Michigan State University Muslim Studies Program

10/04/2026

Please join us THIS Wednesday, October 7, 6:00-7:00pm, in Social Hall of the Islamic Center of East Lansing (920 S. Harrison Road) for a special presentation by Asma Uddin (MSU Law College), “Who Counts as a Believer? Religious Liberty in US Law and the Risks of Exclusion.” This event will include a signing of Prof. Uddin’s book, When Islam Is Not a Religion.

10/04/2026

Please join us tomorrow, Monday, October 5, 3:00-4:30pm, in room 303 of the International Center a panel entitled “Arabic Literature in the World,” featuring Brady Ryan (Univ. of Connecticut) and Stephanie Kraver (Univ. of Michigan).

10/02/2026

Friday at 3pm in room 303 of the Int’l Ctr: the award-winning Palestinian poet Ibrahim Nasrallah!

Please join us for the 6th annual Malcolm and Ann Kerr lecture next Friday with the distinguished Palestinian poet and writer, Ibrahim Nasrallah!

Friday, October 2, 3:00-4:30pm, 303 International Center & online (hybrid):
6th annual Malcolm & Ann Kerr Lecture by Palestinian poet & novelist Ibrahim Nasrallah

The 29th laureate of the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature, Ibrahim Nasrallah (b. 1954) was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1954 to Palestinian parents uprooted in 1948. Raised in the Al-Wehdat refugee camp, he began his career as a teacher in Saudi Arabia. A prolific poet, novelist, painter, and photographer, Nasrallah has published over forty works, including novels that form part of his celebrated Palestinian Comedy series. His writing, deeply rooted in themes of exile, identity, and resistance, has been translated into multiple languages, earning him international acclaim as one of the most important voices in contemporary Arab literature.

Hybrid format: In person (open to the public) and livestreamed. Free livestream registration at https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Epq7E_BpSoiy351SLckzVA.

Related Library Exhibit:

https://lib.msu.edu/node/2005

Ibrahim Nasrallah
Main Library 2 West
September 10, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Ibrahim Nasrallah, born in 1954 in Amman, Jordan, is a Palestinian writer and visual artist, best known for his series of novels The Palestine Comedies. He is the 2026 winner of the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, and will be giving this year’s Malcolm and Ann Kerr Muslim Studies Community Lecture at MSU on October 2, 2026.

This exhibit pairs excerpts of his writing, in both Arabic and English translation, with digital reproductions of his multimedia artworks, graciously provided by Nasrallah himself. Visit the exhibit to learn more about the role of writing and the arts in Palestinian identity, through the words of Ibrahim Nasrallah. Now on display in the Main Library, 2 West across from the Digital Scholarship Lab, through December.

Please contact Deborah Margolis [email protected] if you would like to arrange a class or group visit.

09/29/2026

09/25/2026

Please join us for the 6th annual Malcolm and Ann Kerr lecture next Friday with the distinguished Palestinian poet and writer, Ibrahim Nasrallah!

Friday, October 2, 3:00-4:30pm, 303 International Center & online (hybrid):
6th annual Malcolm & Ann Kerr Lecture by Palestinian poet & novelist Ibrahim Nasrallah

The 29th laureate of the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature, Ibrahim Nasrallah (b. 1954) was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1954 to Palestinian parents uprooted in 1948. Raised in the Al-Wehdat refugee camp, he began his career as a teacher in Saudi Arabia. A prolific poet, novelist, painter, and photographer, Nasrallah has published over forty works, including novels that form part of his celebrated Palestinian Comedy series. His writing, deeply rooted in themes of exile, identity, and resistance, has been translated into multiple languages, earning him international acclaim as one of the most important voices in contemporary Arab literature.

Hybrid format: In person (open to the public) and livestreamed. Free livestream registration at https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Epq7E_BpSoiy351SLckzVA.

Related Library Exhibit:

https://lib.msu.edu/node/2005

Ibrahim Nasrallah
Main Library 2 West
September 10, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Ibrahim Nasrallah, born in 1954 in Amman, Jordan, is a Palestinian writer and visual artist, best known for his series of novels The Palestine Comedies. He is the 2026 winner of the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, and will be giving this year’s Malcolm and Ann Kerr Muslim Studies Community Lecture at MSU on October 2, 2026.

This exhibit pairs excerpts of his writing, in both Arabic and English translation, with digital reproductions of his multimedia artworks, graciously provided by Nasrallah himself. Visit the exhibit to learn more about the role of writing and the arts in Palestinian identity, through the words of Ibrahim Nasrallah. Now on display in the Main Library, 2 West across from the Digital Scholarship Lab, through December.

Please contact Deborah Margolis [email protected] if you would like to arrange a class or group visit.

09/23/2026

The program’s evolution stems from a proactive effort to combat rising Islamophobia and address critical gaps in global education.

09/21/2026

Update regarding the “Islamic Mary” Muslim Journeys event: Although we prefer to have folks with us in person tomorrow at the International Center (which will fully resume normal on-campus functions), we understand some might not be able to make it. As such, we are now offering a Zoom option: https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_96H_wfvtSHqUwC2kMhFWOA.

📕 Book Discussion | “The Islamic Mary: A Muslim Journeys Book Discussion”

Explore the figure of Mary/Maryam across Christian and Islamic traditions with author Dr. Younus Y. Mirza, featuring a short lecture followed by small-group discussion.

📅 Tuesday, September 22
⏰ 1:00–2:20 p.m.
📍 MSU International Center, Room 303 or via Zoom: https://msu.zoom.us/.../register/WN_96H_wfvtSHqUwC2kMhFWOA.

Free and open to the public!

09/17/2026

Tomorrow (Friday) at 3:30pm in 303 Int’l Ctr!

Celebrating 20 years of the MSU Muslim Studies Program 🕌

The anniversary celebration will feature special guests and a keynote presentation by Dr. Mohammed Ayoob, the program’s founding coordinator and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at James Madison College at Michigan State University.

📅 Friday, September 18 | 3:30–5:00 p.m.
📍 MSU International Center, Room 303

Come celebrate two decades of Muslim Studies at MSU!

09/17/2026

Next Tuesday at 1pm in 303 Int’l Ctr!

📕 Book Discussion | “The Islamic Mary: A Muslim Journeys Book Discussion”

Explore the figure of Mary/Maryam across Christian and Islamic traditions with author Dr. Younus Y. Mirza, featuring a short lecture followed by small-group discussion.

📅 Tuesday, September 22
⏰ 1:00–2:20 p.m.
📍 MSU International Center, Room 303 or via Zoom: https://msu.zoom.us/.../register/WN_96H_wfvtSHqUwC2kMhFWOA.

Free and open to the public!