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Respect Graduate School offers Master degree and certified programs in Islamic Sciences to its participants. The school supports students with scholarships and grants raised through donations and contributions from its supporters.

Conference

Fethullah Gülen’s Thought and Practice: Education, Dialogue, Peacebuilding, and Identity Formation

Read the Call for Papers

This conference aims to explore the intellectual legacy of Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet Movement, focusing on their contributions to education, interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and identity formation in a modern, pluralistic world. By bringing together scholars from various disciplines, the event fosters critical engagement with Gülen’s thought and its relevance in today’s world.

Conference Highlights

Scholars, educators, and faith leaders from around the world gathered at Drew University to explore Fethullah Gülen’s enduring influence on education, interfaith dialogue, and moral renewal in modern society.

Read the Press Release

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Alexander is Professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union. He earned his AB from Harvard University, MA and PhD from Columbia University, and MPhil from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He has spent nearly 40 years studying, teaching, and writing about Islam and Muslim-Christian relations, focusing his ministry on reconciliation, mutual understanding, and justice between communities. A self-described “scholar-activist,” his work challenges Islamophobia and systemic bigotry, with recent publications examining Islamophobia as a form of anti-Black racism and highlighting interreligious allyship in graduate theological education. He served as Founding Director of CTU’s Catholic-Muslim Studies Program (2000–2020) and has held leadership roles with the American Academy of Religion, the USCCB’s Catholic-Muslim Dialogue, and advisory boards at the University of Chicago and Indiana University. He is co-editor of the Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, a member of Georgetown University’s scholars advisory council, and serves on the board of the Alliance for Shared Values.
Dr. Scott C. Alexander
Catholic Theological Union
Fr. Thomas Michel, SJ, born in St. Louis in 1941, was ordained a Catholic priest in 1967 and earned his doctorate in Islamic thought from the University of Chicago with a thesis on Ibn Taymiyya. He has taught Islamic studies and Christian theology in Indonesia, Turkey, and the U.S., and from 1981–1994 served in the Vatican as Head of the Office for Relations with Muslims. From 1994–2008, he was Secretary for Interreligious Affairs for the Catholic bishops of Asia and Jesuit Secretary for Interreligious Dialogue in Rome. A noted scholar of Said Nursi and Fethullah Gülen, he has held positions at Columbia, Georgetown, and Marquette, and is currently an Instructor at the Xavier Learning Community in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Michel, S.J.
Georgetown University
Dr. Sophia Pandya is Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at California State University, Long Beach. She earned her BA from UC Berkeley in Near Eastern Studies/Arabic, and her MA and PhD in Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara. A Fulbright scholar, she specializes in women and Islam, as well as contemporary Islamic movements. She is the author of Muslim Women and Islamic Resurgence: Religion, Education, and Identity Politics in Bahrain (2012), co-editor of The Gülen Hizmet Movement and Its Transnational Activities (2012), and is completing a manuscript on Hizmet, alterity, and altruism. Her research has also examined religious change among Yemeni women, highlighting how younger and older generations negotiate shifting religious discourses.
Dr. Sophia Pandya
California State University, Long Beach

Program Schedule

Morning Parallel Sessions

9:00–10:30 · Two Rooms
Panel 1 — Life, Influences, and Spiritual Foundations Crawford Hall | Moderator: Dr. Alp Aslandogan
9:10–9:30
Dr. Adnan Aslan — A Comprehensive Humanism Stemming from Islamic Values: The Perspective of Fethullah Gülen
9:30–9:50
Inamul Haq — Fethullah Gülen, a Saint, a Reformer & a Humanitarian
9:50–10:10
Dr. Oliver Leaman — Towards an Understanding of Gülen as a Theologian
10:10–10:30
Q&A Session
Panel 2 — Life, Influences, and Spiritual Foundations The Space | Moderator: Dr. Kim Shively
9:10–9:30
Dr. Ori Soltes — Jihad and Transformation in the Life and Thought of Fethullah Gülen
9:30–9:50
Dr. Antonio Cuciniello — Bridging Faith and Humanity: Fethullah Gülen’s Thought in Light of the Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity
9:50–10:10
Wendi Lawson See, Esq. — Servant Leadership in Islam: the Case of M. Fethullah Gülen
10:10–10:30
Q&A Session
10:30–10:45
COFFEE BREAK
Panel 3 — Life, Influences, and Spiritual Foundations Crawford Hall | Moderator: Dr. Lyndsey Eksili
10:55–11:15
Dr. Fevzi Sarac — Fethullah Gülen and the Ethics of Leadership: A Transformational Model Rooted in Spiritual Responsibility
11:15–11:35
Dr. James Puglisi — Keeping the Vision of Hizmet Intact: Lessons to Learn from the Movement’s Catholic Neighbors
11:35–11:55
Semih Kiyma — A Stance Beyond Resistance: Spiritual Leadership and the Theo-Ethical Framework in Fethullah Gülen's Post-2016 Discourse
11:55–12:15
Q&A Session
12:15–1:15
COFFEE BREAK
Panel 4 — Intellectual Legacy The Space | Moderator: Dr. Derya Iner
10:55–11:15
Ekrem Dumanli — Fact, Freedom, and Dialogue: Media Ethics in the Thought of Fethullah Gülen
11:15–11:35
Dr. Mohammad Abul Mufazzal — Text, Context, and Renewal: Fethullah Gülen’s Hermeneutics in the Age of Crisis
11:35–11:55
Dr. Muhammed Cetin — Fethullah Gülen’s Leadership Philosophy: Integrating Realism, Universalism, and Transformative Leadership for Global Impact
11:55–12:15
COFFEE BREAK
12:15–12:35
Dr. Suleyman Sertkaya — Fethullah Gülen as a Modern Sīrah Scholar: A Novel Methodological and Intellectual Contribution
12:35–12:55
Dr. Rafeeq Karimpanackal — "Faith in Motion: The Transnational Dynamics and Local Reception of the Hizmet Movement"
12:55–1:15
Q&A Session
1:15–2:15
Light Lunch Break + Book Event
2:15–3:00
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sophia Pandya
Panel 5 — Peacebuilding through Education Crawford Hall | Moderator: Dr. Paul Weller
3:20–3:40
Dr. Bilal Ansari — Gülen as a Pastoral Theologian: Identity and Conduct Formation in Muslim Chaplaincy
3:40–4:00
Dr. Zuleyha Mary Fikret — Revelation-Oriented Deep Educational Pedagogy: Fethullah Gülen’s Response to the Crisis of Modern Secular Education
4:00–4:20
Abdulhamit Bilici — Three Dimensional Peace at Fethullah Gülen’s Perspective and Hizmet's Practice
4:20–4:40
Q&A Session
Panel 6 — Peacebuilding through Education The Space | Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Golden
3:20–3:40
Celil Akgobek, Mahmut Yilmaz, Dr. Yetkin Yildirim — Education as Ethical Peacebuilding: The Vision of Fethullah Gülen
3:40–4:00
Dr. Mehmet Evrim Altin — Gülen's Ideal: Hizmet Schools
4:00–4:20
Dr. Vincent Parillo — Hearts and Minds: Hizmet Schools and Interethnic Relations
4:20–4:40
Q&A Session
5:00–6:30
Driving to Chestnut Retreat Center (Invitations Only)
6:30–7:30
Welcoming (Semih Kiyma) + Dinner
7:30–8:00
Dr. Adnan Aslan / Theodore Howard, Esq. / Adem Kalac
8:00–8:30
Tour
8:30
Return to the Hotel
Download the Schedule
Suleyman Eris received his education in Islamic studies both in traditional study circles and in modern higher education institutions. He was fortunate to receive training in classical Islamic studies from renowned scholar Fethullah Gülen. He also received his PhD from Temple University, awarded with distinction, titled "A Theory of Faith and Righteous Deeds in the Qur'an." He has been serving at the respected graduate school as the founding president since 2012."
Dr. Suleyman Eris
Respect Graduate School President
Dr. Ergun Çapan serves as a faculty member at the Center for Risale and Hizmet Studies at Respect Graduate School, where he focuses on scholarship in Islamic thought, education, and interfaith dialogue. He is the organizer and chair of the Fethullah Gülen Conference, an international academic gathering that brings together scholars and practitioners to critically engage with the intellectual legacy and contemporary relevance of Gülen’s thought and the Hizmet Movement.
Dr. Ergun Capan
Center for Risale and Hizmet Studies at Respect Graduate School
"Dr. Yurt is the Head of Global AI Solutions for Novartis Oncology . As a business strategist and data science expert, she led several teams in the areas of data science, business analysis, information management and market research within Novartis and other small biotechs.Dr Yurt is a board member of Pharmaceutical Management Science Association since 2013 where she works on bringing new business analysts and data scientists with industry experts.She is also the President of the board for Peace Islands Institute where she partners with interfaith organizations to improve local peace within the NJ community. Dr. Yurt has Ph.D in economics. She studied the effects of social ability on life time earnings at University of Arizona and tought several courses in this subject. Dr.Yurt received several scholarships including George W. Coleman Scholarship at University of Arizona and National Academy of Sciences and Technology of Turkey (TUBITAK) Fellowship award.”
Dr. Nuray Yurt
Peace Island Institue, New Jersey; Global Head of AI Solutions, Novartis Oncology
Enes Kanter Freedom is a Turkish-American former professional basketball center who was selected third overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz and went on to play for multiple teams including the Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics before retiring in 2022. A fierce human rights advocate, he legally changed his surname to "Freedom" upon becoming a U.S. citizen in November 2021 to symbolize his commitment to liberty. Throughout his career, Kanter Freedom has used his platform—most notably through his outspoken criticism of human rights abuses in China and Turkey and his high-profile "Freedom Shoes" designs—to amplify global causes. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, he was nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize by a member of the Norwegian Parliament for his defense of oppressed groups, including Uyghurs and Tibetans.
Enes Kanter Freedom
"Dr. Jonathan M. Golden is a scholar, educator, and peacebuilder whose work bridges the fields of anthropology, religious studies, conflict resolution, and interfaith leadership. He serves as the Director of the Center on Religion, Culture & Conflict at Drew University, where he also teaches in the Theological School and Caspersen Graduate School. With a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Brandeis University, Dr. Golden has developed and led innovative programs in civic engagement, global peacebuilding, and interreligious dialogue, including experiential learning initiatives in Northern Ireland, Israel-Palestine, and Uganda. His teaching spans a wide array of topics such as Middle Eastern cultures, biblical archaeology, religious pluralism, and terrorism studies. A recognized voice in the fields of interfaith and intercultural education, Dr. Golden has received numerous grants and awards, including support from the Russell Berrie and Endeavor Foundations, and was named Thomas H. Kean Teacher Mentor of the Year. He is the author of Dawn of the Metal Age and Ancient Canaan and Israel, and his scholarship has appeared in leading journals and edited volumes. Dr. Golden also serves on advisory boards for organizations such as Peace Islands Institute and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security's Interfaith Advisory Council. His commitment to promoting civil dialogue and community-based peacebuilding continues to shape emerging leaders across disciplines."
Dr. Jonathan Golden
Drew University, Center on Religion, Culture and Conflict
Professor Dr. Adnan ASLAN was born in Turkey, educated in Turkey and England. Received an MA degree from Kings College London, in 1990, and a Ph.D. from Religious Studies at Lancaster University, England in 1995. He published several scholarly articles, encyclopedia entries, book chapters and books both in English and Turkish generally in various disciplines including the field of philosophy of religion. His Ph.D. thesis was published under the title of Religious Pluralism in Christian and Islamic Philosophy: The Thought of John Hick and Seyyed Hossein Nasr, (London: Rutledge Press 1998). It was translated into Turkish, Persian and Indonesian languages. He worked at the Center for Islamic Studies (ISAM) in 1996-2010. He was a professor of philosophy at the Department of Philosophy at 29 Mayıs University in Istanbul in 2010-2011. He served as the Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Science at Süleyman Şah University in Istanbul, for five years. He was an adjunct professor at the Department of Philosophy at Notre Dame University, Holy Cross College, Indiana University of South Bend and Southwestern Michigan College. In these higher institutions he taught Philosophy of Religion, Islamic Philosophy, Introduction to Ethics, Logic, and A Philosophy for Life. Currently, he is dean of academics at Respect Graduate School, and teaches courses such as “Survey in Islamic Thought", “Introduction to Philosophy of Religion” and "Critical Thinking in Philosophy" in MA in Islamic Studies.
Dr. Adnan Aslan
Respect Graduate School
"Professor Haq specializes in Islamic theology, Qur’anic studies, history of Islam, and Muslims in America. He has an international educational background and interreligious professional experience. He has received professional and graduate degrees from Islamic seminaries in Pakistan and from major universities in the U.S. He has been a principal at Islamic high schools and taught in graduate and undergraduate programs. At Elmhurst University he gives leadership to the development of its Islamic studies curriculum and teaches introductory courses on Islam and international courses on religion in Turkey, Israel, Palestine and Jordan. He is a founding member of the International Strategy and Policy Institute, a frequent public speaker and an honorary Imam at area mosques. He is a board member of a number of organizations, including the Fiqh Committee of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Chicago, and the Interfaith Committee of the Bernardin Center."
Inamul Haq
Adjunct Faculty and Coordinator of Islamic Studies Program
Oliver Leaman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky. He is the author and editor of books on Islamic, Jewish and Asian philosophy and culture, and his most recent books are Controversies in Contemporary Islam, Routledge, 2013, the second edition of his Biographical Encyclopedia of Islamic Philosophy, published by Bloomsbury in 2015, The Qur’an: Philosophical Perspectives, also Bloomsbury and the Routledge Handbook of Islamic Ritual and Practice, 2022, which he edited.. He has edited for Routledge The Qur'an: An Encyclopedia, 2006, Ninian Smart’s World Philosophies, 2008, and co-written Islam: the Key Concepts, with Kecia Ali, 2008. He is the author of Islamic Aesthetics, Notre Dame University Press, 2004 and Key Concepts in Eastern Philosophy, 1999 and Eastern Philosophy: Key Readings, 2000. He has written and edited other books on Islamic, Jewish and general philosophy. He is the editor of the Islamic Philosophy Series, Routledge.
Dr. Oliver Leaman
University of Kentucky
Ori Z. Soltes teaches at Georgetown University across a range of disciplines, from art history and theology to philosophy and political history; and also the former Director of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum. He has curated over 90 art, ethnographic, and historical exhibitions and authored or edited 31 books and several hundred articles and essays. Among these are Searching for Oneness: Mysticism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw from the Same Source, Embracing the World: Fethullah Gulen’s Thought and Its Relationship to Jalalluddin Rumi and Others, Untangling the Web of the Middle East; Between Thought and Action: An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gulen; and The Problem of God and How Humans Have Tried to Solve It Across History.
Dr. Ori Soltes
Georgetown University
"Wendi Lawson See, Esq. is a South Carolina-based attorney and Underwriting Counsel at Old Republic National Title Insurance Company. A graduate of Regent University School of Law, she brings a multidisciplinary background in law, Middle Eastern studies, and intelligence studies, holding additional certification in terrorism studies. Wendi previously founded and led Southeastern Law, LLC, where she practiced in areas ranging from real estate and elder law to special education, estate planning, gun law, and drone law. She is also a court-recognized expert in heirs’ property title examination. In addition to her legal work, See has been an active Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue practitioner since 2008 and has coordinated Turkish-American intercultural exchange programs across the U.S. and Turkey. Her efforts in promoting cross-cultural understanding include partnerships with institutions such as Georgetown University, the University of Chicago, and the Rumi Forum. She has been appointed to the Elder Law and Education Law Committees of the South Carolina Bar and is a published author on interfaith experiences."
Wendi Lawson See, Esq.
Old Republic National Title Insurance Company
"Dr. Antonio Cuciniello is Assistant Professor of History of Islamic Countries at the Catholic University of Milan, where he previously held a Research Fellowship in Arabic and Islamic Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies with a focus on Islam from the same institution, following advanced training in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) in Rome. With extensive experience in both academia and intercultural consultancy, he also serves as the Arab-Islamic world contact person for the ISMU Foundation, working on education and migration-related projects. Dr. Cuciniello’s scholarly work focuses on Qur’anic studies, Islamic-Christian dialogue, and the transmission of Islamic knowledge in European contexts. He has presented at major international conferences and published widely in leading journals and edited volumes, addressing themes such as prophecy and revelation in the Qur’an, the Islamic image of Jesus, and representations of Islam in Italian educational and encyclopedic texts. He is an active member of IQSA, EUARE, PLURIEL, and the Qur’anic Linguistics Research Group, and brings to his work a strong commitment to interreligious understanding and multicultural education."
Dr. Antonio Cuciniello
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
"Dr. Ali Ünsal is an accomplished Islamic scholar, chaplain, and interfaith leader with over 25 years of experience in pastoral care, religious education, and community engagement across the United States, Indonesia, and Turkey. He currently serves as Deputy Director and Imam at the WISE Institute in New Jersey, where he leads Islamic studies seminars, interfaith programming, and leadership training initiatives. A graduate of Selçuk University with a Ph.D. in Islamic Theology, Dr. Ünsal also holds advanced degrees from Marmara and Ankara Universities and has completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Washington Hospital Center. Fluent in Turkish, English, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, and Tatar, Dr. Ünsal has played key roles in various international institutions, including directing the Fethullah Gülen Chair at UIN Jakarta and founding the Gülen Institute in Indonesia and the Institute of Islamic and Turkish Studies in Virginia. His teaching and public speaking span topics such as Sufism, Islamic ethics, Ottoman history, and Qur’anic sciences. Widely published and a frequent presenter at global forums, he is deeply committed to interfaith dialogue, civic education, and the spiritual care of underserved communities, including his chaplaincy work in hospitals and correctional institutions."
Dr Ali Unsal
WISE Institute
"Dr. Fevzi Saraç is a political scientist and educator specializing in international studies, Middle Eastern politics, and civic activism. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Louisiana State University (LSU), where he has taught a wide range of undergraduate courses, including Contemporary Global Issues, Comparative Middle Eastern Politics, and Islamic Political Thought. His research interests focus on social movements, the divergence between political and social Islam, and democratization processes. Dr. Saraç has presented his work at numerous conferences, including the Southern Political Science Association and international forums on Turkish affairs. In addition to his academic career, Dr. Saraç serves as the Executive Director of MARTI (Maryland Turkish American Inhabitants) and is a member of the Howard County Executive Interfaith Advisory Council. He previously held roles at the Turkish Consulate General in New York and Peace Islands Institute, reflecting his longstanding commitment to interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural engagement. A frequent public speaker on religion, politics, and media, Dr. Saraç blends academic rigor with civic involvement, making him a respected figure in both scholarly and community settings."
Dr. Fevzi Sarac
Lousiana State University
"Dr. James Puglisi is a seasoned educator, ministry leader, and diversity consultant with over 26 years of experience in higher education, mission integration, and equity-centered programming. He currently serves as the Ministry Formation Manager at Ascension Wisconsin, where he oversees Catholic mission formation initiatives across the healthcare system. With a deep commitment to fostering inclusive and spiritually grounded communities, Puglisi has led interfaith, intercultural, and justice-centered programming at institutions such as St. Edward’s University, where he served for nearly two decades in various leadership roles, including Associate Director of Campus Ministry. Dr. Puglisi holds a Doctor of Ministry in Practical Theology from Catholic Theological Union, with a focus on racial reconciliation and institutional truth-telling. He is a nationally certified diversity professional and trained facilitator of racial healing circles, having worked with a range of organizations including Full Humanity Consulting and Interfaith Action of Central Texas. An accomplished speaker and author, his scholarship and presentations explore religious pluralism, Catholic identity, Christian privilege, and systemic equity. His work bridges theology, education, and social justice, and reflects a lifelong dedication to cultivating communities of dignity, dialogue, and belonging."
Dr James Puglisi
Puglisi Consulting, LLC
Vincent N. Parrillo, professor emeritus of sociology at William Paterson University, is an internationally recognized expert on immigration, Fulbright scholar, and award-winning author, filmmaker, and theater director. Twice honored with the university’s Faculty Achievement Award and recipient of its Legacy Award, he has written acclaimed historical novels Guardians of the Gate and Defenders of Freedom about Ellis Island, produced and narrated six award-winning PBS documentaries, and served as General Editor of the Encyclopedia of Social Problems. His textbooks on immigration and diversity have been translated into multiple languages, and his scholarly articles—published in journals such as Social Science Journal and Sociological Forum—have appeared in ten languages. His anthology, Vincent N. Parrillo: A Collection of His Work, compiles his lectures, essays, and scholarly writings, while his recent field research culminated in Hearts and Minds: Hizmet Schools and Interethnic Relations (2022). He has lectured at more than 100 universities across Asia, Europe, and North America, advised national leaders for the U.S. State Department, and conducted diversity training for the military and health care institutions. A past vice president of the Eastern Sociological Society and its Robin M. Williams, Jr. Distinguished Lecturer, he has held Fulbright and visiting scholar positions in the Czech Republic, London, Belgium, and Italy, and delivered keynote speeches worldwide. Beyond academia, he is active in regional theater as an actor and director, having staged numerous plays and musicals, co-lyricized the rock opera Hamlet—which premiered in Prague and Seoul to critical acclaim—and directed productions ranging from Follies to The Comedy of Errors.
Dr Vincent Parillo
William Paterson University
"Ekrem Dumanlı is a distinguished Turkish journalist, author, and media executive whose career spans over three decades. He served as Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Zaman Daily from 2001 to 2015, where he became a leading voice in Turkish media. A graduate of Istanbul University in Turkish Language and Literature, Dumanlı went on to earn his master’s degree in Print Journalism from Emerson College in the United States. He later taught courses on international relations and media at Fatih University, and moderated the widely followed TRT Haber program Çıkış Yolu. His work has appeared in prestigious international outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, and he has been interviewed by global media including Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and The Huffington Post. Throughout his career, Dumanlı has been an advocate for press freedom and ethical journalism. He chaired the Journalists and Writers Foundation, co-founded the Media Association, and was a keynote speaker at the European Parliament and the World News Media Congress. His contributions to media have earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of The 500 Most Influential Muslims by Georgetown University and receiving the Award of Excellence from The Society for News Design. He is also a prolific author, with over a dozen books exploring media, politics, and society."
Ekrem Dumanli
TR724 Media Group
"Dr. Mohammad Abul Mufazzal is a distinguished scholar of Arabic epigraphy, Islamic archaeology, and Islamic intellectual history. He currently serves as the Director of Academic Programs and Research at the Center for Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies and Research (CIISR) in Noida, India. A gold medalist in Arabic from the University of Delhi, he completed his M.Phil. and Ph.D. at Jawaharlal Nehru University, where his doctoral research focused on the development of Arabic epigraphy in North India and its broader cultural impacts. His academic interests span classical Arabic texts, Islamic historiography, and Arabic travelogues, with particular attention to the interplay between language, identity, and material culture in South Asia. Dr. Mufazzal has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, authoring articles on topics ranging from poetic Arabic inscriptions in the Red Fort to comparative studies of Islamic maslahah and Western utilitarianism. His scholarship has been presented at academic forums worldwide, including the United Nations General Assembly, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and the U.S. He has translated significant classical works, such as Ibn Rushd’s Al-Kulliyyāt fī al-Ṭibb, and played a key role in organizing international conferences addressing religion, extremism, and intercultural dialogue. Fluent in Arabic, English, Urdu, and Hindi, and conversant in Turkish and Persian, Dr. Mufazzal brings a multilingual and interdisciplinary perspective to his teaching, research, and public engagement."
Dr Mohammad Abul Mufazzal Khan
Centre for interdisciplinary Islamic Studies & Research (CIISR)
"Muhammed Çetin holds a master’s degree from the University of Leicester and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Derby, UK. He has served in various academic and advisory roles, including Lecturer, Vice Rector, and Ministerial Adviser in Turkmenistan. From 2003 to 2008, he was a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin and in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Houston. Dr. Çetin served voluntarily as President of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog (USA) from 2002 to 2008, where he also coordinated publications (2003–2011) and organized numerous interfaith conferences and cultural initiatives. He was a columnist for the international daily Today’s Zaman (2007–2011) and taught sociology at East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvania (2010–2011). He is the author and producer of the documentary DVDs Rumi and Universal Love and Dialogue and Call to Prayer, and has published several books, including The Gülen Movement: Civic Service Without Borders (2010), Hizmet: Questions and Answers on the Gülen Movement (2012), and Turkey’s Path to Democratization: Barriers, Actors, Outcomes (2014)—all published by Blue Dome Press and translated into multiple languages. From 2011 to 2015, Dr. Çetin served as a Member of Parliament in Turkey, representing Istanbul. During his tenure, he was Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly."
Dr. Muhammed Cetin
North American University
Dr Suleyman Sertkaya is a Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Australia. He graduated from the School of Divinity at the University of Marmara in Istanbul. He pursued his Master's degree in the field of tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis), focusing on chapter 18 of the Qur'an, at the same university. Dr. Sertkaya completed his PhD thesis on modern approaches to the sīrah (biography of Prophet Muhammad) genre at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Suleyman is the author of Modern Approaches to the Sīrah Genre: Fethullah Gülen’s Contribution (Springer, 2025). He also serves as the Managing Editor of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies. His primary areas of research include the sīrah (biography) of the Prophet and sīrah philosophy, Qur’anic exegesis, hadīth (Prophetic tradition), interpretation of Islamic sacred texts, Islamic systematic theology (kalām), Islam and morality, radicalisation and Islam, the history of prophets, oral history, and the history of Islam and Muslims in Australia.
Dr. Suleyman Sertkaya
Charles Sturt University
"Dr. Rafeeq Karimpanackal is the Academic Registrar at Darul Huda Islamic University in Kerala, India, where he has served in multiple academic and administrative capacities since 2003. He holds a Ph.D. in History and master's degrees in both Sociology and Islamic & Human Sciences. With over two decades of experience in teaching and curriculum development, Dr. Karimpanackal specializes in Islamic civilization, Hadith studies, and the sociology of religion. He has taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sociology, anthropology, and Hadith, and has served as an Academic Counselor for the Indira Gandhi National Open University. His research spans interpretive anthropology, Islamic education, and civilizational studies, with publications on topics ranging from ritual practice to Muslim intellectual responses to colonialism. He has presented papers and chaired sessions at leading academic forums across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Dr. Karimpanackal has received both Junior and Senior Research Fellowships from the University Grants Commission of India and remains an active voice in the discourse on integrated Islamic education and its societal impact."
Dr. Rafeeq Karimpanackal
Darul Huda Islamic University
"Semih Kiyma is a PhD student in Interreligious Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, where his research focuses on forgiveness and justice in Islam and Christianity. He holds a Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies from the same institution, where he completed a thesis exploring Pauline epistles from a Muslim perspective. With a background in Islamic theology from Erciyes University in Turkey and earlier doctoral studies at Fatih University, his academic journey bridges Muslim-Christian dialogue, scriptural reasoning, and restorative justice. In addition to his academic work, Kiyma serves as a writing counselor at Hartford International. Fluent in Turkish and English, with advanced Arabic and Ottoman Turkish skills, he actively promotes interfaith understanding through education, community leadership, and conference presentations."
Semih Kiyma
Hartford International
"Dr. Zuleyha Mary Fikret (also known as Zuleyha Colak) is a Senior Lecturer at Columbia University in the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies. With a Ph.D. in Ottoman and Modern Turkish Studies from Indiana University, her scholarly focus spans Ottoman literature, comparative literary theory, and Islamic spiritual thought. Her dissertation explored the portrayal of female figures in Ottoman Joseph and Zulaykha mesnevīs, highlighting themes of love, beauty, and gender. Dr. Colak has also taught extensively at the University of Minnesota and Indiana University, and she is a certified ACTFL/ILR Oral Proficiency Tester for Turkish. An accomplished educator and prolific scholar, Dr. Colak is the founder of the Risale Academy at Respect Graduate School, where she teaches courses on Islamic spirituality, Sufism, and Qur’anic stories through the lens of Said Nursi’s thought. She has published widely in both academic journals and edited volumes, covering topics such as women's representation in the Qur'an, Ottoman literature, and the pedagogical philosophy of the Hizmet movement. In addition to her academic contributions, she plays an active role in interfaith dialogue, teacher training, and curriculum development, particularly through her implementation of Francois Tochon’s “Deep Approach” in language pedagogy. Fluent in Turkish and English, with advanced reading knowledge of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Turkish, Dr. Colak continues to shape conversations in Islamic studies, Turkish literature, and transformative education."
Dr. Zuleyha Mary Fikret
Columbia University
"Abdulhamit Bilici is a veteran Turkish journalist, editor, and commentator with over 25 years of experience in political reporting, media management, and international affairs. He served as the Editor-in-Chief of Zaman, once Turkey’s highest-circulating newspaper, and CEO of the Zaman Media Group, which included Today’s Zaman, Aksiyon magazine, and Cihan News Agency. As a prominent voice for press freedom, Bilici was forced into exile following the Turkish government’s 2016 crackdown on independent media. Throughout his career, he has written extensively on Turkish foreign policy, democratization, and the Middle East, and has appeared on major international platforms such as Al Jazeera, CBS, and NPR. Currently based in the United States, Bilici continues his work as a freelance writer and public speaker, lecturing across American universities and world affairs councils on topics ranging from freedom of the press to authoritarianism in Turkey. He has taught workshops on international journalism and delivered keynote speeches for organizations such as the Center for American Progress and the Middle East Institute. A Fulbright scholar and published author, Bilici holds advanced degrees in international relations and business and is completing a PhD in international relations. His commitment to democratic values and human rights remains a defining feature of his career."
Abdulhamit Bilici
Tr724
"Celil Akgobek is a high-achieving neuroscience and political science student at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he maintains a 3.81 GPA and earned a 177 on the LSAT. A Harvard TRIALS finalist and LEDA Scholar, Celil brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and public service commitment to his work. His professional experience spans legislative research in the U.S. House of Representatives, intellectual property consulting at Discover STEM, and founding both a successful LSAT tutoring company and a six-figure e-commerce business. Beyond his academic and entrepreneurial endeavors, Celil is deeply engaged in community service and leadership. As Texas President of Blossom Together, he helped raise over $180,000 for humanitarian aid in West Africa, and he has mentored first-generation immigrant students through the Raindrop Foundation. He is also active on campus as Secretary of the John Marshall Pre-Law Society and Teaching Assistant in the Neuroscience Department. Fluent in English and Turkish, Celil exemplifies a dynamic blend of academic excellence, civic engagement, and leadership."
Celil Akgobek
University of Texas at Dallas
Mahmut Yilmaz is an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Government with a minor in Philosophy of Law. With a strong interest in immigration policy, legal technology, and public affairs, he combines academic inquiry with hands-on professional experience. He has held roles focused on digital strategy and communications, supporting legal and public service organizations through research, outreach, and project coordination. Mahmut has interned at Terra Pave International, contributing to trademark renewals and civic outreach on infrastructure projects. His campus involvement includes volunteer service with the UT Dialogue and Service Alliance and work with PROJECT PL-8’s marketing team. Fluent in both English and Turkish, Mahmut brings a multicultural and policy-oriented perspective to every project he undertakes, reflecting a commitment to ethical business practices and socially conscious leadership.
Mahmut Yilmaz
University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Yildirim has a rich history of involvement in various educational and research roles. He played a foundational role as a founder and President of Dialogue Institute. At the University of Texas at Austin, he served as the Director of the Engineering Education Research Center (EERC), where he conducted research on innovative model-based learning activities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. For a decade, he directed the Texas Pavement Preservation Center (TPPC) at the University of Texas at Austin. He also contributed as a faculty member in the Civil Engineering department at UT Austin for fifteen years. During his studies at UT, he served as a faculty member at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Dr. Yildirim's scholarly contributions include co-editing books such as "Flying with Two Wings: Interreligious Dialogue in the Age of Global Terrorism" and "The Ottoman Mosaic: Exploring Models for Peace by Re-Exploring the Past." Additionally, he is a board-certified chaplain and currently serves as a chaplain at Texas State Hospital.
Dr. Yetkin Yildirim
Rice University
"Dr. Mehmet-Evrim Altın is a scholar of educational sciences with extensive experience in teaching mathematics, statistics, and research methodology, both quantitative and qualitative. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Sciences with distinction (cum laude) from Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, where his dissertation focused on the internationalization of education through Gülen-inspired schools. His research lies at the intersection of innovative education, global pedagogy, and the sociopolitical dimensions of schooling, particularly within the context of the Gülen movement. Dr. Altın currently serves as a docent at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Bonn, Germany, where he teaches mathematics, statistics, and research methods. A seasoned educator and project manager, he has held academic and leadership roles in Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States. He has presented widely at international conferences and authored numerous scholarly publications on topics ranging from AI in mathematics education to diversity in Gülen-inspired schools. Multilingual and technologically adept, Dr. Altın is also the author of course modules and textbooks used in higher education."
Dr. Mehmet Evrim Altin
IU International University of Applied Sciences
"Safiye Yigit received her Ph.D. in Philosophy and Education from Columbia University in 2024. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from University of Houston and an M.A. in Philosophy from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. She is the co-editor of Moral Psychology of Curiosity (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018) and has contributed book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Yigit has taught philosophy at New York University and Fordham University and is currently preparing her forthcoming book, Existing More: Virtues of the Heart. She is also affiliated with the Peace Islands Institute, an organization dedicated to interfaith dialogue."
Dr Safiye Yigit
Columbia University
"Ann Graham is a dedicated human rights advocate whose work spans interfaith dialogue, refugee support, women’s rights, and community service. In recognition of her lifelong commitment to justice, she received the Ethel Lance Human and Civil Rights Award from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2021 and the Gulen Peace Award from the Dialogue Institute Austin in 2023. As a long-serving Advisory Board member of the Dialogue Institute, she has championed interfaith understanding by organizing Ramadan dinners, moderating peacebuilding events, and hosting Turkish-American families and refugees in her home since 2004. She has also written letters of support for persecuted Turkish citizens seeking asylum in the United States and traveled to Pennsylvania for the funeral service of Fethullah Gulen. Graham has served on numerous boards, including Justice for Our Neighbors, Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT), and the Women’s Storybook Project, which promotes the rights of incarcerated women and their children. A former president of both the Rotary Club of Austin (2022–23) and the Texas Chapter of the National Women’s Political Caucus (2016–17), she has worked globally on issues such as polio eradication in India and child education in Honduras. Her volunteer work includes preparing weekly meals for the homeless at Sunrise Navigation Center, coordinating meal programs for low-income housing residents, and promoting equitable asylum access as a trained legal representative. Graham’s unwavering commitment to civic engagement, social equity, and compassionate service reflects a deep, sustained effort to uplift marginalized communities both locally and globally."
Katherine Ann Graham
Hamline University School of Law
Ohr Torah Stone’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity, as well as the Executive Director of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center "Rabbi Dr. Yakov Meir Nagen is an American-Israeli scholar, educator, and prominent interfaith leader, serving as Director of the Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and the Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity at Ohr Torah Stone. A faculty member at Yeshivat Otniel, he holds rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University and a PhD in Jewish philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Nagen is widely recognized for his interdisciplinary approach to Talmudic literature, weaving together Halacha, Aggadah, Kabbalah, and philosophy, and has authored numerous influential works, including Be, Become, Bless and The Soul of the Mishna. A passionate advocate for interreligious understanding, Nagen engages in peacebuilding efforts between Jewish and Muslim leaders in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. He co-chairs the Abrahamic Reunion and actively participates in global interfaith platforms such as the United Religions Initiative and the N7 Initiative. His work envisions a transformative paradigm shift in Jewish relations with Islam and other world religions, modeled on the post-Vatican II rapprochement between Judaism and Christianity."
Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen
Ohr Torah Stone’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity
"Dr. Y. Alp Aslandogan is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Shared Values, a non-profit organization that promotes bringing together citizens of diverse backgrounds around shared values of humanity. The Alliance serves as an umbrella for foundations focusing on interfaith and intercultural dialogue in North America, bringing together citizens of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faith backgrounds around meaningful conversations and social responsibility projects. Dr. Aslandogan also serves as the chair of the Integration Committee of the North America Civic Platform, an association of cultural, religious and humanitarian organizations established by Hizmet Movement participants in North America. Prior to his current position Dr. Aslandogan served as the president of North American University, an adjunct faculty member of Prairie View A&M University, a faculty member of the University of Texas at Arlington, the board president of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog and a board member of the Gulen Institute in Houston, Texas. Dr. Aslandogan is a co-editor of “Muslim Citizens of the Globalized World: Contributions of the Gulen Movement” published by the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue. Dr. Aslandogan has served as an author and an editor of the Fountain magazine, and as a member of the board of practitioners and scholars of the Journal of Interreligious Dialogue. He published opinion columns on Newsweek, Huffington Post, CNN and Fox News.com. As the director of Alliance for Shared Values he was interviewed by PBS, CBS, and Voice of America. Dr. Aslandogan holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also did graduate studies at Hartford International University in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations."
Dr Alp Aslandogan
Alliance for Shared Values
"Dr. Kim Shively is a cultural anthropologist and Professor of Anthropology at Kutztown University, specializing in religion, politics, and gender in contemporary Turkey. She earned her Ph.D. from Brandeis University with a dissertation examining the intersection of the female body, religious radicalism, and nationalist ideology in modern Turkey. Dr. Shively is the author of Islam in Modern Turkey (Edinburgh University Press, 2021) and has published extensively on issues of secularism, Islamic piety, the Gülen movement, and gender-based violence in Turkish society. Her work critically engages questions of agency, ethics, and state power in Muslim-majority contexts, with articles featured in journals such as Anthropological Theory, Journal of Middle Eastern Women’s Studies, and American Academy of Religion. In addition to her academic scholarship, Dr. Shively has held leadership roles in the field, including as past president of the Association of Middle East Anthropology and member of the editorial board for the American Anthropological Association’s Middle East Section. She has presented her research globally and has served as a grant reviewer for international organizations such as the Qatar Foundation and the Czech Science Foundation. Fluent in Turkish and German, Dr. Shively also contributes to public service as an elected member of the Bethlehem Area School District Board, where she supports education policy and community engagement."
Dr. Kim Shively
Kutztown University
"Marian Hillar, M.D., Ph.D. is a philosopher, theologian, scientist, and linguist. He earned his medical degree from Gdansk Medical School and conducted advanced studies at the Sorbonne and Jagiellonian University. He has taught and conducted research at institutions across Europe and the United States, including Camerino University in Italy, Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, and Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. Currently, he serves as Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies and Director of the Center for Philosophy, Social, and Religious Studies at Texas Southern University in Houston, where he also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Hillar is the founding editor and former editor-in-chief (1992–2011) of Essays in the Philosophy of Humanism. His areas of expertise include the history of philosophy, the origin of moral behavior, the development of Christian theology, radical revolutions, and comparative religion. A leading authority on Michael Servetus, he co-translated Servetus’s seminal work Christianismi Restitutio into English. His groundbreaking book, From Logos to Trinity: The Evolution of Religious Beliefs from Pythagoras to Tertullian (Cambridge University Press, 2012), explores the historical development of the doctrine of the Trinity. Dr. Hillar has authored or translated 14 books and written nearly 200 scholarly articles and book chapters, including significant contributions in biochemistry and molecular biology."
Dr. Marian Hillar
Texas Southern University
"Dr. Lyndsey Eksili is an accomplished educational leader, editorial director, and researcher with over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She holds a Doctorate in School Leadership and advanced certifications in cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care, bringing a unique blend of academic expertise and holistic student-centered approaches to education. As Editorial Director of Youth Titles at Tughra Books, she drives the creation of innovative, values-based literature for children and young adults, collaborating with authors, illustrators, and educators to craft impactful narratives that inspire and engage. Her strategic leadership has revitalized youth content, expanded market reach, and positioned Tughra Books as a key voice in educational and character-driven publishing. Previously serving as Head of School and School Board President at Pinnacle Academy in Virginia, Dr. Eksili has led institutions to national recognition for academic excellence, STEM achievement, and early childhood education. Her career includes leadership roles with Harmony Public Schools, the Washington Education Foundation, and Concept Schools, where she spearheaded curriculum development, research initiatives, and community engagement efforts. Known for her visionary approach and expertise in social-emotional learning, policy analysis, and educational innovation, Dr. Eksili continues to shape the future of education through her editorial work, consultancy roles, and commitment to advancing equity and holistic learning environments."
Dr. Lyndsey Eksili
The Fountain Magazine
"Professor Juliet Christine Perumal is an internationally recognized scholar, educator, and advocate for social justice in education, currently serving as the Head of the Wits School of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. An NRF C1-rated researcher, she brings over three decades of experience in higher education, teacher training, curriculum development, feminist pedagogy, and education leadership. Her work focuses on issues of race, gender, migration, and equity in disadvantaged contexts, with extensive research in South Africa and across the African continent. She has held senior academic and administrative roles at leading South African universities, including the University of Johannesburg, where she was Vice Dean of Research and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Education. Professor Perumal has supervised dozens of master's and doctoral students, developed groundbreaking courses on education leadership and qualitative research, and published prolifically in top-tier journals. She has delivered keynote addresses at the United Nations and international conferences, collaborated on global research initiatives in the US, Europe, and Africa, and served on multiple advisory boards including Routledge’s “Perspectives on Education in Africa.” Her commitment to inclusive and transformative education is further demonstrated through her community outreach with refugee learners and her research on women’s leadership, immigrant teachers, and critical pedagogies of place."
Prof. Dr. Juliet Perumal
Wits School of Education, University of Witwatersrand
"Derya Iner is an Associate Professor and research coordinator at the Centre for Islamic Studies (CISAC), where she teaches and conducts research on contemporary issues related to Islam, Islamic cultures, and Muslims. Derya completed her PhD in Wisconsin-Madison in cultural studies with a minor in Gender Studies in 2011. Iner is known for her work as the chief investigator and editor of the Islamophobia in Australia Reports I, II, III, and IV (2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023), which have gained nationwide and worldwide attention. The second report alone reached a potential audience of 730 million internationally, while the third report reached over 200 million within the first week of its launch. Her academic interests include topics such as Islam and Muslims in the West and Australia, women in Islam, Islamic cultures and societies, Muslim youth identity, anthropology of Islam, and women's intellectual and political activism in early 20th century Muslim states. Iner’s research has been widely recognised with her Islamophobia research, which made a significant impact by being featured in national and international media outlets and quoted in parliamentary discussions by leading politicians and bureaucrats. Iner serves as an expert panel in the advisory boards of online hate by Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and the “Anti-Racism at Work” and “RISE” projects by the Diversity Council Australia, and Religious Intolerance Taks force by NSW Education in Public schools. In addition to her role at CISAC and community work at Islamic Science and Research Academy, Iner served as the deputy chair and research head of the Islamophobia Register Australia contributed to consultations by the Australian Human Rights Commission on religious freedom and anti-racism framework. Deya has been appointed by the Attorney General to the Anti-Discrimination Board NSW in 2024. "
Dr. Derya Iner
Charles Sturt University
"Asuman Celik is a doctoral researcher in Computer Science at Stevens Institute of Technology, where she is affiliated with the Health and AI Lab. Her work lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, biomedical informatics, and computational biology, with a particular focus on deep learning applications for precision medicine and medical imaging. She holds a Master of Science in Information Technology with a specialization in Biomedical Informatics from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North American University, where she also minored in Mathematics. Celik has contributed to diverse research initiatives at leading institutions such as Genmab, Cleveland Clinic, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and the Scripps Research Institute. Her research spans areas such as AML subtype stratification, multi-omics analysis, and drug-drug interaction prediction using graph neural networks. An experienced educator, she has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in machine learning, systems design, and programming languages. Dr. Celik is also a recipient of multiple fellowships and honors, including the Grace Hopper Celebration Student Scholar award, and actively leads and mentors through ACM-W and youth-focused STEM outreach initiatives."
Asuman Celik
Stevens Institute of Technology
"Hilal Akdeniz is a sociologist and researcher whose work explores migration, identity, gender, and intersectional discrimination, particularly within the Turkish diaspora and Muslim civil society organizations. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Sociology at Goethe University Frankfurt, where her dissertation investigates biographical discontinuities and identity ruptures among individuals affected by the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Akdeniz holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from Goethe University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Ethnology, with research focused on intersectional experiences of young Muslim women. Her academic trajectory spans multiple universities across Germany and Switzerland, including Augsburg, Bochum, Bern, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt. Akdeniz has served as a lecturer at the Universities of Potsdam and Oldenburg, and is an active follower of Stiftung Dialog und Bildung (Foundation for Dialog and Education). She has contributed to a variety of research initiatives, including the Fem4Dem project, and is an active voice in interfaith and intercultural dialogue through organizations such as the Interkultureller Rat Darmstadt. Her publications and conference presentations center on migration, religion, and sociopolitical dynamics in transnational contexts, with particular attention to the impact of authoritarian regimes on diasporic communities."
Hilal Akdeniz
Stiftung Dialog und Bildung
Arhan Kardas studied law at Ankara University and philosophy at Gazi University. He then worked as a research assistant at the Faculty of History at Bilkent University. He was awarded the title of Magister iuris in Vienna. There he was also one of the co-founders of the Dialogue Institute Friede, where he worked for eight years, first as Chairman of the Board and later as Secretary General. In 2007, he was awarded honorary Austrian citizenship for special achievements in the field of science and intercultural dialog. In 2008, Arhan Kardaş was appointed editor-in-chief of the magazine “Zukunft” in Offenbach am Main. Between 2004 and 2012, he also wrote as a columnist for the Turkish daily newspaper Zaman. Arhan Kardaş speaks English, German, Arabic, Persian and Ottoman and understands Latin, Hebrew and French as well as the languages of many Turkic peoples. He lectures on topics such as media, human rights, religion, democracy, Sufism, theology and intercultural and interreligious dialog. He has been editor-in-chief of Main-Donau Verlag in Frankfurt am Main since 2012. In 2017, the publishing house moved to Berlin. He works as a lecturer at the University of Potsdam on Islamic history, philosophy and theology. He wrote his dissertation on the equality of women in universal human rights law compared to Islamic law at the University of Erlangen. He has numerous videos on various topics related to the philosophy of religion and human rights. He is also the chairman of the board of the Islamic Academy for Education and Society e.V. in Berlin. He is also an ambassador for House of One.
Dr. Arhan Kardas
The University of Potsdam
"Professor Paul Weller is a distinguished scholar of religion and society, currently serving as a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford and Emeritus Professor at the University of Derby. With a Doctor of Letters recognizing his pioneering work in inter-religious dialogue and pluralism in the UK, his academic trajectory spans over four decades and includes leadership roles in higher education, groundbreaking research on religion and belief discrimination, and influential contributions to policy development across Europe. Professor Weller holds multiple degrees in theology and religious studies from the University of Oxford, University of Manchester, and University of Leeds. A leading voice on religion and belief diversity in public life, Professor Weller’s scholarship has focused extensively on interfaith relations, religious freedom, and Muslim communities in Europe, including in-depth research on the teachings of Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet movement. He has authored and edited numerous works, including Hizmet in Transitions and Fethullah Gülen’s Teaching and Practice, and continues to shape academic and policy conversations through research, publication, and doctoral supervision."
Dr. Paul Weller
University of Oxford; University of Derby; Coventry University
"Dr. Nevin Reda is Associate Professor of Muslim Studies at Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. She holds a PhD in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations from the University of Toronto, where her research focused on textual coherence in the Qur'an, particularly in Surat al-Baqara. A prolific scholar and widely respected voice in Islamic feminist hermeneutics, Dr. Reda’s research engages topics such as postcolonial theory, Qur’anic structure, divine attributes, and ethical-legal reform. Her publications include The al-Baqara Crescendo and the co-edited volume Islamic Interpretive Tradition and Gender Justice, both from McGill-Queen’s University Press. Fluent in Arabic and proficient in multiple ancient and modern languages, Dr. Reda is an active member of the International Qur’anic Studies Association and the International Academy of Practical Theology. She is committed to spiritually integrative and justice-oriented scholarship that bridges Islamic traditions with contemporary ethical and social concerns. Through her teaching, public scholarship, and interfaith work, she continues to shape the evolving field of Muslim studies in North America."
Dr. Nevin Reda
Emmanuel College at Victoria University in the University of Toronto
"Imam Dr. Bilal W. Ansari is a 2011 graduate of Hartford International University where he completed his M.Div equivalency and a 2019 graduate of Pacific School of Religion where he received the Doctor of Ministry degree with distinction upon submission of the dissertation entitled, “Shepherding as Islamic Pastoral Theology: Case Studies in American Muslim Chaplaincy.” Dr. Ansari began his chaplaincy experience on two military bases in San Diego, California volunteering from 1994 to 1997. Dr. Ansari then began working as a professional correctional chaplain for the State of Connecticut in 1997 until 2009 and Federal Bureau of Prisons from 2009 to 2011. Dr. Ansari did his clinical pastoral education at St. Francis Hospital then served on its Professional Advisory Committee and the University of California San Francisco Advisory Committee between 2009-2016. Dr. Ansari was the first Muslim chaplain at Williams College and Assistant Director of the Center of Learning in Action. Dr. Ansari served as Dean of Student Services and Director of Student Life while Zaytuna College was going through initial accreditation. Dr. Ansari is Assistant Vice President for Campus Engagement at Williams College, Director of Islamic Chaplaincy at Hartford International University, Co-Director of the MA in Chaplaincy, and Associate Professor of Practice. Dr. Ansari believes in the notion of shepherding as a Muslim form of institutional leadership. His scholarship and activism includes serving on the Institute of Muslim Mental Health, Professional Advisory Committee and work in the field of Diversity Equity and Inclusion."
Dr Bilal Ansari
Associate Professor of Practice, Co-Director of MA in Chaplaincy, Director of Islamic Chaplaincy program
"Dr. Seyma Aslan is a visionary scientist, innovation strategist, and global leader with over 15 years of experience in research, development, and executive management. She currently serves as Director of Open Innovation & Business Development for the Americas at L’Oréal Research & Innovation, where she builds strategic partnerships with startups, VCs, and academic institutions to drive cutting-edge technological advancements. Holding a PhD in Chemical & Environmental Engineering from Yale University, Dr. Aslan has an extensive track record in upstream and downstream R&D, patent generation, sustainable formulation, and cross-functional leadership in the beauty and personal care industry. A strong advocate of transformational leadership and diversity in STEM, Dr. Aslan has spearheaded initiatives like the Ivy League Innovation Model and has served on the boards of Peace Islands New York, YaleWomen, and the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. Recognized with awards such as “40 Under 40” by Drexel University and the “Each for Equal” Women’s Day Award, she exemplifies the fusion of scientific excellence, inclusive leadership, and social impact."
Dr Seyma Aslan
Yale University
"Ghada Ghazal is an interdisciplinary scholar, educator, and interfaith advocate specializing in Qur’anic Studies, Islamic thought, and comparative religion. She is currently a PhD candidate in Qur’anic Studies at Charles Sturt University’s School of Theology in Sydney, Australia. Ghazal holds two master’s degrees—one in Islamic Studies from Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, and another in English Language Teaching from the University of Warwick, UK—as well as advanced qualifications in English Literature and Islamic Law. Her academic journey reflects a rare synthesis of Islamic theology, scriptural hermeneutics, and interreligious dialogue, complemented by formal Qur’an ijaza training in various qira’at traditions. Over the past two decades, Ghazal has served in academic and nonprofit leadership roles across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. She was Associate Director of Research at KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights and a Teaching Assistant at The Catholic University of America. A prolific writer and conference speaker, her publications engage topics such as Marian devotion in Islam and Christianity, liberation hermeneutics, and gender justice in Islamic law. Fluent in Arabic and English with proficiency in Persian, Hebrew, and Syriac, Ghazal continues to advance inclusive and critical scholarship rooted in both classical Islamic traditions and contemporary global concerns."
Dr. Ghada Ghazal
Charles Sturt University
Emre Celik, originally from Sydney, Australia, is the Executive Director of Peace Islands New York and Chairman of the International Festival of Language and Culture USA. He previously served as President of the Rumi Forum in Washington, DC (2009–2019) and has been active in interfaith and civic initiatives, including organizing the first White House Eid-ul-Adha event in 2014 and coordinating the first Holocaust Education Project for Muslim students (2021–2022). In 2024 he was appointed UTS Alumni Ambassador for New York, honored with the Spirit of Isaac Hecker Award, and had an audience with Pope Francis. A PhD candidate in Islamic Studies and former Georgetown research associate, he has presented at universities such as Harvard and Georgetown, engaged with global leaders, and been interviewed in major outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post. His interests include pluralism, diaspora Muslims, religious freedom, and community activism.
Emre Celik
Peace Islands Institute, New York
Prof. Dr. Emmanuel Ojo is a Professor (Associate) and Deputy Head of the School of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the School of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where he also chairs the Faculty of Humanities Transformation, Internationalisation, and Partnerships Committee. He holds a PhD in Higher Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Skills, both from Wits. Recognised as a C2-rated researcher by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF), his scholarship spans higher education, economics education, transdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable development.
Dr. Emmanuel Ojo
University of the Witwatersrand
Dr. Chibueze Tobias Orji is a scholar, TVET consultant, and Senior Lecturer in Industrial Technical Education at the University of Nigeria. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Wits School of Education, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in South Africa. His research focus is on improving digital education and learning, technological innovations in education, technology-enhanced learning, innovative pedagogy, problem-based learning, career transition, and employability. He has published papers in various reputable impact factor journals and presented papers at conferences. He is a certified TVET educator. He has a balanced personality with a strong research and administrative track record. He is a member of IVETA (International Vocational Education and Training Association), AVTEN (Association of Vocational and Technical Educators of Nigeria), TRCN (Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria), INTEI (International Network of Teacher Education Institutions) and IndigenousESD Network.
Dr. Chibueze Tobias Orji
University of the Witwatersrand

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