Mohammed Dajani

Professor Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi, is a Jerusalem-born scholar and peace activist with two doctorate degrees granted from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, (1981) and the University of Texas at Austin, Texas, (1984). He is founding executive director of Wasatia, Moderate Islamic Movement in Palestine; professor of political science and international relations; previously founding director of American Studies Institute and Director of Libraries, Al-Quds University;  founding director, Jerusalem Studies and Research Institute.

He is author of numerous books and articles both in English and Arabic.  His latest publications are: Wasatia: The Spirit of Islam (Jerusalem: Wasatia Publishing, 2009);editor, Jerusalem from the Lens of Wasatia (Jerusalem: Wasatia Publishing, 2010); The Future of Jerusalem (Jerusalem: Wasatia Publishing, 2012); Israelis and Palestinians: Contested Narratives (Jerusalem: Wasatia Publishing, 2013); Exploring American Studies: A Success Story (Jerusalem: Wasatia Publishing, 2013) ; Reconciliation in Midst of Conflict (2015).

Dajani made headlines at home and abroad in the spring of 2014 when he organized and escorted 27 Palestinian university students to visit Auschwitz and learn about the Holocaust. It was quintessential experiential learning opportunities for students and yet the Palestinian outburst cost Professor Dajani his post at al-Quds University where he was Director of Libraries and Founding Director of the American Studies Graduate Institute; he received threat letters and his car was torched.