Campus & Community / Magazine Feature

Islam is multi-faceted, professor says

Professor Liyakat Takim wants everyone who’ll listen to know that Islam is not monolithic. On the contrary, he says, there are “different expressions and manifestations of Islam in America.”

Takim, an assistant professor in DU’s Department of Religious Studies, has research interest in the historical development of theological literature in Islam’s Classical period.

“Muslims have different interpretations of Islam. There is a reform movement within the American Muslim community,” he says. “There is a mystical, ecumenical movement within the Islamic tradition that we never hear about.” 

And to those calling for an end to all religion, Takim says that’s tantamount to saying all religious persons are fundamentalists. 

“We must recognize that fundamentalism exists in all major religions, that the fundamentalists are a small but vocal minority and that we need to engage them in order to establish and accentuate the tolerant and ecumenical message of all religions.” 

Takim says he sees religions as a path to the one God. 

“I firmly believe that religions have an indispensable role to play in the lives of human beings. In addition, religions inculcate a sense of spirituality that is lacking in modern societies.”

Takim will speak at DU’s alumni symposium Oct. 5–6. He welcomes the opportunity to transmit religion from the ivory towers to the local community, especially alumni. 

“I’ve always believed that scholars are the conscience of the community,” Takim says. “They’re the bridge between the texts and the people in the community.” 

The symposium is open to all alumni; the registration fee is $100 and includes attendance at both keynotes, faculty seminars and all meals during the event. Call 1-800-871-3822 for more information, or visitwww.du.edu/alumnisymposium for a complete schedule, descriptions of the presentations and online registration.

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