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Dr. Louay Safi
Professor of Political Science and Islamic Thought
Dr. Louay Safi
Professor of Political Science and Islamic Thought
Educational Qualifications
PhD in Political Science
MA in Political Science
Entity
College of Islamic Studies
Divison
Islamic Studies
Islam and Global Affairs
Biography
Dr. Louay Safi is Professor of Political Science and Islamic Thought at CIS and Senior Fellow with the Institute of Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) and Georgetown University’s Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU).
Dr. Safi has been active in defending human rights and promoting democracy for over two decades. He is a founding member of the Syrian National Council (SNC) and the Syrian National Coalition (2011–2014). He is also co-founder and first chair of the Syrian American Council (2005–2011), and co-founder and former board member of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (1999–2007).
He is a prolific author and frequent speaker on issues of human rights, the Middle East, peace, leadership, and Islam and the West, and an advocate of human rights and civil liberties. He has authored 20 books, including “The Qur’anic Narrative” (Praeger 2008), “Tensions and Transitions in the Muslim World” (University Press of America, 2003), “Peace and the Limits of War” (IIIT 2001), and “The Challenge of Modernity” (University Press of America, 1994).
Dr. Safi has considerable experience in developing communications strategy as the Communications Director of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the official spokesperson of the main Syrian Opposition. He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs, including CNN, BBC, Monte Carlo, Fox News, Sky News, Voice of America, PBS, Middle East TV (MBC), Aljazeera News and Aljazeera English, Al Arabiya News, Russia Today, Alhurra, Malaysian TV, Turkish TV, Syrian TV, Canada TV (CTV), Future TV, and others.
PhD in Political Science
Wayne State University
1992
MA in Political Science
Wayne State University
1988
BSc in Civil Engineering
Wayne State University
1985
- Political Theory and Comparative Politics
- Ethics and Public Policy
- Islamic Philosophy and Ethics
- Political Participation and Human Rights
- Islam and Globalization
Adjunct Professor
College of Public Policy (CPP), HBKU
2019 – Present
Professor of Political Science and Islamic Thought
CIS, HBKU
2011 – Present
Visiting Professor
Georgetown University
2010 – 2011
Adjunct Professor
Indiana University and Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
2009 – 2010
Senior Fellow
Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU), Georgetown University
2007 – Present
Senior Fellow
Institute of Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU)
2007 – Present
Director
Center for Leadership Development, Indianapolis
2004 – 2010
Visiting Professor
George Washington University
2001 – 2002
Director of Research
International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Washington, DC
1999 – 2003
President
Association of Muslim Social Scientists
1999 – 2003
Editor
American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences
1999 – 2003
Dean of Research and Member of University Senate
International Islamic University of Malaysia
1997 – 1999
Executive Director
International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Washington, DC
1995 – 1997
Director
International Islamic University of Malaysia
1994 – 1997
Lecturer
Wayne State University (WSU), Michigan
1988 – 1992
BOOKS
- Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Al Fikr al Muasir.
- Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Al Fikr al Muasir.
- Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Al Fikr al Muasir.
- Beirut, Lebanon: Al Shabakah al Arabiya lil abhath wa al nashr.
- Herndon, VA: International Institute of Islamic Thought Press.
- Dar al Mutawasitiyyah.
- San Barbara, CA: Praeger Publishers.
- Denver, CO: Outskirts Press.
- Denver, CO: Outskirts Press.
- Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America.
BOOK CHAPTERS
- In Maqasid al-Shari'ah: Conceptualizations and Implications. Kuala Lumper, Malaysia: Trust Books.
- In Religious Leadership: A Reference Handbook. SAGE Publications.
- In Langwith, J. (Ed.), Human Rights (Opposing Viewpoints). Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press.
- In Nimer, M. (Ed.), Islamophobia and Anti-Americanism: Causes and Responses. Beltsville, Maryland: Amana Publications.
- In Coppola, D. (Ed.), Religion, Violence and Peace: Continuing Conversations and Study Guide. Hartford, CT: Sacred Heart University.
- In Ahmed, B. (Ed.), Muslim Contribution to Civilization. London, England: IIIT and AMSS.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
- American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, 36(1).
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia.
- The Review of Faith & International Affairs, 9(1).
- Intellectual Discourse, 18(2). 211-233.
- American Baptist Quarterly, 28(1). 92-97.
- Chicago Studies, 14(1). 83-98.
- The Ecumenist, 43(4). 7-10.
- Muslim Public Affairs Journal. 43-49.
- مجلة الديمقراطية (صادرة عن مؤسسة الأهرام)، العدد 18
- مجلة الكلمة، السنة 7، العدد 28 (صيف 2000)، ص 37-45.
OTHERS
- Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam. Oxford University Press.
- Al-Jazeera Forum. St Regis, Doha. 5 May 2015.
- Al Jazeera Center for Research. Ritz Carlton, Doha. 9 April 2014.
- Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Politics. Oxford University Press.
- CIS, Doha. 22 February 2012.
- Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC. 23 January 2012.
- Good Faith Seminar. Bernardin Center, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. 12 March 2010.
- Canada Visionary Leadership Institute, Winnipeg. 22-24 January 2010.
- 19 March 2009.
- Washington, DC: Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. https://www.ispu.org/blaming-islam-examining-the-religion-building-enterprise/
- Leading Faculty Member — CIS, HBKU, 2016
- Featured Public Figure — Syrian-Americans Who Changed the World, Bustle Magazine, 2015
- Academic Excellence — International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 1999