Palestinian Scholar Mohammed Dajani Named Institute Visiting Fellow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2012
CONTACT: press@washingtoninstitute.org, 202-230-9550
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Professor Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi, head of the American Studies Program at al-Quds University in Jerusalem and founder of the Wasatia movement of moderate Islam, has joined The Washington Institute as a visiting scholar, the organization announced today.
“Prof. Dajani is a leading Palestinian voice in fostering a culture of moderation in both religion and politics,” said Dr. Robert Satloff, executive director. "We are delighted to have him as a member of the Washington Institute team and look forward to his important contributions."
Prof. Dajani, a Jerusalem-born scholar and peace activist, holds doctorate degrees from the University of Texas and University of South Carolina. He is the founding director of the Jerusalem Studies and Research Institute, chair of the board of directors of the House of Water and Environment in Ramallah, and a member of the board of directors of the YMCA, Jerusalem. He has written extensively on Arab culture and politics, including an International Herald Tribune op-ed he co-authored with Dr. Satloff titled “Why Palestinians Should Learn About the Holocaust.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with The Washington Institute's remarkable group of scholars and am pleased to have the opportunity to fresh views and experiences into the Washington debate on the Middle East," said Prof. Dajani.
At the Institute, Prof. Dajani's research will focus on the potential to build moderate Muslim alternatives to more radical religious-based politics as well as lessons learned from his experience developing and implementing a successful program on American studies in a major Arab university.
About the Washington Institute: The Washington Institute is an independent, nonpartisan research institution that advances a balanced and realistic understanding of U.S. interest in the broader Middle East. Drawing on the research of its fellows and the experience of its policy practitioners, the Institute promotes informed debate and scholarly research on U.S. policy in the region.