Mona Hassan

Dr. Mona Hassan is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and History at Duke University, where she holds joint appointments in the departments of History and Religious Studies, as well as the Program in International Comparative Studies. She received her Ph.D. from Princeton University and is widely recognized for her expertise in global Islamic history. Her academic work explores the complex intersections between religion, politics, culture, and gender within the Muslim world. Dr. Hassan’s groundbreaking book *Longing for the Lost Caliphate: A Transregional History* was published by Princeton University Press in 2017. The work garnered significant acclaim, earning the American Academy of Religion’s Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion in the Historical Studies category. In the book, she explores how Muslims across centuries and regions have responded to the loss of the Islamic caliphate, both after the Mongol invasions in the thirteenth century and the Ottoman dissolution in the early twentieth century. She analyzes how memories of this loss have shaped law, politics, and culture across Afro-Eurasia. In addition to her work on political history and Islamic governance, Dr. Hassan has contributed substantially to the study of gender and Islamic law. Her research delves into the evolving role of women in Islamic legal scholarship from the early Muslim community to contemporary times. She particularly focuses on how modern secular states have altered the landscape of religious authority, especially in contexts like modern Turkey, where the legacy of secularism continues to influence the public and private practice of Islam. Through her teaching and publications, Dr. Mona Hassan remains a vital voice in contemporary scholarship, offering nuanced perspectives on the ways historical narratives continue to shape the modern Muslim experience. Her work is frequently cited in both academic and public discourses, reflecting its relevance and depth.