Maryam – The Muslim Mary: A Symbol of Devotion, Virtue and Hope

2 December, 2024

We are deeply honoured to welcome Dr Zeyneb Sayilgan, Muslim Scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS), USA, to lead the International Interfaith Reading Group session on Womanhood in Interfaith Contexts.

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Here are more details about this fascinating event.

Title: Maryam – The Muslim Mary: A Symbol of Devotion, Virtue, and Hope

Abstract: St. Mary or Maryam is venerated by Christians and Muslims around the world as a devout human being, woman and mother of Jesus. In her presentation, Dr Sayilgan will examine the Islamic portrayal of Mary as described in the Qur’an and the holy narrations of Prophet Muhammad – both normative sources for Muslims. She will identify similarities and differences that emerge in the Muslim depictions of Mary. By presenting examples of Islamic art and architecture, Dr Sayilgan will highlight St. Mary’s importance in Muslim life. Finally, Dr Sayilgan will share how she as a Muslim woman and mother draws wisdom, guidance and inspiration from this religious figure for her own life.

Speaker’s Biography: Dr Zeyneb Sayilgan is the Muslim Scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore (ICJS) where her research centers around Islamic theology and spirituality, Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and migration. Her personal experience of growing up in Germany as a child of Kurdish Muslim immigrants from Türkiye informs her academic work and engagement in interreligious learning. She has a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University, a Master’s degree from Hartford Seminary in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, and a B.A/M.A. in Islamic Studies and Public Law from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. She co-edited The Companion to Said Nursi Studies (2018) and Faithful Neighbors: Christian-Muslim Vision & Practice (2016). Dr Sayilgan’s research engages the theological ideas of the Muslim theologian Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960). She is the host of On Being Muslim: Wisdom from the Risale-i Nur. Her work has appeared in scholarly and popular journals like DIALOG, Religion News Service, Covenant, U.S. Catholic, and German media outlets like MIGAZIN and Islamische Zeitung.