LunaSea

Understanding Islamic Finance by Muhammad Ayub was the most thorough, although everything is presented theoretical without current examples of practices in this field. On the otherhand, An Intrdoction to Islamic Finance by Iqbal and Mirakhour is clear about how Shariah compliance works today and what it yeilds. These are the only two I've read thus far, but both were helpful for different reasons. Funny you mention Aristotelian Islamic Philosophy- are you referring to Avicenna or al-Farabi? They are two I am interested in studying in grad school!

While I keep my writing as academic and detached as possible, I can't research a particular faith without finding myself somwhat attracted to it. When I studied Vajrayana Buddhism I wanted to fly to Tibet; when I studied Orthodoxy I wound up in a class learning to paint Byzantine Icons; when I studied Sufism I attended dhikrallah in NYC. It may not be the most professional approach in academia, but it certainly is a deterrent from Orientalism (that is, Edward Said's definition of it, meaning a Eurocentric prejudice). I still paint Icons, and I find Orthodoxy quite interesting, particularly its roots and the events and groups surrounding the Council of Nicea.

The only school there that might be tricky is Harvard Divinity School, since they are the most selective. But your experience there and your versatile academic background will help you. Even Yale Divinity is within your reach. Good luck. Godspeed.

Nejjad- I studied Sufism as an undergrad, and while it was an academic pursuit, I fell in love with their poetry and practices. My honors thesis focused on Sufism's shift from ascetic to ecstatic mystic concepts in 8th century Basra. It is a beautiful tradition and I wish more people in the US knew of the mystic side of Islam.

I'm going to differ here. The majority of posts have advised to stay in the Philosophy field, and while you would undoubtedly be a "Lone Wolf" in a PolySci setting, that may work in your favor. You would stand out, regardless of whether you chose a political career or an academic one after your degree.

Two years will not hurt you, rather, it may even help you. Many graduate schools explicitly discuss that the majority of their students are adults with life experience as opposed to a majority of 22 year olds who never left "the scene." I, too, have a degree in Religion and want to pursue a Masters in Islamic studies. I couldn't afford it initially, so I joined the working world. Like others mentioned before, use the time to polish your application and keep in contact with your professors, but also try to make your job somehow become "related experience." Right now I work for a bank, and while that seems like it has nothing to do with the field, "Islamic finance" and a need for understanding Shariah-compliant banking has become popular. My work there as an analyst will *hopefully* supplement my resume as it is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Islam.

I was a Protestant that went to Catholic school. The priest ostracized me and during Mass, I, along with a Jewish student and a Hindu student, sat in the back of the Church and could not participate. Our conversations about our love of faith and disdain for dogma is what catalyzed my interest in the academic side of religion. I'm still very spiritual, but not quite devout.

Thanks so much for your help! Most of the "insight" I've received has been from those who have not been to Egypt, so making a decision has been difficult. I have a question about travel. If I am dressed appropriately, and can speak basic Arabic, would it be unwise for me to travel to Alexandria for a weekend by myself? Or even travel elsewhere in the Middle East or North Africa? Hopefully I'll have made friends who would want to travel with me! But I am trying to prepare myself for how limited I will/will not be in my independant endeavors.

I might be! I accepted their offer for MSc in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. (Though I am still waiting to hear from one more school and might rescind) I'm American but I've been to Scotland many times and love the city. What do you plan to study?

I haven't heard yet either. It must be this week- the suspense is killing me!

Thank you!

You also have the right idea in looking at British schools as well. As an undergrad, my professor told me that some of the finer institutions in the UK may admit me more easily than a school of equal prestige in the US. Many universities over there are in need of more funding, and more international students mean more full-price tuition payers.

Does anyone know when we hear back from Columbia for their Liberal Studies Masters? I applied in February but they pushed their deadline back to APRIL 1ST! Is it rolling admissions or will I probably not hear from them until August?

I got accepted into the American University in Cairo for a Master's in Middle Eastern Studies. I've never been to Egypt, but I look forward to living in the Middle East for the first time. Many people have told me cautionary tales because I am female, I'll be moving there alone, and can only speak basic Arabic, but this doesn't seem to trouble me. Can anyone give me first hand accounts of the city or the school? Shukran.