Leaders of Harvard’s Middle Eastern Studies Center Will Leave

Harvard University’s Middle Eastern Studies Center is facing a major shakeup as its two long-time leaders, Professor Ali Asani and Professor Malika Zeghal, have announced that they will be stepping down from their roles. The news comes as a surprise to many in the academic community, as both professors have been instrumental in shaping the center’s reputation as a leading hub for Middle Eastern studies.

Professor Asani, who is the Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and a renowned scholar of Islamic studies, has been at Harvard for over 30 years. He has published numerous books and articles on Islam and Muslim cultures, and has been a vocal advocate for greater understanding and appreciation of the diversity within the Muslim world. Professor Zeghal, who is the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Professor of Contemporary Islamic Thought and Life, has also been a key figure in the center, focusing her research on modern Islam and the politics of the Middle East.

The departure of these two esteemed scholars will undoubtedly leave a void at the center, but it also presents an opportunity for new leadership and fresh perspectives to take the helm. Harvard has already begun the search for their replacements, with the hope of finding individuals who can continue to build on the center’s legacy of excellence in Middle Eastern studies.

In a statement announcing their decision to step down, Professors Asani and Zeghal expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to lead the center and their pride in the work that has been accomplished during their tenure. They highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue and understanding between different cultures and religions, and emphasized the need for continued engagement with the complex issues facing the Middle East today.

As the search for new leadership begins, the Harvard community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see who will take the reins of the Middle Eastern Studies Center. The university has a long history of attracting top scholars in the field, and there is no doubt that the center will continue to be a vibrant hub for research, teaching, and dialogue on the Middle East for years to come.

In the meantime, Professors Asani and Zeghal will be sorely missed by their colleagues and students at Harvard. Their dedication to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Middle East has left an indelible mark on the university, and their departure marks the end of an era for the Middle Eastern Studies Center. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors, and look forward to seeing the new directions that the center will take under its future leadership.