Islamic studies find niche on Catholic college campuses

Published: 2006-11-28

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Universities have long offered courses in comparative religions, but the demand for classes specifically on Islam has increased in recent years. Catholic colleges are keeping pace by offering individual courses and seminars on Islam, advanced degree programs in Islamic studies and campus centers aimed to promote Muslim-Christian understanding. For Amir Hussain, a Muslim professor in theological studies who teaches Islamic courses at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, the experience has been a rewarding one. He said the classes are particularly beneficial to Catholic students, who make up about half the student population. "To be Catholic is to be informed by other religions" he told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview, adding that amid the diversity of Los Angeles students "need to be aware of other traditions." In his classes he is able to point out some of the connections between Catholic and Islamic traditions.

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