The Scholar's Journey
An academic exploration of Professor Emad Shahin's profound scholarship, influential career, and significant political challenges.
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Biography
Academic Profile
Emad Shahin, also known as Emad El-Din Shahin, born on August 24, 1957, is a distinguished Egyptian professor of political science. His scholarly pursuits are primarily focused on Comparative Politics, Democracy and Political Reform in Muslim societies, Islam and Politics, and the Political Economy of the Middle East. He currently serves as a visiting professor at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and is on leave from his position as a professor of public policy at The American University in Cairo.[1][3]
Educational Foundations
Professor Shahin's academic journey is marked by degrees from prestigious institutions. He earned his Ph.D. in 1989 from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed both his Master of Arts (1983) and Bachelor of Arts (1980) degrees at the American University in Cairo, establishing a strong foundation in his chosen fields.[1]
Esteemed Recognition
Throughout his career, Professor Shahin has been recognized for his significant contributions to academia. He is a recipient of the IIIT Distinguished Scholar Award, acknowledging his impactful research and scholarship. Furthermore, his dedication to teaching excellence was honored with the AUC Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award from the American University in Cairo, highlighting his commitment to nurturing future generations of scholars.[1]
Academic Journey
Global Affiliations
Professor Shahin's academic career spans numerous distinguished institutions across the globe, reflecting his international standing in political science and Middle Eastern studies. His recent affiliations include significant roles at:
Professorial Roles
His extensive teaching and research experience includes professorships and affiliations at several leading universities:
- Henry R. Luce Associate Professor of Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies (2009โ2012)
- Affiliations with the Kennedy School of Government[5] and the Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School (2006โ2009)
- Boston University
- George Washington University
- Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco
- The American University in Cairo (on leave)[3]
Scholarly Works
Publications Overview
Professor Emad Shahin is a prolific scholar, having authored, co-authored, and co-edited six books, alongside contributing to over 50 scholarly publications. His work is widely recognized for its depth and insight into the complexities of political and religious dynamics in Muslim societies.
Authored Books
His authored books provide foundational analyses of contemporary Islamic movements and historical perspectives:
- Political Ascent: Contemporary Islamic Movements in North Africa (Westview Press, 1998, paperback; 1997, hardcover)
- Through Muslim Eyes: Muhammad Rashid Rida and the West (International Institute for Islamic Thought, 1993, hardcover and paperback)
Edited & Co-authored Volumes
Professor Shahin has also played a pivotal role in shaping major reference works and collaborative studies:
- Editor in Chief, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Politics, 2 vols. (Oxford University Press, 2014)[2]
- Co-editor with John L. Esposito, The Oxford Handbook of Islam and Politics (Oxford University Press, 2013)
- Co-editor with Nathan Brown, The Struggle over Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa (Routledge, 2010)
- Co-Author, Islam and Democracy: Toward an Effective Citizenship [in Arabic] (Street Law and Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, 2005)
- North Africa section editor, Modernist Islam: A Source Book, Kurzman, Charles, ed. (Oxford University Press, 2002)
Select Articles & Chapters
His extensive list of articles and book chapters delve into specific regional and thematic issues:
- "The Egyptian Revolution: The Spirit of Tahrir Square," Journal of the Middle East and Africa, 2012.
- "Political Parties in Egypt: Alive, but not Kicking," in Political Parties and Democracy: The Arab World, 2010.
- "Democratic Transformation in Egypt: Controlled ReformsโฆFrustrated Hopes," in The Struggle over Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa, 2010.
- "Political Islam in Egypt," in Political Islam and European Foreign Policy, 2007.
- "Muhammad Rashid Rida's Perspectives on the West as Reflected in Al-Manar," The Muslim World, 1989.
Public Engagement
Op-Ed Contributions
Professor Shahin actively contributes to public discourse through his insightful opinion pieces, published in leading international newspapers and journals. His analyses offer critical perspectives on Middle Eastern politics and global affairs.
Broadcast Appearances
His expertise is frequently sought by major broadcast media outlets, where he provides commentary and analysis on pressing political issues. These appearances underscore his role as a public intellectual and a leading voice in his field.
Political Challenges
The "Grand Espionage" Case
In January 2014, Professor Shahin became embroiled in a significant political controversy in Egypt, accused in a case widely known as "Grand Espionage." The charges leveled against him were severe, including espionage, leading an illegal organization, providing a banned organization with information and financial support, calling for the suspension of the constitution, preventing state institutions from performing their functions, harming national unity and social harmony, and causing to change the government by force. Professor Shahin vehemently refuted all these allegations in a public statement.[14]
International Academic Solidarity
The charges against Professor Shahin prompted a strong wave of international support from the academic community. Numerous scholars, academic institutions, and organizations rallied to his defense, expressing deep concern and condemning the allegations. Notable supporters included:
- The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA)[17]
- The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences[18]
- The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University[19]
- The International Steering Committee of the Community of Democracies[20]
An open letter signed by over 40 prominent scholars, including Joel Beinin, Nathan J. Brown, Larry Diamond, John L. Esposito, and Alfred Stepan, explicitly stated that the charges were "so utterly alien to his character as to lack any credibility whatsoever."[23]
Death Sentence & Global Outcry
The situation escalated dramatically on May 16, 2015, when a Cairo court sentenced Professor Shahin to death in absentia, alongside former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy and 100 others. This provisional sentence was confirmed on June 16, 2015, leading Professor Shahin to issue another powerful statement reiterating his innocence.[21][22]
This verdict triggered widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and academic bodies globally. MESA issued another letter protesting the sentence, and the Committee of Concerned Scientists described it as "retaliation for Shahinโs pro-democracy stance."[24][25] The case garnered significant media attention in the US and internationally, with Professor Shahin giving interviews to outlets like Vice News, AFP, and Al Jazeera English, highlighting the severe implications for academic freedom and political dissent.[26][34]
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