Center for Islamic Studies Opening Day on November 6, 2007

The Center for Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union

Welcome from the Center for Islamic Studies

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. With the academic and religious resources to offer a distinctively interfaith and interdisciplinary approach, the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) founded the Center for Islamic Studies (CIS) in 2007. The center’s purpose is to build an academic base to help scholars and students of many faiths understand Islam as a living world religion. The center emphasizes interaction among contemporary Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities.

In cooperation with several GTU member schools, the center offers introductory and advanced courses in Islamic history, theology, philosophy, culture, arts, and religious practice. It strengthens GTU ties with departments at the University of California, Berkeley — such as African Diaspora Studies, Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, South and Southeast Asian Studies, and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies — that intersect with the study of Islam.

CIS sponsors conferences, symposia, workshops, and research projects to build bridges of understanding across religions and cultures and to foster scholarly exchange.

CIS serves as a liaison with local Muslim communities and study centers, sharing resources in homiletics, interfaith scholarship and dialogue, pastoral psychology and counseling.

"At the GTU, pluralism is not only a topic for scholarship, but a method of practice, actively engaged through intercultural and interfaith dialogue and social action. I can’t think of a better environment to advance the study of Islam and the role of Muslims in public life.”

— Munir Jiwa, Director of Center for Islamic Studies

Meet the faculty

Visit CIS at:

2452 Virginia Street, Berkeley, CA (behind the GTU Bookstore)
We welcome visitors!

Contact Information:

The Center for Islamic Studies
Graduate Theological Union
2400 Ridge Road
Berkeley, CA 94709
Telephone: 510/649-2562
E-mail: islam@gtu.edu