Ramadan Lecture Series (part 2 of 3)

"One God, Many Communities" by M. Hakan Yavuz

Learn about Ramadan! This lecture series for all community members aims to spark interfaith conversations and inspire learning and understanding. Saturdays during Ramadan, Feb 21, 28, and Mar 7.

One God, Many Communities: Islam and the Abrahamic Faiths
This lecture examines Islamic theology and historical experience in relation to the other two major Abrahamic faiths, Judaism and Christianity, highlighting both shared foundations and enduring divergences. It explores how Islam understands God (tawḥīd), revelation, and prophecy in continuity with earlier monotheistic traditions, while also articulating distinctive theological claims. The lecture analyzes the task of believers across the three faiths—obedience to divine law, moral responsibility, and communal belonging—and compares how each tradition has organized social life through law, ethics, and authority. Finally, it examines Islamic perspectives on war and peace in comparative context, situating concepts such as jihad, just war, and peacemaking within their theological, legal, and historical frameworks. By combining doctrinal analysis with historical reflection, the lecture offers a nuanced understanding of how Islam has engaged Judaism and Christianity as both related and rival traditions across time.

M. Hakan Yavuz is a Professor of School of Public Affaits and Middle East Studies at the University of Utah, where he teaches courses on Islam, modern Islamic movements, and Middle Eastern politics. He is widely recognized for his scholarly work on Islamic political identity, transnational Islamic networks, and contemporary currents within Islam. Yavuz’s research explores how Islam interacts with modernity, civil society, and political change—especially through detailed studies of movements such as the Gülen movement and broader patterns of Muslim social and political mobilization. He has authored several influential books, including Islamic Political Identity in Turkey, Secularism and Muslim Democracy in Turkey, and Toward an Islamic Enlightenment: The Gülen Movement, reflecting his sustained engagement with Islam’s role in modern social and political life. His work combines historical depth with interdisciplinary analysis, contributing significantly to the study of Islam and its modern trajectories.

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