Center Welcomes Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Professor of Islamic and Seeratt Studies, Pakistan

Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Director, Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies, University of Peshawar, Pakistan, visited the International Center for Law and Religion Studies on Tuesday, 22 February 2011. As a professor of Islamic and Seeratt Studies, Dr. Ayaz participated in a 2004 International Visitor Leadership Program on “Religious Diversity in the United States.” Upon return to Pakistan, he worked with colleagues to implement an interfaith curriculum at the University of Peshawar, which in turn led to the establishment of a campus-based interfaith center. The center continues to provide access to books and other materials on a variety of religions, as well as supporting guest expert speakers from numerous religious backgrounds to lead interfaith seminars. Because of this work, Dr. Ayaz was awarded a grant in 2006-2007 by the United States Embassy in Pakistan for a project entitled “Interfaith Dialogue in Pakistan – Prospects and Challenges.” This grant allowed him and the interfaith center to amass information about the diverse and varied religions of Pakistan.