Welcome

The Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies promotes understanding of the Middle East through teaching, research, and community outreach. Our center is distinguished by its cross-regional approach to Middle East studies, one that breaks down area studies barriers in order to track global flows of ideas, commodities, and people.

The Center is part of the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies, a collaboration between Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Persian Studies    Turkish Studies    Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies    Conflict Management Initiative

Latest News

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  The Ackland Art Museum Shines Spotlight on Art of the Middle East and North Africa with Two Events: Exhibition “She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World” and Installation of Recently Acquired Islamic Art

     The Ackland Art Museum Shines Spotlight on Art of the Middle East and North Africa with Two Events: Exhibition “She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World” and Installation of Recently Acquired Islamic Art … Continued

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  Gillings Graduate Rawan Ajeen Recognized for Documenting Food Insecurity in Yemen

  “Traditional food insecurity trends are not applicable to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.” That’s how Rawan Ajeen, a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public health, summarizes her findings on food … Continued

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  Documenting an Archaeological Dig in Huqoq, Israel

  A reporter goes wherever the story is—whether that’s just off campus in Carrboro or 6,100 miles away in Israel. As part of the Documenting the Dig course, 14 School of Media and Journalism students followed one of the University’s biggest … Continued

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  Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies Spring 2019 Newsletter

  Our annual newsletter highlights exciting center activities from the 2018-2019 academic year. Read to learn more about programming, highlights from our affiliated faculty and students, and K-14 outreach events. Download the newsletter by clicking here or by clicking on the image below. … Continued

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  Conflict Over Gaza: Conference Report

  Overview and Purpose  On March 22-24, 2019, the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies held a conference on “Conflict Over Gaza: People, Politics, and Possibilities.”  For the past eight years, the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies has held an … Continued

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  Three UNC-Chapel Hill students win Boren Awards

  Nicole Behnke and James Hepburn were two of 106 graduate students chosen for David L. Boren Fellowships and Marissa Muller was one of 244 undergraduate students chosen for a David L. Boren Scholarship. University Communications – Chapel Hill, N.C. – Friday, May … Continued

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  Statement of the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies Against Anti-Semitism

  The Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies, dedicated to informed research and teaching on the Middle East, rejects anti-Semitism and all forms of racism and bias. Unfortunately, a musical performer at the Consortium’s recent conference on “Conflict over Gaza: People, … Continued

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  Building a New Life in Orange County: Refugee Experiences

  April 17, 2019 Carolina Passport   Orange County in North Carolina has an estimated 1,200 refugees. While they represent a small portion of the more than 65 million individuals displaced worldwide, their resettlement process can prove challenging. Local organizations like … Continued

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  UNC Global Statement about Recent Performance

  UNC Global welcomes students, faculty, and staff from over a hundred countries, represented by a diverse range of perspectives, traditions, and faiths—and we stand steadfast against hate in all its forms. Many members of our community, including Interim Chancellor Kevin … Continued

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  [Conference Report] Duke-UNC Annual Middle East and Islamic Studies Conference | “Muslims, Motherlands and Minoritization” | March 2, 2019 at UNC

  BY RACHEL COCHRAN | HINA MUNEERUDDIN | YASMINE FLODIN-ALI | ARIANNE EKINCI  //  APRIL 3, 2019   On March 2, 2019 the Islamicate Graduate Student Association (IGSA) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill hosted the 16th Annual Duke-UNC Graduate Middle East and Islamic Studies Conference, … Continued