The focus of the Western Studies Institute
The Western Studies Institute will concentrate on studying the West through intensive research and educational programs in fields as diverse as literature, philosophy, religion, law, art, cultural studies, history, anthropology, social science, politics, and economics.
Board of Trustees
Fahad A. Alhomoudi
president / / founder of wsiDr. Alhomoudi is the founder and president of the Western Studies Institute. In the past he served as Head of Research Accreditation and Quality Assurance, Vice-Dean for Academic Research and Publication, and professor at the School of Law of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University. He is currently a consultant for Princess Norah bint Abdulrahman University. Through his role as Fulbright Scholar, Alhomoudi has engaged in extensive Intercultural/Interfaith Dialogue initiatives, including the establishment of the Western Studies Institute. He has been a visiting professor and lecturer at McGill University, Loyola University, and Melbourne University. He was awarded a BA in Principals of Religion and an MA in Islamic Studies from Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University followed by a PhD in Islamic Studies from McGill University. His academic research has focused on Prophetic Tradition, Islamic Law and Environmental Law, and Methodology of Muslim Scholars. He is a member of several international committees and associations, and has published numerous books and articles.
Leonard Swidler
Temple university, usaDr. Swidler is Professor of Catholic Thought and Interreligious Dialogue at Temple University, in Philadelphia, PA where he has taught since 1966. He is the co-founder and Editor of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies. He is also the Founder/President of the Dialogue Institute, and the Founder/President of the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church.
Sarah S. Khadhr
founding member of wsiMs. Khadhr is a founding member of the WSI Board of Trustees and oversees WSI publications and website. In the past, she has contributed to several websites including serving as director of an online youth journal. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with a focus on Contemporary Schools of Thought and Ideology from Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition, she holds certificates for the Microcomputer Software Specialist Program at Washington Business School in Vienna, VA, USA and web page development from the Business Training Center of John Abbot College in Quebec, Canada.
Bader Mugayel
shumou investment CompanyMr. Mugayel is the general manager of Shumou Investment Co. at Shumou Investment Group in Saudi Arabia, where he generated new development deals for a real estate development company that focuses on multi-family residential projects, including real-estate market analysis. He was previously an investment manager at MIG GROUP.
Sabine O'Hara
Global ecologyDr. O’Hara is the Managing Director and Vice President of Professors Beyond Borders and Principal of Global Ecology LLC. A respected author, researcher and higher education executive, Dr. O’Hara previously served as the Executive Director of the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) and Vice President of the Institute of International Education (IIE), an international exchange organization responsible for administering the Fulbright program. Previous positions include President of Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, and faculty and administrative leadership positions at Concordia College, Green Mountain College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a visiting scholar position at Harvard University.