Legacy to the future

by Nicole Findlay

The Ottawa Muslim Women’s Organization (OMWO) presented the Centre for the Study of Islam with a cheque for $5000 on Wednesday, October 07 in the College of the Humanities. The proceeds were raised at the OMWO’s annual dinner held in April.

In presenting to John Osborne, dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the president of OMWO, Shano Bejkosalaj and Safaa Fouda, an enthusiastic supporter of the centre and an active member of OMW[,]expressed that the donation was only the first of many.

“The Board (of the OMWO) unanimously agreed – and it is all women!” said Bejkosalaj,that the gift “reflects the hopes we have for the Centre. We hope this will be our legacy to the future.”

The unexpected commitment of future funds was met with more good news for the Centre. Fatma El Mehelmy, the major supporter of the initiative, proffered her own cheque for another $5000 to match the funds raised by the Ottawa Muslim Women’s Organization.

The Centre for the Study of Islam was approved by the university in 2008. Housed in the College of the Humanities’ Religion program, the Centre supports scholarly research and education on topics related to Islam. Through lecture series, seminars, symposia combined with specialized programs for Minor and Major degrees, the Centre promotes a greater understanding of Islamic civilization and core beliefs. It also encourages discussion of Canadian Muslim identity.

Since the Minor in Muslim studies was introduced in 2008, two new professors have been hired.  Assistant professors Aisha Geissinger and Mohammed Rustom joined the College of the Humanities in July. Geissinger, who completed her doctoral degree in Religious Studies at the University of Toronto, is teaching Introduction to Judaism, Christianity and Islam and Readings on Gender and Islam. Rustom obtained a PhD in Islamic thought from the University of Toronto and is currently teaching Islam and Mysticism.

Farhang Rajaee, director, College of the Humanities, hopes that the creation of the minor and the Centre enhances Carleton’s tradition of appreciating all human traditions and thinks the College “presents a great place to reflect on the contribution of Islam to human civilization.” Osborne announced that earlier that morning, Carleton’s Academic Planning, Priorities and Initiatives Committee had approved the development of a new MA degree in religion and public life, and that this would be another venue for the study of Islam at the graduate level.