Islamic Thought and Culture

Islamic Thought and Culture

Most of the papers presented under Muslim-Christian Encounter or Islamic Studies were by special invitation. We also received a number of papers which were unsolicited. In every case we tried to fit the offered papers into the program without jeopardizing the planned themes for sessions. However, the desire of the Steering Committee was to focus each session around a chosen topic so that speakers and audience could interact on a particular issue. Over the entire period of ten years of activity (nine annual meetings) there was perfect accord between the Steering Committee and the audience. Members of the audience repeatedly expressed their approval of, and gratitude for, the programs we had prepared. Their suggestions were acted upon, and they were happy to return to the AAR meeting year after year.The lslamic Studies Group has built up a small but growing and vigorous constituency. Though small by comparison to total AAR membership, this constituency is largely made of scholars who teach Islam either in one undergraduate course, or as a smaller part of an undergraduate survey course in the religions of the world. Already, a number of specialized lslamicists have been pulled toward the AAR because of our distinctive approach to comparative study. Moreover, the papers so far presented in the field of lslamic Studies have been of very high quality, and they are bound to improve in quality and quantity in the future. It is our considered judgment -and hence, our recommendation - that the Islamic Studies Group be upgraded to "section” and that it be given a chance to realize this fuller development in the coming decade. Normally, a "Group" Program unit would sit for an election of a new steering committee every five years, assuming a decision on the part of the AAR to continue same. However, the AAR Executive Director has asked the present Steering Committee to continue for one additional year. Elections will therefore be planned for the annual meeting, 1982.