As the world continues to mourn Pope Francis, we also wanted to bring to the attention of our readers the passing of Abdallah Schleifer on March 27th, a professor emeritus of journalism at the American University in Cairo and influential leader in interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the last half-century. Born into a Jewish family in New York, Professor Schleifer’s life and career defy easy categorization. After stints as a hippie Beatnik and a Marxist, Abdlallah converted to Islam in the 1960’s, drawn especially by the Sufi tradition. Soon after, he began a long and successful journalistic career focused on the Middle East. For the last forty years, Abdallah has been a fixture here in Cairo.

(Professor Abdallah Schleifer)

Beyond his university and journalistic work, Abdallah was a member of C-1 World Dialogue affiliated with the World Economic Forum, senior fellow at the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought (Jordan), lead editor for The Muslim 500, and an original signatory to A Common Word Between Us and You, among other significant roles. A introductory list of some of his many and diverse publications can be found on this Google Scholar page.

Here in Cairo, Abdallah was also a good friend and supporter of our work. I will remember him as a man who carried himself with remarkable humor and levity even though he had spent his entire adult life wrestling with some of the most challenging political and religious conflicts in the modern world. 

Our founding editor and director, Cornelis Hulsman, worked closely with Abdallah and knew him well. You are invited to read his biographical overview and personal tribute to Abdallah here.

We offer our condolences to Abdallah's family and many friends around the world.

Matthew Anderson

Director - Center for Arab-West Understanding

Executive Editor - Dialogue Across Borders (Brill)

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April 25, 2025