Director Of The Barzinji Institute Publishes New Book
Younus Mirza Publishes New Book Examining the Appearances of Mary/Maryam Between Christianity and Islam
By Jace Gibson ’26
In September, Younus Mirza, Ph.D., director of the Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning at Shenandoah University, published “The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries,” a book examining and discussing the different appearances of Mary, or Maryam, in both Christian and Islamic texts, noting their commonalities.
Mary/Maryam could provide a common link between Christianity and Islam, as they both see her as a righteous figure who gave birth to Jesus. Moreover, Maryam provides a female model of spirituality that could be an example for both men and women. Additionally, Mary/Maryam raises important questions regarding scripture, women, and spirituality that are not limited to religious communities, but are of interest to larger audiences.”
Younus Mirza, Ph.D.
The book examines the varied appearances of Maryam in different Islamic cultural and theological contexts. The chapters in this history extend from Maryam’s scriptural mentions in the Qur’an and the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, her appearances in medieval debates regarding prophecy, citations of her virtuous model in Sufi discussions of piety, presentations in art and film, and through to her role in modern interfaith relations. Through his work, Dr. Mirza looks to bridge the gap of understanding between Christianity and Islam by highlighting the commonalities and nuances that the two religions share.
“Much of my work sees me engage church communities and affiliated universities, discussing how Mary/Maryam is both similar but distinct from the Christian Mary,” said Dr. Mirza. “Many church communities often ‘otherize’ Islam and see it as foreign and completely different from Christianity. Thus, they are surprised to hear about Jesus and Mary being in the Qur’an and being revered within the Islamic tradition. While many introduce Islam using the five pillars, I have also found it helpful to use shared stories. This can raise important theological similarities and differences and can help one better understand the nuances of the various religions.”
“The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries” is available for purchase on Amazon. Additional information on the book, and how it relates to Mirza’s research for the Barzinji Institute, can be found online at su.edu.
