Professor of Islamic Studies
Shafique N. Virani
About Professor Virani
Professor Shafique Virani is an award-winning author and internationally recognized public speaker who has addressed people from over 50 countries and audiences of over 15,000. He has served on the faculty at Harvard, Zayed and the University of Toronto, including in senior leadership positions, and his research has received many international awards. An avid volunteer around the world, he has consulted for Cirque du Soleil, the History Channel, Lord Cultural Resources, Google, and numerous governmental and other organizations. Describing him as “a visionary,” the United Nations honored him for dedicating his efforts “to the cause of extending the frontiers of knowledge and the welfare of humankind.”
“An ideal balance of yin and yang, Shafique is the epitome of the scholar-teacher. An internationally recognized academic, he has received prestigious global awards for his scholarship, earned millions of dollars in peer-reviewed grants, been honored by UNESCO, and received accolades from presidents and prime ministers.”
Professor Deep Saini, President, Dalhousie University
“Professor Virani’s contributions as a scholar and a teacher, and the humanitarian educational work he does worldwide serve as an inspiration for all who are fortunate to interact with him and set an impressive example for a life committed to promoting human rights, action against discrimination, and cultivating values of equity and diversity.”
Professor Sarianna Metso, University of Toronto
“He is a recognized global leader in education, who has transformed the learning experiences of students, the teaching practices of colleagues, and the pedagogical structures of institutions.”
Professor Amy Mullin, Dean, University of Toronto
“Professor Virani’s contributions as a scholar and a teacher, and the humanitarian educational work he does worldwide serve as an inspiration for all who are fortunate to interact with him and set an impressive example for a life committed to promoting human rights, action against discrimination, and cultivating values of equity and diversity.”
Professor Gage Averill, Dean, University of British Columbia
“Shafique Virani’s insights into Islamic history, religious persecution and spiritual survival provide an understanding that could build a road to tolerance. His inspired teaching and writing may be more relevant today than ever.”
University of Toronto, Twenty-six Professors Who Lead the World
Research
The title of “Distinguished Professor,” awarded to less than 3% of faculty members, was bestowed on Professor Virani for his research on Sufism, Ithna-‘ashari and Ismaili Shiism, Quranic studies, Islamic history and philosophy, and Muslim literatures in Arabic, Persian and South Asian languages. His publications include books, a documentary film, multimedia productions, a registered invention, a proposal to the Unicode Consortium, entries in the Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Encyclopaedia of Religion and numerous peer reviewed articles. This research has been translated into over 20 languages, and has received awards and recognition from the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Middle East Studies Association, the Foundation for Iranian Studies, Farabi International, the British Society for Middle East Studies, and two Iranian presidents. He has received over six million dollars in monetary awards and grants, including competitive research awards, pedagogical grants, collaborative grants, and others.
Mentorship
“These Professors Made a Lasting Impression” proclaims a headline of The Chronicle of Higher Education. The front page features a photograph of Professor Virani, surrounded by scores of exuberant students. In its University Report, The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, singled him out as one of the main attractions for students to attend the University of Toronto. Beyond his classes, Professor Virani offers numerous mentorship opportunities for postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate and graduate students.
Features
Professor Virani has served in governorship roles of major international organizations in North America, Africa and the Middle East, both professionally and in a volunteer capacity. He was the founding director of the Centre for South Asian Civilizations at the University of Toronto and has partnered with donors to raise several million dollars in cash and kind, including the campus’ largest gift in the humanities. As a consultant for government agencies, educational institutions, filmmakers, television shows, cultural heritage organizations and others, he has sought to promote creative solutions to foster the values of pluralism, diversity and the cosmopolitan ethic. The features slides below highlight a few of these endeavors.
