Islamic Studies

The Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professorship in Islamic Studies was created through donations from hundreds of members of the Islamic Center of Orlando, allowing UCF to build an Islamic Studies program through speakers, events, and new vehicles for interfaith dialogue, with the overall effect of promoting the understanding and appreciation of Islam and Muslim communities.
The Islamic Studies program at UCF establishes connections among students and faculty for talking religion, theology and social issues. The goal of the program is to create an environment that fosters intercultural awareness, especially as it concerns Islam and Muslims, and to establish a hub for interfaith dialogue on the UCF campus, allowing students to ask questions and discover answers.
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Photo of Cyrus Ali Zargar

Program Director

Cyrus Ali Zargar

Profile [email protected]

Cyrus Zargar is the Endowed Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor in Islamic Studies. His research interests include Classical Sufism, Islamic Philosophy, Arabic and Persian Sufi Literature, and Ethics in Literature and Film.

Courses

These are just a few of the courses offered at UCF pertaining to Islamic Studies.

  • ASH3223 The Modern Middle East
  • ARA2200 Intermediate Arabic Language and Civilization I
  • ASH3222 Islam and Its Empires
  • ASH5227 The Arab-Israeli Conflict
  • CPO3403 Politics of the Middle East
  • CPO4710 Women in Comparative Politics
  • PHH3200 Medieval Philosophy
  • REL2300 World Religions
  • REL2300 World Religions
  • REL3363 Islam
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Featured Stories

What Is Ramadan?

April 06, 2022  UCF’s program director of Islamic studies discusses the month-long celebration and how to be respectful of those who partake in it.

Michael Muhammad Knight’s new book Muhammad’s Body published

October 12, 2020  Michael Muhammad Knight’s new book Muhammad’s Body has been published by the University of North Carolina Press. The book explores the current understanding of the Prophet Muhammad’s body as it relates to the construction of prophetic masculinity and authority.

Keeping up with Cyrus Zargar: UCF’s Endowed Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor in Islamic Studies

January 21, 2020  Cyrus Zargar has the goal to create connections through religion, social issues, and theology with students. Take a look into his recent accomplishments.

UCF Philosophy professor invested into endowed position

January 21, 2019  The Al-Ghazali Endowed Professorship will support professor Cyrus Zargar in continuing to grow the Islamic Studies program at UCF.

Islamic Studies by Philosophy professor book discussed at conference

January 15, 2019  Philosophy professor Cyrus Ali Zargar’s book “The Polished Mirror: Storytelling and the Pursuit of Virtue in Islamic Philosophy and Sufism” was discussed by a panel of experts at a recent Society for the Study of Muslim Ethics conference.

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