American Islamic College Launches Center for the Study of Islam in India (CSII)
Villa Park, Illinois — May 2, 2026 — The American Islamic College proudly launched the Center for the Study of Islam in India (CSII), a significant new academic initiative dedicated to deepening scholarship on one of the world’s largest Muslim populations.
The official launch was celebrated at a special inaugural gathering at Ambiance Banquets in Villa Park, Illinois. The evening brought together professors, students, community leaders, and guests from across Chicagoland to mark this important milestone.
By creating the Center for the Study of Islam in India, the American Islamic College is doing critical and timely work, intentionally uplifting intellectual, theological, scientific, and cultural traditions of Islam in the Indian subcontinent that are often overlooked or underrepresented by mainstream academic institutions. The Center will advance rigorous research, public engagement, and meaningful dialogue on both the historical contributions and contemporary experiences of Indian Muslims.
Read more about the case for this critical work.
The program opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Timothy Gianotti, President of the American Islamic College. Additional reflections were shared by Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR Chicago, and Dr. Imam Musa Azam. Special recognition was given to Romana Manzoor for her dedicated leadership in bringing this vision to life.
Representatives from the Muslim Civic Coalition, including graduate fellows from the 2025 cohort, attended the event and actively engaged with community members. They shared American Muslim Stories materials and discussed recent legislative victories the Coalition has helped champion, including the Faith by Plate Act.
The Muslim Civic Coalition congratulates the American Islamic College on this groundbreaking achievement. The launch of CSII represents a powerful commitment to preserving, studying, and amplifying vital Muslim narratives that deserve far greater visibility in academia and beyond.