ASU Council for Arabic and Islamic Studies

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ASU Council for Arabic and Islamic Studies CAIS programs promote multiculturalism, diversity, inter-faith dialogue, cross-cultural understanding, and the expansion of human civilization and culture.

Vision
Reflecting on the rich diversity of both Arabic Studies and Islamic Studies, the interdisciplinary program of the Council integrates the study of and research in Arabic and Islamic studies in diverse regions such as the Middle East, including the Arab World, Turkey and Iran, as well as Islamic Studies in regions beyond the Middle East and Africa in countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other Muslim majority countries. The program promotes the teaching of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish as well as other languages taught in ASU's School of International Letters and Cultures including Indonesian and Hindi-Urdu, in collaboration with the study of sociology, history, politics, anthropology, and religion. Mission
The Council for Arabic and Islamic Studies was established at Arizona State University to acknowledge the significant contributions of Arabic Studies and Islamic civilization and cultures to the world at large both historically and in the modern age. The Council’s research and teaching programs seek to promote multiculturalism, diversity, inter-faith dialogue, cross-cultural understanding, and the expansion of human civilization and cultures through Arabic as well as other Middle-Eastern languages including Persian and Turkish. The Council seeks to develop constructive academic and cultural interaction and partnerships between ASU and similar groups in the Arab and Muslim worlds. "Literature is often conceived as a cultural tool towards greater human understanding. The more we study other’s literary arts, cultures, and civilizations, the better enabled we become to achieve understanding and to work toward world peace." - Dr. Souad Ali, Council Chair

Today at 3:00 PM September 29, 2026. Please see flyer and link below for more details.
09/29/2026

Today at 3:00 PM September 29, 2026. Please see flyer and link below for more details.

Today at 3:00 PM. Please see flyer and link for details.
09/29/2026

Today at 3:00 PM. Please see flyer and link for details.

The Silences of Palaces

Remembering Dr. John Esposito Who delivered the inaugural lecture in our CAIS Lecture Series on February 24, 2016, more ...
07/26/2026

Remembering Dr. John Esposito
Who delivered the inaugural lecture in our CAIS Lecture Series on February 24, 2016, more than a decade ago. We are honored to share the ASU 2016 News report covering his lecture, held in the Carson Ballroom at ASU's Old Main, which drew an exceptionally large and engaged audience. May his soul rest in eternal peace. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, students, colleagues, and the countless individuals around the world whose lives and scholarship were enriched by his remarkable legacy.
https://news.asu.edu/20160224-asu-brings-leading-world-scholar-discuss-islam-islamophobia-and-terrorism

06/05/2026

CAIS Spring 2026 Lecture SeriesDr. Khalid Mustafa Medani, McGill University Understanding The Local and Regional Dynamics of the War in Sudan: Evaluating the Obstacles and Prospects for Peace

Dr. Asma Barlas. CAIS Spring 2026 Lecture Series. March 24, 2026. You are cordially invited.
02/16/2026

Dr. Asma Barlas. CAIS Spring 2026 Lecture Series. March 24, 2026. You are cordially invited.

Dr. Asma Barlas, Ithaca CollegeUn-gendering the Qur'an: Men's Authority over Women

Our Spring 2026 Film Series opened with our February 11 event featuring the Academy Award–nominated film The Present. Th...
02/16/2026

Our Spring 2026 Film Series opened with our February 11 event featuring the Academy Award–nominated film The Present. The Film screening was followed by an engaging scholarly discussion. Thank you to all those who joined us. Our upcoming events will be part of our Lecture Series, Poetry Series, among other intiatives.

ASU Council for Arabic and Islamic Studies: Film Series Spring 2026Film Screening: "The Present."

CAIS Lecture Series with Dr. Sophia Pandya"Sufi Healing and Trauma among Turkish Hizmet Refugees."Was a great Talk as pa...
11/23/2025

CAIS Lecture Series with Dr. Sophia Pandya
"Sufi Healing and Trauma among Turkish Hizmet Refugees."
Was a great Talk as part of our Fall 2025 Lecture Series.
Thank you for joining us and for the great discussion.
ASU Council for Arabic and Islamic Studies.

CAIS Lecture Series with Dr. Sophia PandyaSufi Healing and Trauma among Turkish Hizmet Refugees

You are cordially invited to join us for our Lecture featuring Dr. Suad Joseph on: "Traumatic Contestations: A Struggle ...
10/22/2025

You are cordially invited to join us for our Lecture featuring Dr. Suad Joseph on: "Traumatic Contestations: A Struggle for a Historical Concept of Trauma in the Arab Region." Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6 PM.
This Virtural Lecture is part of the Humanities Week. Please see details and flyer below. Thank you. Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/3813141796

CAIS Lecture Series Traumatic Contestations: A Struggle for a Historical Concept of Trauma in the Arab RegionDr. Suad Joseph, Distinguished Research Professor, University of California, DavisThe idea of trauma has become globalized, universalized. It is deployed politically. It is a weapon of war an...

Join us today April 8 for our CAIS Film Series, Goodbye Julia and the Kingdom of Kusha. On Zoom at 1:00 PM today: https:...
04/08/2025

Join us today April 8 for our CAIS Film Series, Goodbye Julia and the Kingdom of Kusha. On Zoom at 1:00 PM today: https://asu.zoom.us/j/3813141796 See details below. Thank you.

Organized and Moderated by Dr. Souad T. Ali, CAIS Founding Chair

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Tempe, AZ
85287

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