Sunnis and Shi'ites in Historical Perspective

The Religion Department and the Islamic Studies program are proud to present the all-day conference Sunnis and Shi'ites in Historical Perspective: Differences and Commonalities. Refreshments will be served, though lunch will not be provided. This event is free and open to the public. Please join us for all or part of the day!

Conference Program

9:30 - 9:45—Welcoming Remarks

Robert Eisen (Professor, Religion and Judaic Studies; Chair, Department of Religion, GWU)

Mohammad H. Faghfoory (Professor, Religion and Islamic Studies; Director, MA Program in Islamic Studies, GWU)

9:45 - 10:00—Opening Remarks

Seyyed Hossein Nasr (University Professor, Religion and Islamic Studies, GWU)

10:00 – 12:30—Sunni and Shi‘ite Views on the Qur’an and Sunnah

10:00 - 10:45—Mahmoud Ayoub (Faculty Associate, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Hartford Seminary)

10:45 - 11:00—Coffee Break

11:00 - 11:45—Jonathan Brown (Associate Professor, Islamic Studies; Chair, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University)

11:45 - 12:15—Discussion and Q & A

12:30 - 2:15—LUNCH

2:30 – 4:45—Sunni and Shi‘ite View of Tawhid (God’s Unity) and Nubuwwah (Prophecy)

2:30 - 3:15—Omer Awass (Assistant Professor, Arabic and Islamic Studies, American Islamic College)

3:15 - 3:30—Coffee Break

3:30 - 4:15—Mohsen Kadivar (Research Professor, Islamic Studies, Duke University)

4:15 – 4:45—Discussion and Q & A

4:45 - 5:00—Concluding Remarks

Robert Eisen (Professor, Religion and Judaic Studies; Chair, Department of Religion, GWU)

Mohammad H. Faghfoory (Professor, Religion and Islamic Studies; Director, M.A. Program, Islamic Studies, GWU)