Dr. Mona Siddiqui Welcomed as Distinguished Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies

Dr. Mona Siddiqui, an internationally known scholar and sought-after speaker on religion, ethics, and public life, will join Hartford Seminary in the fall as Distinguished Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies.

“I am delighted that Professor Siddiqui joins us to teach, give public lectures and talks, and to enable us to make further connections with our students and community members,” said President Joel N. Lohr. “Her approach to Islamic Studies, as well as Interreligious Studies and Dialogue, is the gold standard. I’m confident she will bless our community through her unique contributions to religious life and academics.”

Dr. Siddiqui is Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, Assistant Principal for Religion and Society, and Dean International for the Middle-East at the University of Edinburgh. Appointed in 2011, she was the University’s first Muslim to hold a Chair in Islamic and Interreligious Studies. Her research is mainly in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), ethics, and Christian-Muslim relations. A prolific and celebrated author, Dr. Siddiqui’s more recent publications include Human Struggle: Christian and Muslim Perspectives, 50 Ideas in Islam, Hospitality in Islam: Welcoming in God’s Name, Christians, Muslims and Jesus, My Way: A Muslim Woman’s Journey, and The Good Muslim: Reflections on Classical Islamic Law and Theology. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and holds six honorary doctorates.

In response to her appointment, Dr. Siddiqui said, “I am delighted and honored to be visiting Hartford Seminary and to be part of the academic environment here. This opportunity has been made possible through the generosity of members of the local Muslim community, and I am grateful for their support.” As part of the visiting professorship, Dr. Siddiqui will reside in Hartford for a month each year and teach one course. She will also give a public lecture in the Hartford area and participate in smaller gatherings on behalf of the Seminary. This fall, she will teach Islam: Gender, Ethics, and Pluralism 2021. The course “will cover a broad range of topics reflecting some of the most relevant issues in scholarly and popular discourse.

The critical engagement with modern scholarship and the discursive delivery of the course will help the student appreciate the continuing influence of the Qur’an and other pre-modern texts on contemporary ethical debates in Muslim societies.” The Rev. Dr. David Grafton, Academic Dean, commented, “Dr. Siddiqui joins a distinguished list of professors who have contributed to the study of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations at Hartford Seminary. I am delighted that we continue to provide opportunities for students to engage with scholars from around the world.”

This position is made possible through the kind and generous support of local Muslim community members. In particular, the following families have made significant contributions: Fatma and Ali Antar, Noora Brown and Khamis Abu-HasabAllah, Aida and Reza Mansoor, Mary and Naeem Khalid, and Ramla and Naseem Shaikh. To help support this position into the future, please contact Jenn Schimmel in the Development Office at jschimmel@hartsem.edu. Welcome, Dr. Siddiqui!