Background
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PhD, Philosophy of Language, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, May 2013
MA, Philosophy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009
Diploma of High Studies in Philosophy, Damascus University, 2001
BA, Philosophy, Damascus University, 2000
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UNL's first annual Women’s and Gender Justice Award 2023
2023 Rev. Dr. Michael Combs Award for Scholars of Equality and Justice
Grant from the University of Michigan. Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum project (DISC)$9,000. Spring 2023
Collage of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Teaching Award for 2022
Grant from University of Michigan. Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum project (DISC), fall 2022, $14,371
UNL/DMLL summer student recruitment grant. $1500 “Why Arabic at UNL?” 2022
College of Arts and Sciences Research Impact and Engagement Grant. Fall 2021. $5000
UNL Center for Transformative Teaching Pedagogic Intervention Grant. $1000 for ARAB 391: Global Islam: Current Debates new course and curriculum development. Fall 2021
UNL/DMLL summer research grant. $500 for ARAB 391 Global Islam: Current Debates new course and curriculum development. Fall 2021
Collage of Arts and Sciences Engagement Award for 2021
Grant from University of Michigan. Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum project (DISC) to support UNL’s Arabic Studies Neighbors interfaith talk series, January, 2021. $750
Interpreting Muslim Tradition: Struggle for Democracy, Gender Equality, and Minority Protection. UNK, UNL, UNO Grant proposal. CO-PI, 2021
Forcibly Removed: Workshop and Symposia on the Lived Experiences of Displaced Persons. UNK, UNL, UNO Grant. CO-PI, $150,000, 2020-2021
Grant from University of Michigan. Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum project (DISC) to support the Big Arabic Day, March 5th, 2020
“Forcibly removed: Homeland Detachments of International and Indigenous Refugees”. UNL-UNK collaboration initiative, CO-PI, $ 20,000, 2019
Grant from University of Michigan. Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum project (DISC), fall 2019 and spring $26,733, 2019-2020
Grant from Middle East learning and cultural center (MELCC): Ames, Iowa to support the Big Arabic Day 2019
Grant from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the U.S: Fairfax, Virginia to support the Big Arabic Day, 2019. $650
Grant from University of Michigan. Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum project (DISC), spring, 2019. $15,843
ENHANCE College of Arts and sciences award for research, scholarship, and creative activities, spring 2018.$5000
Grant from University of Michigan. Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum project (DISC), spring, 2018.$10,000
UNL peer review project fellowship, faculty development program, 2016-2017. $1000. A link to the project portfolio
UNL Certificate of recognition for contributions to students, UNL parents association, 2017
UNL Certificate of recognition for contributions to students, UNL parents association, 2016
UNL peer review project fellowship, faculty development program, 2015-2016. $500. A link to the project portfolio
UNL parents’ association grant to support events at UNL, spring 2015. $150
UNL Convocations Committee award for funding a guest speaker, fall 2014-2015. $750
UNL peer review project fellowship, faculty development program, 2014-2015. $500. A link to the project portfolio
Pennsylvania STARTALK Fellowship for teachers of Arabic: A Professional Development Program for Teachers (Arabic), STARTALK Arabic Academy at Penn State, The training was covered by a fellowship that also covered ARAB 497G, Section 601: teaching Arabic, Pennsylvania, May 21 to July 21, 2014
UNL parents association grant to support events at UNL, spring 2014
UNL Certificate of recognition for contributions to students, UNL parents association, 2013
UNL Convocations Committee award for funding a guest speaker, fall 2013-2014. $750
Nominated for the outstanding graduate teaching assistant award by the department of Classics and Religious studies ,University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the year 2012-13
Damascus University scholarship for graduate study abroad, 2009
The Fulbright scholarship for the Master’s degree, 2007
Al Basel award for Academic Excellency for the year 1998,( Damascus University)
Al Basel award for Academic Excellency for the year 1997,(Damascus University)
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“Moving from male-centric fallacies to feminist interpretive authority” in Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, Indiana University Press. 39.2 (2023), 91–93.
“Niqula Ghabriyal, Abhath al-Mujtahidin” in Christian-Muslim Relations, vol. 18 The Ottoman Empire (1800-1914), (Leiden: Brill). Co-authored with Simon A. Wood, Classics and Religious Studies, 2021.
“al-Tamimi l-Dari and Al-sayf al-saqil” in Christian-Muslim Relations, vol.18, (Leiden: Brill). Co-authored with Simon A. Wood, Classics and Religious Studies, 2021.
Book review: Arab cooking on a prairie Homestead and Recollections from a Syrian Pioneer. In. Great Plains Quarterly. Lincoln: Center for Great Plains Studies. Vol: 38. No: 4. 2018.
“The Queen of Sheba: Would rethinking the Quranic story support female public leadership In Islam?”. In: Analize: peer-reviewed international journal. The Romanian Society for Feminist Analyses. Issue No: 7(21), 2016.
“The Quranic story of Mary: Does rethinking the text support women prophethood?”. In: Ar-Raniry: peer reviewed international journal of Islamic Studies. The State Islamic University (UIN). Vol: 3. No: 1. 2016.
“Scientific language credibility: a philosophical investigation”. In: Dirasat Wa Abhath: an international peer reviewed research journal. University of Djelfa. N: 20, Sep 2015.
“The individual-group transformation: a triple academic approach to understanding social human nature”. In: Jil: an international peer reviewed journal. Jil research center. ISSN 2311-5181. No: 11. September 2015.
“Defending backwards causation against the objection form the ignorance condition”. In: Disputatio: an international peer reviewed journal of philosophy. Philosophy center of the University of Lisbon. Vol: VI. No: 39. November 2014.
“Physicalism: a critical approach”. In: Jil: an international peer reviewed journal. Jil research center. ISSN 2311-5181. No: 3. October 2014.
“Psychological backwards causation”. In: Al-Manarah: peer reviewed journal. Al-al Bayt University. Vol: 20. No: 2. February 2014.
“Plato’s antifeminism: A new dualistic approach". In: E-logos. ISSN 1211-0442. University of Economics. Prague. 2012.
“Indexical Dependence”. In: Dirasat Wa Abhath: an international peer reviewed research journal. ISSN: 9751-1112. N: 12. University of Djelfa. Sep 2013.
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“Haircutting to Hijabs: How one story sparked a law to protect Nebraska students from hair and dress discrimination.” Race, Religion, and Social Justice Conference. Invited panel discussion. Tri-Faith Initiative, Omaha-NE June 6, 2024.
Invited talk: Why Does God Allow the Pain and Suffering of Children? A New Qur'anic Reading. The UNO Islamic Studies Program. Omaha-NE.May 11, 2023.
Invited Talk: A virtual journey through the Arab world, language, and culture. South Community College. April 11, 2023. A link to the talk.
Invited virtual lecture: Islam: A religion for our times. Lecture invited by Timothy Turnquist from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln/ History Department. Nov 1, 2022. Link to the lecture.
Invited virtual lecture: 15 years as an immigrant in Nebraska. Nebraska Wesleyan University, October 1, 2022. Link
Invited virtual lecture: Mary in the Qur’an. Penn State University. Sep 22, 2022.
Invited virtual lecture: What does it mean to read the Qur’an as a woman? Radboud University – Nijmegen – The Netherlands. April 28, 2022.
Invited virtual lecture: Marriage in the Qur’an. Hastings College. Texas. April 25, 2022: Link
Invited virtual talk: the 2022 American College Personnel Association International Colloquium session "Intersecting identities of international faculty: challenges and well-being”. A panel hosted by the Commission for Global Dimensions of Student Development. April 15, 2022: Link
Invited guest speaker. Dr. Max Mueller (Classics and Religious Studies). Nebraska University. See a link to the lecture: Why does not God stop evil people? A new book reading. March 31, 2022. Link
“Decoding the Egalitarianism of the Qur’an” an invited book reading event. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Monday Sep 13, 2021.
"Truth about 4:34 -- The Quran's Most Controversial & Misunderstood Verse". The Women's Mosque of America (Located in Los Angeles, CA). Friday, July 30th, 2021. A link to the talk.
The Queen of Sheba in Muslim tradition. An invited zoom lecture. University of Houston. Texas. 6/28/2021.
Role of Islam in Moroccan culture. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Invited Talk. 4/14/2021.
Rethinking (Q: 4:34): Ending 14 centuries of domestic violence held in the name of Islam. Kansas University MSA. Invited talk. 3/8/2021. Link
“Quran’s most controversial 4:34: a new interpretation”, DISC supplementary invited talk, Penn-State University, State-College, March 2, 2020.
Worship and wisdom. Invited talk. “Five myths about Islam” First Plymouth Church. Sep 4th, 2019. A link to the talk
“Teaching Islam vs. preaching Islam in the classroom: how to teach an ideology-free course on Religion”, DISC supplementary invited talk, Rutgers University, Digital Islamic curriculum, Rutgers University. New Brunswick, New Jersey April 11, 2019. A link to the lecture
DISC Round Table discussion, Mellon Foundation Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum, Chicago, May10, 2018.
“The Lost Gender Egalitarian Voice of the Qur’an”. Invited Talk. Digital Islamic curriculum, Rutgers University. New Brunswick, New Jersey, Feb 19, 2018.
“The Muslim Ban: Patriotism or Xenophobia”. Featured Guest. UNL Ethics Center. Lincoln. January 24, 2018.
“Faith and Feminism”. Panel discussion. Wesleyan University. Lincoln. October 24, 2017.
"Between Allah and Me (and Everyone Else)". A film screening and a panel discussion. The Mary Riepma Ross Media Center. Sep, 2017.
“Understanding Islam: what it's like to be Muslim in the Midwest”. An invited talk. Hastings College, French Memorial Chapel. Hastings. April 28, 2017. A link to the talk is here
“A reading and a reflection from the Story of Mary in the Quran”. An invited talk. Saint Paul United Methodist Church. Lincoln. April, 18, 2017.
“World Religions Panel: Wisdom from Diverse Voices”. Panel discussion. Heckman Auditorium. Doane College. Crete. April 6, 2017. A link to the panel is here
“Strength in Solidarity”. Keynote speaker. Women’s Week 2017: The 11th annual Women’s History Month Banquet, The University of Nebraska Women’s Center. Champion's Club. March 15, 2017.
“Syrian conflict and refugee crisis”. An invited talk. UNL Global studies Global Café. Nebraska union. Colonial A. January 26, 2017.
“The meanings of gratitude”. Keynote speaker. Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. South Street Temple. November 20, 2016.
“The Muslim Jesus”. An invited lecture. First- Plymouth. Nov 13, 2016.
“Women in the Quran”. An invited lecture. First- Plymouth: Mayflower Hall. October 29, 2016.
“Embrace diversity”. Panel discussion. Bryan Health College. Lincoln. October 24, 2016.
“What is the Quran?” An invited lecture. First- Plymouth: Mayflower Hall. September 28, 2016.
“Women in the Middle East: Hopes and challenges”. Women's Salad Supper. First-Plymouth. June 15, 2016.
“The Muslim Mary”. An invited talk. First-Plymouth. June 12, 2016.
“How do we get to Haven?” An invited talk. First-Plymouth East at Kloefkorn Elementary. June 12, 2016
“Women in Islam”. Nebraska citizens for science. Saint. Paul Church. April 21, 2016.
“Symposium: Understanding and Embracing Individuals from the Middle East”. Unitarian Church. Lincoln. March 17, 2016.
“Identifying Stereotypes”. Keynote speaker. Doan Collage. Multicultural Support Services Crete. March 14, 2016
“Women issues in the Arabic culture”. Heartland Association: Nebraska Conference. United Church of Christ. Spring meeting. March 13, 2016.
“Puddin”. Panel discussion. Child hunger in the community. The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. March 12, 2016.
“The Quran”. First Lutheran Church. Lincoln. Feb 9, 2016.
“A Syrian Immigrant's Experience”. The Faith Coalition of Lancaster County. The community heath endowment. Lincoln. Feb 2016.
“Syria: An ongoing journey into the unknown”. Featured discussion leader. UNL Ethics Center. Gaughan Multicultural Center. Jan 20, 2016.
“The Syrian Crisis”. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. Lincoln. Dec 2015.
“Syria and ISIS: The Human Cost”. Panel discussion. UNL: Nebraska Union Auditorium. Dec 2015.
“Perspectives in Feminism”. Panel discussion. Wesleyan University. Nov 19, 2015.
“Syria: ways to help”. An invited talk. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Lincoln, Nov 15, 2015.
On Muslim Christian relations”. An invited talk. Vine Congregational United Church of Christ. Lincoln. Nov 11, 2015.
“Refugee Migration Crisis”. Panel discussion. Union college. Sep 24, 2015.
“Jesus: A symposium”. Panel discussion. Doan College (school of graduate professional studies). July 16, 2015.
“Islam and Christianity”. An invited talk. First-Plymouth East. June28, 2015.
“Religions' Attitude towards the Material World”. Panel discussion. Union College. Ortner Center. April 6, 2015.
“Women of the Middle East”. Panel discussion. UNL women Center. March 17th, 2015.
“Women in Religion”. Panel discussion. Union College. Ortner Center. Feb 9, 2015.
“Women in religion”. Panel discussion. UNL women Center. March 17th, 2014
“How can I find God?” Symposium. Doane College. Lincoln. 2012.
“God, the Qur'an and the Prophet”. Symposium. Doane College. Lincoln. 2012
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RELG 181 Judaism, Christianity and Islam
ARAB 101 Beginning Arabic 1
ARAB102 Beginning Arabic 2
ARAB 101 Beginning Arabic 1 intensive 5 week summer session (in person)
ARAB 102 Beginning Arabic 2 intensive 5 week summer session (in person)
ARAB 101 Beginning Arabic 1 intensive 5 week summer session (online)
ARAB 102 Beginning Arabic 2 intensive 5 week summer session (online)
MODL 491 Advanced Arabic through media and culture
ARAB 201 Second year Arabic 1
ARAB 202 Second year Arabic 2
ARAB 303 Advanced third year Arabic 1
ARAB 304 Advanced third year Arabic 2
MODL398 Independent Study: “Arab women writers”
MODL298 Special topics: Exploring love, sexuality and femininity in the History of Arabic culture
MODL398 Independent study: “Readings in Arabic literature”
MODL 398 Women in the Qur’an
ARAB 288 Exploring love, sexuality and femininity in the History of the Arabic culture.
ARAB 306 Women the in Qur’an
RELG/ENG 342 The Qur’an.
ARAB 306 “Women in the Qur’an” as the first course taught at UNL through Nebraska’s Global Virtual Project. This course was offered by spring 2018 jointly with Nizwa University in Oman. The project is supported by the Aspen Institute’s Stevens Initiative and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. A link to the course
ARAB 306 “ Women in the Qur’an” as the first UNL Digital Islamic shared curriculum (DISC) course offered by UNL through DISC and received by Rutgers University, Spring 2018 and Spring 2019.This course was also received by Penn State University by Spring 2020.
WMNS 250 Sex and Gender around the Globe. Both in-Persona and online.
Honors 102 H “The science of you”.
ARAB 391 Global Islam: Current Debates.
ARAB 396 Independent study: Stories in the Qur’an.
ARAB 396 Independent study: Themes in the Qur’an.
Honors MODL 189 H “Arab intellectuals on love and gender” ACE 5. A link to a video
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An international interview in Arabic with SCOPE. The Saudi center for Philosophy and Ethics on Feminism in the Arab World. من أين و إلى أين : مدخل إلى الفلسفة النسوية العربية. Nov 21, 2024.
Referred to in The Daily Nebraskan, “Celebrating success of Arabic language at Lincoln Public Schools”, by Meghan O'Brien, March 3, 2023. Link to the article.
Interviewed and quoted, “Muslims in Lincoln finding unique opportunities during socially distant Ramadan” In: Journal Star. By Sadiyah Ali. May 2, 2020. Link to the article
Interviewed and quoted, “Spring semester class to help build a safe space for spirituality on campus” In: Daily Nebraskan. By Zach Wendling. Oct 23, 2019. Link to the article
Interviewed and quoted “UNL hosts annual ‘Big Arabic Day’ to celebrate Arabic language, culture” In: Daily Nebraskan. By Faith Idachaba. March 6, 2019. The article was shared by Arab America, March 7th. See both links: Link 1 & Link 2
Interviewed and quoted “Professor teaches course on love in Arabic cultures” In: Daily Nebraskan. By. Allyssa Gutierrez. Feb14, 2019 was shared by Arab America national website and Facebook page, Feb 14, 2019. Link
Interviewed and quoted. “Translating Love”. In: Daily Nebraskan Journal. VOL.CXVIII, Issue 6, Feb, 2019. By Allyssa Gutierrez. And in “Professor teaches course on love in Arabic cultures” In: Daily Nebraskan. By. Allyssa Gutierrez Feb14, 2019. Link
Interviewed and quoted. “Spoken-word poet Amal Kassir discusses violence in Syria”. In: Daily Nebraskan. By Sadiyah Ali. Sep 14, 2018. Link
Interviewed and quoted. “The Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum”. In: Tadween Publishin. By Tadween Editors. May 10, 2018. Link
Interviewed and quoted. “‘Women in the Qur’an’ class virtually connects UNL with University of Nizwa in Oman”. In: Daily Nebraskan. By Noah Johnson. Jan 19, 2018. Link
Interviewed and quoted. “A new virtual exchange course is pairing University of Nebraska–Lincoln students with cohorts in Oman for a semester-long exploration of women featured in the Qur’an.” In: Nebraska today. By: Global Strategies. Jan 11, 2018.
Interviewed and quoted. “UNL panelists discuss Western misconceptions of hijabs”. In: Daily Nebraskan. By Mia Azizah. Sep 18, 2017. Link
Interviewed and quoted. “Arabic studies program provides cultural opportunities for all students”. In: Daily Nebraskan. By Grace Gorenflo. Sep14, 2017. Link
Interviewed. “Hastings church hopes to bridge gap in religious divide”. In: NTV-NebraskaTV. By Rasheeda KabbaSunday. April 30th 2017. Link
Interviewed. “UNL Muslim professor tells her story”. In Miles’ man cave. By: Miles Rothlisberger. March 30, 2017. Link
Quoted. “UNL’s “The Big Arabic Day” emphasizes the realities of hijab”. In: Daily Nebraskan. By Elizabeth Rembert. Feb27, 2017. Link
Quoted. “Arabic conversation tables provide perspective and debunk stereotypes”. In: Nebraska mosaic. By Layla Younis, May 12, 2016. Link
Interviewed. “UNL professor receives green card after stressful wait”. In: the Daily Nebraskan. By Lindsay Esparrago. April 11, 2016. Link
Quoted. “Hasan tries to break down Muslim stereotypes in Doane is Love speech”. In: DOANLINE. By Cassandra Kennedy. Mar 16, 2016. Link
Interviewed. In: NewsNetNebraska. By Benjamin Schoenkin. Dec 11, 2015. Link
Quoted. “Understanding Islam: facts versus fiction”. In: 10 11TV. By: Lauren Scott. Dec 9, 2015. Link
Quoted. “Lincoln Woman: Hatred Toward All Muslims is Misguided”. In: 10 11TV. By Taylor Barth, Dec 09, 2015. Link
Quoted. “Lincolnites react to Donald Trump’s anti Muslim comments”. In: abc- 8KLKN-TV news. Dec 9, 2015. Link
Referred to. “Letter to the editor: Syrian refugees should be accepted, not feared”. In: the Daily Nebraskan. By Kayla “Ibtihaj” Simon. Dec 3, 2015. Link
Cited. “Open hearts, homes to refugees”. In: Journal Star letter 11/29. By Father Jerry Thompson, St. Mark's on the Campus Episcopal Church. Lincoln. Nov 28, 2015. Link
Interviewed. “Syrian family finds safe situation in Lincoln and hopes to stay”. In: Journal Star. By Zach Pluhacek. Nov 21, 2015. Link
Interviewed. “Syrian professor reacts to refugee opposition”. In: 10 11TV. By Taylor Brath. Nov 16, 2015. Link
Quoted. “Gov. Pete Ricketts stands by Syrian refugee resettlement statement”. In: abc- 8news, KLKN-TV. By Marlenia Thornton. Nov 17, 2015. Link
Quoted. “Could Syrian refugees make their way to Nebraska?”. In: abc- 8 news, KLKN-TV. by Reid Kilmer, Nov 16, 2015. Link
Quoted. “Ricketts joins governors calling to halt Syrian refugees”. In: Journal Star. By Zach Pluhacek, Nov 16, 2015. Link
Cited. “Panel Explores Role of Women in World Religions”. In: OUTLOOK. By Brenda Dickerson, Feb 11, 2015. Link
Quoted in The Daily Nebraskan, “Arabic conversation tables connect language, culture”, by Lauren Brown-Hulme, Oct 8, 2014. Link
Quoted. “Female religious leaders at UNL discuss role of women in different faiths”. In: The Daily Nebraskan. By Colleen Fell. Mar 18, 2014. Link
