Omid Safi

Omid Safi is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he specializes on Islamic mysticism (Sufism), contemporary Islamic thought, and medieval Islamic history. He received his PhD from Duke University (2000). Before coming to UNC he was an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. Safi is the Chair for the Study of Islam at the American Academy of Religion. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Pluralism Project at Harvard University. His book The Politics of Knowledge in Premodern Islam, dealing with medieval Islamic history and politics, was published in 2006. His translation and analysis of Rumi’s biography is forthcoming from Fons Vitae, and his book Memories of Muhammad will be published in Winter of 2009 by HarperOne.

Safi has been at the forefront of the progressive Muslim debate. His book Progressive Muslims (2003) contains a diverse collection of essays by and about “progressive” Muslims. He was one of the co-founders of the Progressive Muslim Union (PMU-NA). Safi resigned from PMU in 2005, but he continues to support progressive interpretations of Islam outside of PMU.

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Islam/Middle East

Memories of Muhammad

Why the Prophet Matters

Talking Points

Omid Safi is a representative of a new generation of Muslim-American scholars who are interested in redefining Islam in a more progressive manner. He is a rising scholar of Islam and can speak in depth about the religion from its history, present, challenges, and positive devotions.

Safi has been at the forefront of the progressive Muslim debate. His book Progressive Muslims (2003) contains a diverse collection of essays by and about “progressive” Muslims. He was one of the co-founders of the Progressive Muslim Union (PMU-NA). Safi resigned from PMU in 2005, but he continues to support progressive interpretations of Islam outside of PMU.

Description

In this new biography, Omid Safi, a rising scholar of Islam, presents a portrait of Muhammad that reveals his centrality in the devotions of modern Muslims around the world.

In reaction to Islamic extremists, the majority of Muslims have spent much time emphasizing their monotheism (to fit in with Jews and Christians) and participating in interfaith dialogues (looking at what they have in common with Biblical figures) that what is particular about the Islamic tradition hasn’t really gotten conveyed. In addition, so many of the controversies today (Salman Rushdie, Danish Cartoon controversies) are about the Prophet, yet very few non-Muslims seem to understand why and how Muhammad fits into Islam.

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