Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern History at the University of Chicago, Fred Donner, offers a thoughtful reflection on his life, distinguished career, and groundbreaking research on the origins of Islam. Donner highlights some of the evolving paradigms and scholarly debates that have influenced the field of Islamic studies. Among his notable publications are “The Early Islamic Conquests” (1981), “Narratives of Islamic Origins: The Beginnings of Islamic Historical Writing” (1997), and “Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam" (2010).
SeldonTalks, with host Laith Saud, features the personal stories of authors, scholars, activists, and artists whose work provides a more nuanced or relevant understanding of Islam.
Produced by Dina Rehab, Seldon Institute -- a collaborative space for research, knowledge exchange, and innovative program design to explore a more practical understanding of Islam.