Josef (Yousef) Meri | Georgetown University (original) (raw)

Background: I have had the privilege of living in various cities around the world, including Amman, Berkeley (California), Binghamton (New York), Cairo, Cambridge (UK), Damascus, Doha, Jerusalem, London, Munich, and Oxford (UK). I am always keen to share my diverse experience living, teaching, and studying in these cities with students, colleagues, and others.

Current Affiliation: I’m currently serving as a non-resident Senior Fellow with the Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU) at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Research Focus: My research delves into the intricate dynamics of historical and contemporary interactions among Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities, extending beyond the Middle East to a global context.

Professional Journey: Over a span of 25 years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the religious, cultural, and societal elements that shape interfaith relations.

Contributions: My work aims to foster knowledge, dialogue, and cooperation among diverse groups, promoting peace and tolerance both regionally and globally.

Publications: I’ve authored and edited numerous books and articles, exploring various facets of interfaith relations such as religious pluralism, toleration, co-existence, pilgrimage, and the interplay of history and memory.

Awards: In 2014, I was honored with the Goldziher Prize in Jewish-Muslim Relations, awarded by Merrimack College, a Catholic University, in recognition of my scholarly efforts.

Teaching Experience: I’ve had the privilege of teaching and lecturing at several prestigious universities and institutions in the Middle East, Europe, and the US. Most recently, I served as a visiting and adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Qatar in 2023.

Mission: My mission is to cultivate mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration among followers of all faiths and spiritual paths through my research, teaching, and public engagement.

Teaching Focus: My teaching encompasses themes of identity and belonging, history and autobiography, memory, religious pluralism, interfaith and inter-spiritual relations, religious experience, the sacred and the secular, comparative religion, the history of religions, and applied research methodologies in the humanities and social sciences.

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