Center for Global Understanding Announces
the formation of
CFGU Board of Scholars

Torrance, October 15, 2008 - The Center for Global Understanding (CFGU) is proud to announce the formation of the Board of Scholars. The Board of Scholars will assist and guide CFGU on its Experts on Islam Initiative. CFGU in partnership with the Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, is developing a comprehensive database of experts on Islam at various North American academic institutions. Members of the board are:

Professor Amir Hussain - Chair
Dr. Amir Hussain is an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and the chairperson of CFGU Board of Scholars. His research focuses on Muslim communities in North America. Dr. Hussain teaches and publishes about Islam and Muslim lives. He also teaches about comparative religion and interfaith dialogue.

Professor Ebrahim Moosa:
Dr. Ebrahim Moosa is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies in the Department of Religion at Duke University and Associate Director of Research at the Duke Islamic Studies Center (DISC). His interests span both classical and modern Islamic thought with a special focus on Islamic law, history, ethics and theology. Professor Moosa was named Carnegie Scholar in 2005.

Professor Liyakat Takim:
Dr. Takim is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Denver.  His research interests center on the historical development of juridical and theological literature in the Classical period of Islam, Shi'I biographical literature and reformation of Islamic law in contemporary times. Professor Takim has authored over sixty scholarly works on diverse topics like Islam in America.

Professor Marcia Hermansen:
Dr. Marcia Hermansen is Director of the Islamic World Studies Program and Professor in the Theology Department at Loyola University Chicago where she teaches courses in Islamic Studies and the academic study of religion. Professor Hermansen has contributed numerous academic articles in the fields of Islamic Thought, Sufism, Islam and Muslims in South Asia, Muslims in America, and Women in Islam.