Imtiyaz Yusuf of Georgetown University. Also in attendance were Dean Allen of Shenandoah University, Dr. Maria Dakake and Marsha Ray of George Mason University, Dr. Faghfoori of George Washington University, Imam Faizul Khan of Islamic Society of Washington Area, and Chairperson Asma Hanif of Council of Muslim Organizations in Washington Area. Several other prominent friends of IIIT joined the gathering.

To hear the Isma’il al Faruqi Memorial Lecture, please click here.