# AALIMS-Harvard Conference on the Political Economy of the Muslim World ## April 19–20, 2024 **This conference is closed to the public.** \[ [Conference Website](https://aalims.org/aalims-harvard-conference-on-the-political-economy-of-the-muslim-world-2024/) \] The purpose of AALIMS (Association for Analytic Learning about Islam and Muslim Societies) is to promote analytic research of Muslim societies, with a focus on the roles of culture and religion in social, economic, and political trends in both the past and the present. It serves as a forum for the discussion and critical evaluation of relevant research that uses advanced descriptive, theoretical, and empirical methods of the modern social sciences. It puts a premium on interdisciplinary exchanges as a means of fostering comprehensive analyses of Muslim societies and their institutions. Thus, it seeks to broaden contacts among economists, historians, legal scholars, political scientists, and sociologists working on the Muslim world. It reaches out also to humanists, especially specialists on Islam or a part of the Muslim world, who share an appreciation of applying empirical and theoretical methods of the social sciences to the social, political, historical, or economic study of Muslim societies. The association avoids political activism of all kinds. It shall have no political affiliation. Imposing no limits on the inferences made or conclusions reached, it considers unrestricted scholarly debate and discussion as essential to intellectual advancement and refinement. *Cosponsored by Alwaleed Islamic Studies Program, Center for Middle East Studies, Department of Economics, Harvard University; Middle East Initiative, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School.* ## Contact **Sarah Banse** *Events Manager.* 1737 Cambridge Street, Room K217 Cambridge, MA 02138 \[ [Map](http://goo.gl/maps/GxyRd) \] p: (617) 495-9006 f: (617) 495-8292 ## Valuing Accessibility The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the access provided, please get in touch with the person listed as the contact on the individual event listing in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance, if possible. Please note that the Weatherhead Center will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability. ## Conveners [### Melani Cammett ](/people/melani-claire-cammett) Center Director; Chair, Weatherhead Research Cluster on Identity and Conflict; Faculty Associate (on leave 2025–2026); Harvard Academy Senior Scholar. Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Department of Government, Harvard University. **Research interests**: Conflict; religion and ethnicity; development; and Middle East politics. **Pronouns:** she/her/hers ![Melani Cammett.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-06/cammett_melani.jpg?h=f8f5c50e&itok=Pu-9tRiA) [### Asim Khwaja ](/people/asim-khwaja) [asim\_ijaz\_khwaja@harvard.edu](mailto:asim_ijaz_khwaja@harvard.edu)Faculty Associate. Sumitomo-Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development Professor of International Finance and Development; Director, Center for International Development; Codirector, Evidence for Policy Design (EPoD), Harvard Kennedy School; MBA Class of 1953 Visiting Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School. Research interests: Economic development; applied microeconomics; contract theory; corporate finance; and industrial organization. ![khwaja_asim.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/wcfia/files/khwaja_asim.jpg?itok=fqs2Y_cp) [### Tarek Masoud ](/people/tarek-masoud) [Tarek\_Masoud@harvard.edu](mailto:Tarek_Masoud@harvard.edu)Faculty Associate. Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Governance; Director, Middle East Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School. Research interests: Political development; religion and politics; and Middle Eastern politics. ![Tarek Masoud](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/wcfia/files/masoud_tarek.jpg?itok=r7pnJK9M) ### Timur Kuran **Professor of Economics and Political Science, and Gorter Family Professor of Islamic Studies, Duke University.** See also:- [ Conferences ](/content-types/conferences) - [ 2024 ](/content-types/2024)