Habib University is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Marcia Hermansen to the prestigious Lady Fatima Endowed Faculty Chair in Women and Divinity—a groundbreaking role dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on women and divinity across religious traditions.
Habib University is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Marcia Hermansen to the inaugural 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮…
Posted by Habib University on Thursday 10 April 2025
A Trailblazing Scholar in Islamic Studies
Renowned globally for her expertise in Islamic Studies, interfaith dialogue, and comparative religion, Professor Hermansen’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for academic inquiry at Habib University. With her extensive research background in Religious Studies, History, Literature, and Philosophy, she will play a pivotal role in enriching the Comparative Humanities program, fostering dialogue, and shaping new perspectives on the intersection of faith and gender.
About Professor Marcia Hermansen
Currently serving as a Professor of Theology at Loyola University Chicago, Dr. Hermansen teaches courses on Islamic Studies and World Religions and directs the Islamic World Studies program. Holding a doctoral degree from the University of Chicago in Arabic and Islamic Studies, she has conducted scholarly research across the Middle East, South Asia, and Turkey, immersing herself in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and major European languages.
With numerous published works in Islamic Thought, South Asian Muslim communities, Muslims in America, and Women in Islam, her contributions continue to shape contemporary discourse on Islam and gender.
The Lady Fatima Endowed Faculty Chair in Women and Divinity: A Historic Milestone
This pioneering endowed Chair—the first of its kind globally—addresses critical gaps in understanding women’s roles in religion and society. Established by the Mr. Abbas D. Habib family in memory of (Late) Zainab Dawood Habib, the Chair is housed within Habib University’s Comparative Humanities program and aims to expand scholarly engagement with the feminine aspects of divinity across diverse religious traditions.
Advancing the Mission of Reparative Education
Aligning with Habib University’s vision of reparative education, the Chair seeks to heal, challenge, and expand traditional narratives through informed academic inquiry. By amplifying the often-overlooked contributions of women in religious and spiritual contexts, this initiative marks a transformative step toward reshaping perspectives on faith and gender worldwide.
Discover more about this historic appointment and the Lady Fatima Endowed Faculty Chair in Women and Divinity—a pioneering initiative in Women and Divinity Studies. Read the full story here: https://habib.edu.pk/HU-news/lady-fatima-endowed-chair-a-pioneering-initiative-in-women-and-divinity-studies/
