Online museum of Islamic art

In an effort to bridge the cultural gap that was created after 9/11, Queens College introduces a new professorship in Islamic studies and an online museum of Islamic art.
The professorship, sponsored by Professor Nasser D. Khalili, will focus specifically on the art of the Islamic people throughout time.
Khalili, an Iranian native and Queens College alum, donated $200,000 in a continuation of his life goal to promote harmony among nations. Khalili is the cofounder and chairman of the London based Maimonides Foundation which promotes peace and understanding among the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. He was knighted by two Popes for his efforts in encouraging world peace and is a Trustee of the City of Jerusalem.
“The reason I have worked so hard to put the culture of Islam on the map is because I have always believed that the real weapon of mass destruction is ignorance,” said Khalili. “Once you have tackled that, you have solved a lot of problems.”
The Arts of the Islamic World (AIW) online museum, is a gift from the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation.
According to Donald Rubin, the foundation is meant to “support the arts, meet urgent human needs, defend liberty and promote social justice.”
The web site offers a virtual tour of Islamic art pieces, all from Khalili’s personal collection. The college hopes that AIW will create a “dynamic online community” and erase the perception that Islam is unknowable.
The school takes pride in the fact that Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in America and over the years the college has placed more emphasis on diversity and acceptance.
Queens College has a center for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding and received international attention for its program The Middle East and America: Clash of Civilizations or Meeting of the Minds.
The college recently received a two year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to introduce a Middle Eastern course in the fall that will focus on language, literature, culture, religion and history. The new course will also give students an opportunity to study abroad in places such as Turkey and Qatar.
“Where there is understanding, there is respect,” said Maria Matteo, the Queens College Assistant Director of News Services, “and the new Middle Eastern Studies program will add to an already thriving cross-cultural dialogue both on and off campus.”
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation donated money to hire a professor in Middle Eastern Studies and another to teach Arabic.
Because of these advances, the college hopes to build a Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies.
“We are very grateful to Professor Khalili for his generosity and his pursuit of peace among people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, which aligns perfectly with the college’s priorities,” said James Muyskens, the Queens College president.
“The Nasser D. Khalili Professorship will allow us to attract a major scholar as the college, with Dr. Khalili’s assistance, moves toward establishing a chair in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies.”