On June 9th, ICSC officially joined Claremont School of Theology’s “University Project,” the first graduate-level consortium in history to educate Christian ministers, Jewish rabbis and Muslim imams.

The University Project is comprised of Claremont, a Methodist university, the Academy for Jewish Religion, California (AJR, CA) and the ICSC, with the goal to foster understanding, correct misconceptions, and promote mutual respect between the faiths. Although each group will maintain its own school and curriculum, all three will also contribute to a unique shared curriculum in areas including ethics, politics and society.

According to ICSC’s Religious Director, Jihad Turk, Islam has the most to gain from the project because it remains the most misunderstood faith in the U.S.
“This is a very American approach. It’s an expression of an American religion and American religious attitude,” notes Turk. “It’s better that future religious leaders are getting their training in America if they’re planning to work in America.”

The ICSC is working closely with the University Project to create an Islamic program that will set the standard for training American imams, an endeavor that is slated to be completed by 2011.

The Islamic component of the University Project will cater to the hallmarks of Islam in America, which is more inclusive of women in leadership roles, involved in interfaith relations and has a higher degree of civic engagement.
Claremont has already received $10 million to begin funding this collaboration, but is seeking additional donors to reach its $40 million mark.