CISD Executive Director
Dr. Muhammad Shafiq is the executive director of the Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue (CISD), and is professor of Islamic and religious studies at Nazareth College. In addition, he is the Imam of the Islamic Center of Rochester, Inc. Dr. Shafiq holds a Ph.D. from Temple University, and a M.A. and B.A. from the University of Peshawar.
Dr. Shafiq has written over 40 articles and several books, including Interfaith Dialogue: A Guide for Muslims (International Institute of Islamic Thought: 2007). His most recent article addresses the level of interfaith dialogue between different interfaith groups in the Rochester area. "Abrahamic faiths: Models of Interfaith Dialogue in the United States (A Case Study of Rochester, New York)" was published in Peace-Building By, Between, and Beyond Muslims and Evangelical Christians, edited by Mohammed Abu-Nimer and David Augsburger, Lexington Books, 2009.
As executive director of the CISD, he was invited to participate in a conference on interfaith dialogue between Christians evangelicals and Muslims in Pasadena, CA. The conference, sponsored by the Fuller Theological Seminary and the World Call society, was held on April 16-19, 2009. The conference theme was "A Common Word Between Us and You," and brought together evangelical and Muslim scholars from many educational institutions, mission agencies and countries to enhance the work of justice and peace, and document areas of common interest between the two communities.
Dr. Shafiq's office is G-356, his telephone number is (585) 389-2963 and his email address is: cisd@naz.edu or mshafiq5@naz.edu.
Updates on the Executive Director:
* Muhammad Shafiq appeared on local NBC, ABC, and R.News appreciating President Obama's speech at Cairo, Egypt. The blog from R.news can be found here.
* Dr. Shafiq was featured in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle as a guest essayist writing
on the need to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. The article can be found here.
* A group of Israeli delegation sponsored by the State deparment consisting of Israeli Jews and Isareli Palestanians visited Nazareth College, Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue (CISD) on September 31, 09 and had discussion about CISD interfaith work as a model for peace building in Israel. Here are some group photoes with the delegation. cisd pictures;cisd pictures;cisd pictures
Muhammad Shafiq with students from Turkey
Summer 2009 Muhammad Shafiq at a Jewish-Muslim Picnic in Aug 09
* Dr. Shafiq particiapted in a conference at Andover Newton, Boston on January 9-11, 09 in which over 80 American Baptist and Muslim leaders particiapted. Dr. Shafiq presented on baptist Christains and Muslims Interfaith diaogue in joint programs of Loving their Neighbors for the Common Good . His paper was published in American Baptist Quarterly, Vol. XXVIII, Spring 2009, Number 1, PP.54-75
* Dr. Shafiq was a speaker in Brennan Memorial Interfaith Lecture on Sept. 30, 09 at St. Mary Church. The forum was held to denote the first anniversary of the death of Father Brennan, who was a major force in Rochester's interfaith movement. The topic was Abraham: A Common Heritage. For more information on the seminar, see: http://www.catholiccourier.com/tmp1.cfm?nid=78&articleid=109772
* Muhammad Shafiq was a member of the planning committee of the conference on Faith Based Initiatives, October 13 and 14, 2009, sponsored by the City of Rochester, New York. He spoke at the press conference on October 9, and was an MC of the Luncheon program on Oct. 14, 09.