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EIU announces Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative at Booth Library

Gift honors family legacy while expanding student learning, academic inquiry, and community dialogue

Dr. Shakir and campus partners from EIU’s Booth Library, Muslim Student Organization, and University Advancement showcase the new Islamic Perspectives Collection. From left to right: First-Year Experience/Student Success Librarian and Assistant Professor Amy Odwarka; Secretary of EIU’s Muslim Student Association Mariam Nizami; Professor of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation Dr. Hasan Mavi; Dr. Shakir; Dean of Booth Library Brian W. Keith; and Vice President for Advancement Mindy Spencer.

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University’s Mary J. Booth Library has announced the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative, a new academic and cultural initiative made possible through a generous gift from Dr. Abdur-Rahman Shakir. The initiative honors the legacy of Shakir’s parents, Dr. Hassan and Zahida Shakir, by creating enduring opportunities for students, faculty, and the broader community to learn about Muslim communities and histories, while exploring shared values and common ground across cultures and religious traditions.

Centered in Booth Library, the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative brings together a curated collection, visiting scholars, curricular partnerships, student events, and public programs that support understanding and student learning and faculty scholarship across disciplines.

“This initiative honors my parents’ lifelong commitment to education, service, and understanding across difference,” said Dr. Abdur Shakir, who serves locally as the medical director of the . “By placing these resources within the library, we are creating a living space for learning one that invites students to explore Islamic perspectives thoughtfully, ask meaningful questions, and engage with ideas that connect cultures rather than divide them.”

At the heart of the initiative is the Dr. Hassan and Zahida Shakir Collection, a growing library anthology developed collaboratively with faculty, students, and librarians. The collection supports teaching and research in religious studies, history, philosophy, and related fields, with a bibliographic focus designed to include additional perspectives on the roles and contributions of Islam and Muslim communities in areas of art, science, and family life.

The initiative is guided by a participatory and interdisciplinary approach, incorporating input from EIU’s Muslim Student Association and faculty across multiple departments, reflecting a broader goal to foster learning grounded in dialogue, curiosity, and shared inquiry for students and community members inside and beyond the classroom.

“Abdur Shakir’s vision-driven gift has allowed us to think not only about what we acquire, but also about how we steward ideas, relationships, and opportunities for learning,” said Booth Library Dean Brian W. Keith. “The library is always delighted to connect students and faculty through scholarship and shared contributions to community and belonging, and this initiative exemplifies that role.”

A key component of the Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative is a visiting scholar program designed to bring leading voices in Islamic studies and public scholarship to EIU’s Charleston, Illinois-based campus. The inaugural visiting scholar, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Khalil, Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Muslim Studies Program at Michigan State University, will visit EIU during the Spring 2026 semester. Dr. Khalil’s visit will include a public lecture hosted at Booth Library, classroom engagement with students, and conversations with faculty and student organizations. His scholarship and public-facing work reflect the initiative’s emphasis on connecting academic study with lived experience and contemporary dialogue. His talk will focus on the long and rich history of Muslim people in the Midwest.

“Having the opportunity for other professors to come to EIU gives a great reputation for small RSOs that are not well known, like the Muslim Student Association,” said Mariam Nizami, a junior Biological Sciences/Pre-Medicine major and secretary of EIU’s Muslim Student Association. “It is great that more Muslim professors from big colleges who have done amazing things related to our culture can come here and give other students an opportunity to be exposed to the Islamic culture.”

In addition to the visiting scholar program, Spring programming associated with the initiative will include a film screening, interfaith discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities developed in collaboration with various campus partners. While these events mark an important moment for the initiative, they are part of a broader, evolving academic framework anticipated to expand in future years. Upcoming programming will explore additional themes and scholarly perspectives, building on the foundation established through the collection and early collaborations.

Jay Gatrell, President of Eastern Illinois University, noted, “The support of our amazing donors makes it possible for our students and community to have access to world-class scholars and resources at EIU and Booth Library. I am truly grateful to Dr. Shakir’s leadership and commitment to the success of our students, enhancing resources for our faculty and staff, and expanding EIU’s cultural connectivity across our Central Illinois communities.”

Since opening as a dedicated library in 1950, Eastern Illinois University’s Booth Library has become a cornerstone of academic research and community engagement, serving not only EIU but also students, educators, and residents throughout Central Illinois. For more information about Booth Library or EIU’s Shakir Islamic Perspectives Initiative, contact Booth Library Exhibits & Events Coordinator Diane Highland at dehighland@eiu.edu or by calling (217) 581-6061.

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit  or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.