Duncan Black Macdonald Center

The Duncan Black Macdonald Center, was established in 1973 within Hartford International University, for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, it is America’s oldest center dedicated to this field.

The Macdonald Center is committed to scholarly research, education, publication, and communication in the areas of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations. It serves as both a resource hub and a gathering space for domestic and international students and participants to engage in critical learning, dialogue, and the exchange of perspectives on a wide range of issues related to Islam and Christian-Muslim relations.

Vision: The Macdonald Center is committed to the premise that, through intensive study and academically guided dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation between Muslims and Christians can—and should—develop. The Center’s faculty and staff are dedicated to promoting better understanding between and among faiths, and to supporting efforts that foster relationships built on tolerance and trust.

Mission: The Macdonald Center is a research center within Hartford International University dedicated to scholarly research, education, publication, and communication in the areas of the study of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. It provides resources as well as a gathering place for domestic and international students, and participants to engage in critical learning, dialogue, and share perspectives on a range of issues related to Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations. The Macdonald Center also challenges scholars, students, the media, religious communities, and the general public to move beyond stereotypes and develop an accurate awareness and appreciation of Islamic religion, law, and culture.

Key Objectives of the Center: A major part of the activity of the Macdonald Center is responsible for setting the courses for the Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations component of the Seminary’s MAIRS and PhD programs, and the Islamic Chaplaincy Specialization of the MAC degree. Its faculty edit HIU’s The Muslim World journal.

The Center is also dedicated to relationships with the wider community. Faculty regularly speak and participate in meetings and conferences in the Greater Hartford area, nationally and in the international context, and are available to provide information for members of the press and other media, researchers, local churches and institutions, and the public in general.

Main Activities and Programs: The Faculty of the Macdonald Center teach in the area of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations in the Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies, Master of Arts in Chaplaincy, and the PhD in Interreligious Studies programs. See https://www.hartfordinternational.edu/religion-research/macdonald-center/events

Workshops: Macdonald Center faculty have organized various workshops locally and internationally. The Center partnered with Danmission and the Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania in 2024, and the Kaduna Centre for the Study of Christian-Muslim Relations in 2025 for workshops in CMR.

Seminars/Webinars: The Center hosts several webinars each year on various topics, often this takes the form of a “book talk” on a recently published book in the field. Biennially it hosts a “Sacred Languages Symposium” and the Bijlefeld Lecture series.

Outreach Events: Currently, the Center organizes a “short course” or study-abroad program for the PTIQ University, Jakarta, Indonesia, where MA and PhD students come to HIU for three to six months to experience interreligious and intercultural dialogue, while engaging in research in Qur’anic studies.