Professor Shafique N. Virani (PhD, Harvard University) researches Twelver and Ismaili Shi‘ism, Quranic studies, Islamic history, philosophy, mysticism, and pluralism, and Muslim literature in Arabic, Persian, and South Asian languages. He has authored books, created a documentary film, developed multimedia content, presented a TEDx Talk titled “Islamophobia and the Clash of Ignorance,” registered an invention, proposed a Unicode Consortium initiative to preserve an endangered language, contributed entries to the Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Encyclopaedia of Religion, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles, many available on Academia.edu.
Dr. Virani’s work has been translated into over 20 languages and has earned funding of over $7 million. He has received awards from organizations such as the Middle East Studies Association, the Foundation for Iranian Studies, Farabi International, the British Society for Middle East Studies, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as a Canadian prime minister and two Iranian presidents. The American Academy of Religion recognized him with its highest teaching award, and the University of Toronto welcomed him as a President’s Teaching Academy member. He has also been recognized for providing mentorship opportunities to his students, many of whom have gained recognition for their theses and have established careers at prominent institutions.
Professor Virani has been a faculty member at Harvard University, Zayed University, and the University of Toronto, has held senior leadership roles, and earned the title of Distinguished Professor of Islamic Studies. A dedicated global volunteer, he currently works to create opportunities for underprivileged children in East Africa. He has also provided consulting services for various projects with Cirque du Soleil, the History Channel, Lord Cultural Resources, Google, the Unicode Consortium, several governmental organizations, and NGOs. Recognized by UNESCO as “a visionary," he was honored for his commitment “to the cause of extending the frontiers of knowledge and the welfare of humankind.”
