News » Archives » August 2022

This summer, Charles W. Powell and Emilia Justyna Powell taught a summer study abroad course that challenged students to learn about atrocities such as genocide and crimes against humanity—including the Holocaust—in the context of international law, and to explore the role religion has played in international law.

Read More about On Poland trip, students reflect on religion, international law, and violence

In June, Ansari Institute faculty member Alexander Hsu attended “The Imagination and Imaginal Worlds in the Mirror of Buddhism,” a two-week summer institute offered through the National Endowment for the Humanities. The gathering, held at Mangalam Research Center in Berkeley, Calif., featured a mix of scholarly presentations, Q&A with faculty, and breakout sessions, all built around the concepts of Buddhism and imagination. Here, Hsu reflects on the experience, and the inspiration he drew from it as a scholar of Buddhism—and as a teacher.

Read More about Exploring Buddhism and the imagination: A conversation with faculty member Alexander Hsu

In this conversation, Office Coordinator Erica Loding shares how her faith and focus on human rights connect with her work at the Ansari Institute. She also discusses the opportunities her role provides to help people from different faith traditions come together in dialogue to promote human flourishing.  

Read More about A conversation with Ansari Office Coordinator Erica Loding

"At the graveyard, while I was praying in my heart for the forgiveness of those that had passed away, I was reminded of our belief that those who are martyred in Islam are considered to have a guaranteed route to Jannat (heaven). And, I thought to myself, those who died did indeed die tragically, but those who survived experience the real test. How do you begin to deal with the loss of multiple family members? How do you begin to think about forgiveness? And for those who are aggressors: How do you even forgive yourself for the misguided actions you might have taken?"

Read More about Reflections in Srebrenica