Like many of the notable women being celebrated this March during Women's History Month, Amina Wadud has also caused a sensation or two. After authoring the first gender-inclusive critical interpretation of the Qur’an, Wadud continues to publish books, deliver papers, and speak at conferences across the United States and around the world. It was her appearance at DePaul’s 1995 “Islam in America Conference” and DePaul’s subsequent creation of the Islam in America Collection that led her to deposit her papers into the DPU Archives.
 
Born Mary Teasley, Wadud converted to Islam early in her life, changed her name to reflect her chosen religious affiliation, became fluent in Arabic, and earned her master’s and PhD degrees in Near Eastern Studies and Philosophy. Her activism and scholarship for women of the Muslim faith, however, extends beyond these academic boundaries. On two separate occasions Wadud created an international stir by leading prayers and ritual services within a mosque. The depths of resistance in the Islamic tradition to allowing women express their faith in such a way were quickly revealed. Numerous threats also followed the March 18, 2005 midday Muslim prayer, salat-al-jumu’ah, that she led in New York City. As a result Wadud was required to teach her courses at Virginia Commonwealth University by video link for security reasons. Articles relating to this event are located in Box 1, Biographical, Press 2005-2008 of the Amina Wadud Collection.
 
Along with Wadud’s papers, her collection includes copies of all of her publications, including the work she carries out with the international group, Sisters of Islam.
 

To view the finding aid for the Amina Wadud Collection:

http://library.depaul.edu/Collections/spcaPDF/WadudAminaFA.pdf
 

For more information contact Special Collections & Archives, Room 314 or archives@depaul.edu.