After more than twenty years at the helm of IUPUI’s Arabic Studies Program, Senior Lecturer Amira Mashhour (Ph.D., Cairo University) has retired from the faculty of the World Languages and Cultures Department.

For decades, students consistently testified to her gentle, encouraging, and supportive approach to studying what is, for many Americans, an exceedingly difficult language. Her success as one of the very few Muslim female faculty members in the School of Liberal Arts also contributed to a more welcoming environment for historically under-represented students, faculty, and staff, especially for other Muslim women.

Though Arabic was taught in the School of Liberal Arts by associate faculty in the 1990s, Dr. Mashhour eventually became the School’s first permanent full-time Arabic language instructor. She taught one three-credit course in 2002, but increased student demand and U.S. government funding for Arabic language study after 9/11 led her to develop a full-fledged language program with classes in beginning, intermediate, and advanced Arabic. She also began advising students who chose to participate in the Individualized Major Program.

In 2008, Dr. Mashhour worked with Professor Edward Curtis, who will succeed her as the director of the Arabic Studies Program, to create the Minor in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies. That minor, the most popular program in the Arabic studies program, offers classes on Middle Eastern, Arab and Arab American, and Islamic and Muslim American studies as well as language instruction.

“No one can replace Dr. Mashhour,” said Dr. Curtis, “she will be missed.” But Curtis said he also feels fortunate to sustain her legacy: “Among the very best ways to honor her is to make sure the program she built continues to flourish.”

The Arabic Studies Program welcomes your financial support via the Arabic and Islamic Studies fund managed by the Indiana University Foundation. For questions, please contact ecurtis4@iu.edu.