Events
Upcoming Events of the Macdonald Center
The Macdonald Center is a research center within Hartford International University dedicated to scholarly research, education, publication, and communication in the areas of the study of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. As a part of this work, it regularly organizes in person and online academic programs.
February 20, 2025 - Webinar - Book Talk on Tawatur in Islamic Thought, by Dr. Suheil Laher, Faculty Associate in Qur'anic Studies, moderated by Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Professor of Interreligious Studies.
March 25, 2025 - In-person program by the Palestinian Environmental Education and Eco-Justice Iftar.
The Environmental Education Center (EEC) is a non-profit center is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). The EEC tackles all environmental issues and their effects on social, cultural, and economic aspects of Palestinian life, and contributes to the sustainable development of society. It is a pioneer in the field of environmental awareness and education and has used a range of tools to provide environmental education in Palestine for the last 34 years. Following the program there will be an Iftar to break the day's Ramadan fast.
This program is co-sponsored by HIU's Center for Transformative Spirituality the Muslim Coalition of CT, and the New England Synod of the ELCA.
April 10, 2025 – Scriptural Languages Symposium – This winter symposium invites select scholars and practitioners in the field of scriptural studies of the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and the Qur’an to examine and explore various facets of how the sacred languages are understood, used, and interpreted.
Fall Semester, 2025 - Biennial Bijlefeld Lecture - The Willem A. Bijlefeld Lecture, begun in 1990, is named after the first director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations. It brings a distinguished scholar to campus for a public presentation on Islam or Christian-Muslim relations to promote interreligious understanding and mutual respect in the local, national and world communities.
Previous Events
2024
December 4 - Book Launch, Muhammad in the Seminary: Protestant Teaching about Islam in the Nineteenth Century, by the Rev. Dr. David D. Grafton, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian Muslim Relations at HIU.
October 15 - November 22, 2024 - 4th Interreligious art exhibition, "The Holy City."
Artist Brian Whelan will exhibit his 9 x 12 piece in the HIU chapel. An opening reception and lecture will take place on Tuesday, 15 October at 7 pm EDT. “Although I have been to many holy cities around the world, these paintings do not depict any holy city that actually exists,” said Whelan of his work. “This is my aspirational vision of what a holy city looks like. Each of the canvases contain churches, mosques and synagogues, painted in bright playful and colorful forms. An abstracted, disarming image of cultural unity: living together in peace, acceptance, and in harmony: a haven for the soul. The buildings rest in each other’s shadow, supported and uplifted by the buttress of each other’s faith. In this holy city, hospitality would be offered to all.”
October 1 - Webinar, Feminist Theology and Social Justice in Islam with Dr. Mahjabeen Dhala, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California.
Fall semester 2024 - A 2nd cohort of Indonesian students as part of the Istiqlal Mosque Ulama Cadre Education program (PKUMI). The Masters and PhD students will be on campus for one semester as part of this interreligious and intercultural experience learning more about American culture and interreligious pluralism.
Students will be assigned an HIU faculty member to engage in academic conversations about their ongoing research. Macdonald Center faculty will also engage the students in a weekly Islamic Studies seminar.
July 9 - Webinar: Christian-Muslim Relations in Jerusalem and the West Bank. An interview with Mr. Walid Nammour and Zakaria Odeh regarding their experiences as a Palestinian Christian and Muslim since October 7, 2023.
June 23-24 - First International al-Ghadir Conference
June 2-3 - 50th Anniversary of the Macdonald Center
April 3 -- Webinar: The Marrow of Worship: Muslim and Christian Supplication Practices during Ramadan and Lent. Dr. Lucinda Mosher and Dr. Hossein Kamaly reflect on Muslim and Christian devotional practices and literature characteristic of these two great seasons of fasting.
February 20 – 45 minute Webinar: A discussion with Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, director of the Kaduna Center, on Christian-Muslim relations in Nigeria.
2023
September 19 – Race, Religion, and Contested Identities: A Christian-Muslim Dialogue - A Conversation between Dr. Bilal Ansari, Professor Mona Siddiqui, Professor Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, and Imam Zaid Shakir. Moderated by David D. Grafton.
2022
October 6 – Race, Religion, and Slavery: Religious justifications for enslavement in the trans-Atlantic and trans-Saharan world
A webinar in collaboration with the Lamin Sanneh Institute, Accra Ghana. Speakers will include Dr. John Azumah, Lamin Sanneh Institute, Dr. Benjamin Twagira, Williams College, and Dr. Bilal Ansari, HIU. The webinar will be moderated by Dr. David D. Grafton, HIU. 10 am EST
October 20 - Christians, Muslims, and Jesus - A Conversation about Jesus
Professor Mona Siddiqui and Professor David Grafton explore the relationship between Islam and Christianity, examining the ways in which the two faiths differ, and how they have entered into dialogue with each other. Join us for this thought-provoking program! Held at First Church, West Hartford.
October 24 - Abraham’s Gifts panel discussion –
In partnership with the John P. Webster Library, the Macdonald center will host a panel discussion based on the artwork Abraham’s Gifts by artist Harvey Paris. There will be an opening of the exhibition followed by a panel discussion with the Rev. Jane Willan, Senior Pastor of First Church, West Hartford, the Rabbi Barbara Paris, and Prof. Hossein Kamaly, Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at HIU – 6 – 8:30 pm EST
The exhibition was housed in the HIU chapel and as run from October 24 through November 18, 2022.
March 16 - The Willem Bijlefeld Lecture - Dr. Anna Gade, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and Associate Dean for Research & Education, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin. Author of Muslim Environmentalisms: Religious and Social Foundations.
2021
October 28 - Webinar - Hagar as a Model of Faith: A Jewish and Muslim Perspective –
Dr. Hossein Kamaly and Dr. Deena Grant presented on the role of Hagar from the Jewish and Muslim perspectives. This was moderated by Dr. David D. Grafton.
Abraham: Out of One, Many art exhibition –
In partnership with the interfaith art organization, Caravan, and the Mandell Jewish Community Center, the Macdonald Center hosted the interfaith art exhibition “Abraham: Out of One, Many.” The exhibition ran from October 5 through November 16, 2021 at the JCC..
Peace Ambassadors’ dialogue program with “Hands Along the Nile” – 8 week program
Luce-Hartford Conference on Christian-Muslim Relations – June 7-8, 2021
“Christian-Muslim Relations during the midst of the pandemics.”
Willem Bijlefeld Lecture – June 2, 2021 -- Professor Mona Siddiqui (HIU) - “Human Struggle: Christian and Muslim Perspectives.” Prof. Siddiqui returned to HIU in October as the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies.
Shi’I Chair Activities
June 23-24, 2024 - First International al-Ghadir Conference
April 18, 2022 - Presence of Christian Missionaries in 16th - 17th Century Persia” with Dr. Alberto Tiburcio
November 12, 2021 - Memorial for our dear Professor Mahmoud Ayoub
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