John L. Esposito

Director,
Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University

John L. Esposito is currently a professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. He is also the Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. A consultant to the Department of State as well as corporations, universities, and the media worldwide, Mr. Esposito has served as President of the Middle East Studies Association of North America and the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies, Vice Chair of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy and is currently a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council of 100 Leaders. In 2003 he received the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Mr. Esposito is Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World (4 vols.), The Oxford History of Islam and has authored more than 35 books including: Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think; Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam; Islam: The Straight Path; Islam and Politics; Islam and Democracy and Modernizing Islam. His books and articles have been translated into more than 26 languages.