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About the institute

The Western Studies Institute concentrates 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.

Building connections

The Western Studies Institute is the premier center in the Arab World for the academic study of Western culture and society. WSI aims to build a cultural bridge to link people and institutions from the West and the Muslim world by finding solutions to global problems common to both.

Research focus

The Western Studies Institute research aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most influential Western political, educational and social institutions, their histories and current significance.

The Western Studies Institute publishes a scholarly journal dedicated to reflect the interdisciplinary and dynamic field of Western Studies. Our aim is to promote the exchange of information and knowledge among researchers around the globe in general, and among Arabic-English speaking practitioners, and educators in particular.

We believe a commitment to top-quality research in both languages will increase and enrich the reach and impact of the journal. The Journal of Western Studies welcomes sponsors. Find out more about becoming a sponsor or making a donation to the Institute.

The Western Studies Institute provides book reviews of particularly influential Western works, abstracts of the most important theses, as well as introductions to important Western figures, highlighting their roles and contributions.

The Western Studies Institute provides regular studies on various topics related to Western history and society including articles providing in-depth overviews, histories and analyses of current issues in the West.

Objectives

Our Vision

The Western Studies Institute will become the premier center in the Arab World for the academic study of Western culture and society. The Western Studies Institute aims at building a cultural bridge to link people and institutions from the West with the Muslim world by finding solutions to global problems common to both. Our research aim will be to provide a comprehensive overview of the most influential Western political, educational and social institutions, their histories and current significance.

Our Objectives

The intellectual output of the Western Studies Institute consist of the following:

•The largest and most accurate Arabic language database devoted to Western Studies.

•Connecting the expertise of Western universities to development opportunities in the legal and educational domains in the Arab world.

•Regular studies on various topics related to Western history and society.

• Up-to-date accounts of major news and events in the Western world, including awards, conferences, book fares, lectures.

•Present an accurate and objective view on Western History, Religions and Politics.

•Build linkage between researchers and research centers in the West with their counter parties in the Arab world.

Our Mission

The mission of the Western Studies Institute is to encourage mutual understanding and cooperation between the Islamic and Western worlds. The methods of accomplishing our mission are through education, research, translation, publication and cultural exchanges.

 

Who we are

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 wsi

Dr. 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, usa

Dr. 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.

http://institute.jesdialogue.org

Sarah S. Khadhr

founding member of wsi

Ms. 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 Company

Mr. 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.

www.shumou.com

Sabine O'Hara

Global ecology

Dr. 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.

www.globalecology.com

Harry Halloran

American Refining group

Mr. Halloran is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Refining Group. He is also the Chairman and CEO of ARG Resources. Mr. Halloran is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in civil engineering. After graduating, he entered the Augustinian seminary for four years and earned a Master of Arts degree in theology. Mr. Halloran is founder and CEO of Energy Unlimited, Inc., a company involved in the renewable-energy field, and has served on the board of The American Wind Energy Association. Other past positions include Trustee of Villanova University, College of Commerce and Finance; and Trustee of The Academy of Natural Sciences. He is also the Founding Trustee of The Enlightened World Foundation and the Halloran Foundation. He is a member of the Caux Round Table and serves on the Board of The Journal of Ecumenical Studies. Mr. Halloran founded Halloran Philanthropies in 2007 with the belief that business is one of the most powerful drivers for positive social change.

www.halloranphilanthropies.org

 

Western Studies Institute Staff

Asmaa Mirza

project manager and website editor

Asmaa Mirza is Website Editor and Project Manager at the Western Studies Institute. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK with honours in Computer Science and Internet Technology.

 

Western Studies Institute Partners

The Western Studies Institute has developed partnerships with these prestigious universities:

The George Washington University

Washington, D.C. // usa

The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on February 9, 1821, as The Columbian College in the District of Columbia.

www.gwu.edu

Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was founded in 1953. The university houses 10 faculties. It currently has more than 24,000 students and 1,300 faculty. It has intermediate and secondary Islamic institutes in major cities of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Djibouti.

www.imamu.edu.sa

Saudi Association of Languages and Translations

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

SAOLT was established in realization of the decision of the council of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic university, passed in its session held on 6 October 2003. SAOLT aims to Provide scholarly consultation, publishing the results of ensuing research and distributing them among and exchanging them with scholarly bodies inside and outside Saudi Arabia as well as authoring, translating and distributing scholarly publications in the fields in which the association is specialized and related disciplines.

www.saolt.net

What we do

What the Western Studies Institute does

WSI fulfills its mission through these objectives:

Education

Educating peoples of the Islamic World about western humanities and sciences. This is further encouraged through the Journal of Western Studies (JWS), which seeks to better understand the Western world, to foster relationships between it and the Muslim world. The mission of the journal is to attract the highest quality theoretical research in fields as diverse as literature, philosophy, religion, law, art, cultural studies, history, anthropology, social science, politics, and economics.

// FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JSW

Research

To foster research on western humanities and sciences as these apply to the Islamic World.

Translation

To foster the translation of appropriate material into languages of the Islamic World.

Publications

To foster the publication of original works, translations, periodicals, etc.

Scholar Exchanges

To foster interreligious and intercultural events and activities.

News

june 16-19, 2011

WSI attends conference at Bryn Mawr

Western Studies Institute attended as well as set up a booth at the Friends Association for Higher Education conference on “Living Our Heritage: Seeking Equality Through Education” at Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA. A representative was available at the booth providing information on the Institute and its programs.

The president of WSI, Dr. Fahad Alhomoudi , also presented a paper entitle: Was prophet Muhammad a feminist?

 

Philadelphia, PA // usa// june 18, 2011

WSI Board of Trustees holds second Board Meeting

The board members came together to deliberate and analyze the progress of Western Studies Institute. Current programs were discussed and the board accepted the partnership with AFS USA in establishing the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) in Saudi Arabia.

There was also discussion of improvements to the business model as well as the review & re focus of Western Studies Institutes goals & objectives.

The meeting concluded with the arrangement for the next board meeting later this year.

 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabi

Memorandum of Understanding Signed

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Riyadh between WSI and Saudi Association of Languages and Translations, SAOLT. The MoU was signed by Dr. Sabine O'Hara, a member of WSI's Board of Trustees, and Ahmed Al Banyan the President of SAOLT. The MoU involves the cooperation of the two parties in actively working to promote and encourage cooperation between them in the realm of higher education and academic research.

 

Washington, D.C. // USA

Western Studies Institute partners with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies to Address Issues of Collaboration between the West and the Islamic World.

Officials at The George Washington University College of Professional Studies have agreed to partner with the Western Studies Institute to pursue the establishment of the American and Saudi Arabian Dialogue (ASAD) Education Center. The ASAD Education Center will offer opportunities to address issues of collaboration between the West (mainly the United States) and the Islamic World (mainly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) on matters of the law, security, education, economics, business, and other professional fields of mutual interest. The plan now under way foresees the establishment of both non-credit bearing events and credit bearing courses that are open to students and professionals in Saudi Arabia and the United States.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Fahad Alhomoudi
Western Studies Institute
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +966 2006012
or
Dr. Ali Eskandarian
George Washington University College of Professional Studies
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 202 994 8192

 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday 31-1-2011

WSI Board of Trustees holds first meeting

With the participation of all the members, the first meeting of the Western Studies Institute’s Board of Trustees was held in Riyadh. During the meeting, several issues concerning the institute were discussed and the following decisions were made:

1. The board accepted each of the three proposed Memorandums of Understanding between WSI and George Washington University, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University and King Saud University respectively.

2. WSI will contract with a business office for local representation in Riyadh.

3. Board of trustees meetings will be held on a bimonthly basis.

The meeting was concluded promptly thereafter.

 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, 31-1-2011

Memorandum of Understanding Signed

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Riyadh between WSI and Sheikh Fahad Al-Mugayel Research Chair for Commercial Studies at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University. The MoU was signed by Dr. Sabine O'Hara, a member of WSI's Board of Trustees, and Dr. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Luhaidan, Chairman and Deputy of the Higher Institute for Jurisprudence. The MoU involves the cooperation of the two parties in training and scholar exchange programs as well as in publications of common interest.

 

WSI Events

June 16 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
American Culture and Religious Diversity: A Saudi Arabian Perspective publication launch.

June 16 - 19, 2011Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA
WSI will be an exhibitor at The Friends Association for Higher Education annual conference, titled “Living our Heritage: Seeking Equality Through Education,”at Bryn Mawr College.

 

Publications

Western Studies Institute Publications

WSI produces a scholarly journal as well as publishes a selection of titles related to western study.

 

Waleed Bleyhesh Al-Amri

journal of western studies, Editor

Dr. Waleed Al-Amri holds a PhD in Translation Studies, Center for Translation and Intercultural Studies from Manchester University, UK, 2002. He is the Assistant Professor of the Department of Languages and Translation, College of Arts and Humanities at Taibah University, Madinah, KSA as well as the Director of the English Languages Center, Taibah University, Madinah, KSA. Dr. Waleed is a member and secretary for Research and Publication, Saudi Association of Languages and Translation. He is the Editor of ‘Ayn, Journal of the Saudi Association of Languages and Translation as well as the founding editor of Journal of Quranic Research and Studies, King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex, 2004-2010. Dr. Waleed has worked as the Senior Researcher, Translations Center, King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex, 2002-2010 and his research interests are Translation and Intercultural Studies & Quran Translation.

Fahad A. Alhomoudi

president / founder of wsi

Dr. 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.

Abdullah Saeed

university of melbourne, australia

Dr. Saeed is professor and director of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies at University of Melbourne. His is also a past board member of the Australia Thailand Institute at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia). His publications have covered Qur’anic hermeneutics, Islam and human rights, Islamic law reform, Islamic finance, Muslim communities in Australia, and Islam and freedom of religion.

Leonard Swidler

Temple university, usa

Dr. 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.

Kristen Stilt

northwestern university, usa

Dr. Stilt, a graduate of Harvard University, is an Associate Professor in the School of Law at Northwestern University in Chicago. She holds a joint appointment in the History Department. Her areas of focus are Islamic law and socio-legal history of the Islamic world. She has received grants from Fulbright, Fulbright-Hays, the American Research Center in Egypt, the Mellon Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Carnegie Corporation.

Marcia Hermansen

Loyola University Chicago, USA

Dr. Marcia Hermansen is Director of the Islamic World Studies program at Loyola University Chicago where she is also Professor of Islamic Studies and Religious Studies in the Theology Department. She received her Ph. D. from the University of Chicago in Arabic and Islamic Studies. In the course of her research and language training she lived for extended periods in Egypt, Jordan, India, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan and she conducts research in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Turkish as well as the major European languages. Her books include, The Conclusive Argument from God, a study and translation (from Arabic) of Shah Wali Allah of Delhi’s, Hujjat Allah al-Baligha (Brill, 1996) and Shah Wali Allah’s Treatises on Islamic Law (Fons Vitae, 2010). She is co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World (2003). Dr. Hermansen has contributed numerous academic articles in the fields of Islamic Thought, Sufism, Islam and Muslims in South Asia, Muslims in America, and Women and Gender in Islam.

Maha Al Ajmi

University of Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman

Dr. Al Ajmi is the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman. She holds a doctorate in Curriculum &Teaching methods from the University of Pittsburgh, USA. Dr. Al Ajmi has contributed scientific research to many journals and is a member of several committees, the most recent being the Advisory Committee Member of the Council of Deans of educational universities in Saudi Arabia & Member of the Standing Advisory Committee for the Deanship of Graduate Studies. She is also a member of Saudi Society of Curricula and Educational Supervision, Egyptian Association for Curriculum and Teaching Methods & DEBONO Center for Teaching Thinking.

 

JWS Copyright Notice

articles submitted to the Journal of Western Studies must be original.

The Journal of Western Studies guarantees that all articles will be available freely to all users for non-commercial use under our open access policy. Use of articles published in this journal shall fall under the Creative Commons license. Articles published in the Journal of Western Studies cannot be re-published for commercial purpose without the permission of the one of the copyright holders (either the author or Journal of Western Studies). 

Re-publishing must directly refer and cite this journal with the statement “first published in the Journal of Western Studies”. The editor of the Journal of Western Studies reserves the right to publish articles via a variety of mediums. We also reserve the right to cooperate with third parties who seeks to increase the availability and access to the journal’s contents.

 

JWS Privacy Notice

the Journal of Western Studies respects the privacy of its contributors.

The names and email addresses published in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party. 

 

Books

WSI produces a scholarly journal as well as publishes a selection of titles related to western study.

American Culture and Religious Diversity:

A Saudi Arabian Perspective

author: Fahad A. Alhomoudi, Ph.D. // Edited by: rebecca M. Mays

This book addresses the grassroots of two nations, know for their long friendship and collaboration, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. The author's intention in writing the book is to build a bridge to open a channel for dialogue among American and Saudi people. The book describes experiences during the author's first stay in the U.S. and provides informative summaries fo the people, historical sites, religious places, and concepts he encountered, as well as thoughtful reflection and interpretation of what was seen and learned.

Published by: Western Studies Institute and Ecumenical Press, 2011

Associations / Alumni

 

Why join the Western Studies Institute?

The membership is free until the end of 2012 for those who register in 2011.

As a member, you’ll have a powerful voice that will improve our institution with a broad range of benefits that include but are not limited to the following:

· Access to our online journal
· Exposure to scholarship opportunities
· Staying up-to-date with conferences and other activities in your areas of interest through our news
· Being informed about our publication
· Access to our funding resources

· Western Studies Association
· Distinguished Scholar Alumni

Make a Donation

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  • Please mail to:
  • Westerm Studies Institute
  • PO Box 11462
    Washington, DC 20008, USA
    

 

 

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