IIIT launched its 5^th annual Summer Students Program in Islamic Studies for graduate and senior undergraduate students on June 13, 2011. This year’s program offers five core courses in Islamic studies including Quran and Sunna, Islamic History and Civilization, Contemporary Islamic Thought, Islamic Jurisprudence and Muslim World Affairs. In addition, four seminars covering Islamic Reform movements, Islamic Finance, Faith-Based Entrepreneurship and Muslim organizations will be offered.

A total of 45 students are registered and are participating in the program. These include fifteen resident students (ten PhD and MA level and five seniors and juniors), and thirty graduate students who are taking the courses online. The students come from different academic backgrounds (mostly from the humanities and social sciences), and from ten different countries, including Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Canada, and the US.

Beside the intensive courses and seminars, the students will visit offices of major Muslim organizations and Islamic centers in the metropolitan Washington area including the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), United Productions Foundation (UPF), the American Muslim Task Force (AMT) and FAITH Social Services, among others.

The students will also conduct research on a topic related to Islam and Muslim world affairs. Top performing students will be awarded one year non-resident Research Fellowship at IIIT that would allow them to continue doing research at IIIT and participate in IIIT sponsored academic events throughout the year.

For more details on the 2011 summer Students Program, please click here.