Ongoing Research Activities
Kâtip Çelebi Ottoman Map and Cultural Exhibition
From October 19 to October 31, 2009, CIMES is going to host the Kâtip Çelebi Ottoman Map and Cultural Exhibition.
Student Survey Research Project
California State University, San Bernardino’s (CSUSB) Center for Islamic and Middle East Studies (CIMES) with administrative support from international universities produces major research findings that address the views and challenges facing Muslim college students worldwide. Consistent with the vision of “Respect through shared understanding”, CIMES views these students as not only the next generation of leaders in their respective communities but also as important voices in assessing international higher educational standards. Understanding the students’ thoughts and perceptions is one of many variables in our efforts to comprehend and, perhaps, predict the nature of further global and cultural relations. CIMES efforts have contributed to comprehensive reporting and analysis from universities in Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans, and South Africa. The survey covered the following seven general areas of inquiry: demographic information, academic courses and student teacher preference, non-academic and social life, individual traits, personal life goals and beliefs, world views, and preferred college offerings.
The results gathered to date have revealed that a majority of Muslim college students shared similar views and goals. For example, the data indicated that students' believed their personal lives are largely positive. Additionally, most students believed that their university experiences have prepared them for a stable future. Notably, they were satisfied with the influence Islam has on modern life. The series will continue to expand into Europe, South East Asia, and the Middle East.
BA in Arabic Language, Literature and Culture approved
The Pilot BA in Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture has been approved at the California State University, San Bernardino. Students can add a minor, certificate, and B.A. in a respective discipline with Arabic. Please, contact Dr. Dany Doueiri (ddoueiri@csusb.edu) for more information.
Çihânnüma
The Center for Islamic and Middle East Studies (CIMES) and noted scholar Dr. Bekir Karliga, Director for the Civilization Study Center located on the campus of Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul will produce the first English translation of Çihânnüma. Çihânnüma is a broad historical record written in the 17th century by Ottoman scholar Kătip Çelebi. It is the first known written geographical account of “the new world” produced by the Islamic world. The important scholarly contribution has been recognized as critical to illuminating the rich cultural and scholarly contributions from Ottoman history. As such, historical scholars credit Çelebi as one of the most influential and progressive scholars of his time. UNESCO and the international community are commemorating the 400th anniversary of Çelebi’s birth (1609-1657) during UNESCO’s 2008-2009 biennium.
Kadir Topbas, the mayor of Istanbul referred to Çelebi as “one of the most prominent representatives of Turkish, Ottoman, and Islamic science and thought…” About Çihânnüma, Mayer Topbas has said that Çelebi’s work has been one of the reference books which researchers studying Islamic science and thought never leave aside.
CSUSB/CIMES to Participate in Major Documentary Project
A preliminary protocol was signed on January 25, 2008 in Ankara as an affirmation of the desire for all signatories (President Albert Karnig, Ibrahim Sahin, Director General, Turkish Radio and Television, John Milius, and Deniz Ulke Aribogan, President, Bahcesehir University) to work together within the framework of the documentary project titled “The River Flowing Westward.”
Dr. Bekir Karliga, noted Turkish Islamic scholar and Director, Civilization Studies Center, Bahcesehir University, is the primary author of the twenty-episode documentary. Dr. Ralph Salmi, Director Center for Islamic and Middle East Studies, is serving as the co-author and, with the cooperation and input of CSUSB faculty, will edit and refine the historical literature for preparation and further discussion with John Milius, the well-known Hollywood screenwriter, producer, and director (Apocalypse Now, Dirty Harry, “The Wind and the Lion,” “Flight of the Intruder,” “Conan the Barbarian” and the recent HBO series “Rome.”) Milius has and continues to be a good friend of CSUSB and has agreed to serve as the Executive Director of the project which will be filmed and produced in Turkey in six languages.
CIMES and the International Institute for Research and Analysis are pleased to host Dr. Karliga for the entire month of May. He can be contacted through the CIMES offices at (909) 537-3778 or at the International Institute for Research and Analysis offices at (909) 338-0108.
