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Robert Hefner

Professor of Anthropology Pardee School College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University

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  • Boston University

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Biography

Boston University

Robert W. Hefner is professor of anthropology and director of the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA) at Boston University, where he served as associate director from 1986-2009. At CURA, he has directed the program on Islam and society since 1991; coordinated interdisciplinary educational programs on religion and world affairs; and is currently involved in research projects comparing responses to modern social change (“modernity”) in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Hefner has conducted research on Muslim culture, politics, and education since the mid-1980s, and on the comparative sociology/anthropology of world religions for the past thirty years. He has directed some 15 major research projects, and organized 11 international conferences. Recent projects have examined shari`a law and citizenship in eight Muslim majority countries (2008-2010); the culture and politics of Muslim education (2005-2007); the prospects for and the politics of civil democratic Muslim politics (2002-2004); and social resources for civility and participation in the deeply plural societies of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia (1999-2001). Hefner has authored or edited fifteen books, as well as seven major policy reports for the U.S. government and private policy foundations. Five of his books have been translated into Indonesian.

 

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Cases

Michael Flynn once said most education in the Middle East is done in madrasas that are ‘hate factories’

December 19, 2016

CNN Politics Robert Hefner, Pardee School/College of Arts & Sciences Incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn claimed in a speech this year that most education in the Middle East takes place in Islamic religious schools called madrasas and that those schools are “hate factories.”… Expert quote: “I certainly recognize that some madrasas, especially in Pakistan, […]

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The story behind a massive Muslim protest against a Christian governor

November 7, 2016

Christian Science Monitor Robert Hefner, College of Arts & Sciences Tens of thousands of protesters in Jakarta, Indonesia, took to the streets on Friday to demand the ouster of the capital’s governor for making what they call blasphemous remarks against Muslims… Expert quote: “It has to do with this ongoing debate in Indonesia about how […]

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Religion in U.S. Foreign Policy: Implications for Asia

May 17, 2016

The Diplomat Robert Hefner, College of Arts & Sciences The Rebalance author Mercy Kuo regularly engages subject-matter experts, policy practitioners and strategic thinkers across the globe for their diverse insights into the U.S. rebalance to Asia… View full article quoting expert Robert Hefner

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Experts Media Alert – White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism

February 13, 2015

The White House will hold a “Summit on Countering Violent Extremism” on February 18. According to a statement from the White House press secretary, the summit will “highlight domestic and international efforts to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from radicalizing, recruiting, or inspiring individuals or groups in the United States and abroad to commit […]

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Change over time: A conversation with Robert W. Hefner

June 6, 2012

The Immanent Frame Robert Hefner, College of Arts & Sciences In this installment of the Rites and Responsibilities dialogue series, I met with the Boston University anthropologist and scholar of Islam Robert W. Hefner… View article

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