Academics
Dr. Vinay Khetia
Duas and Ziyarat in Islamic Literature
Dr. Vinay Khetia is an accomplished academic who has taken great strides in the field of religious studies. With his exceptional qualifications, including a PhD in Religious Studies from McMaster University and an MA in History and Philosophy of Religion from Concordia University, his contributions to the academic community are unparalleled. Dr. Khetia has had his published works on Islamic law and exegesis well received, reflecting his immense knowledge on the subject matter. In particular, his areas of interest include Twelver Shi’ism, which has become a focal point for his studies.
What sets Dr. Khetia apart is his dedication and perseverance in pursuing his studies in various Islamic seminaries over 20 years. His time at these seminaries honed his expertise and deepened his passion for the subject matter. This dedication and passion are evident in his guest lectureship at Harvard University and as a lecturer at both McMaster University and the University of Toronto. These accomplishments highlight Dr. Khetia’s unwavering commitment to his field and his continuous drive to educate others on important religious topics.
Professor Jonathan Brown
Slavery & Islam
Jonathan Brown is a professor and director in the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in the School of Foreign Service and the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. He joined the Georgetown faculty in 2010.
Slavery & Islam
What happens when authorities you venerate condone something you know is wrong?
Every major religion and philosophy once condoned or approved of slavery, but in modern times nothing is seen as more evil. Americans confront this crisis of authority when they erect statues of Founding Fathers who slept with their slaves. And Muslims faced it when ISIS revived sex-slavery, justifying it with verses from the Quran and the practice of Muhammad.
Exploring the moral and ultimately theological problem of slavery, Jonathan A.C. Brown traces how the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions have tried to reconcile modern moral certainties with the infallibility of God’s message. He lays out how Islam viewed slavery in theory, and the reality of how it was practiced across Islamic civilization. Finally, Brown carefully examines arguments put forward by Muslims for the abolition of slavery.