View source for Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad

{{short description|Palestinian-American scholar}}
{{BLP primary sources|date=March 2023}}
{{use dmy dates |date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox academic
| image              = File:Dean4a.jpg
| caption            = Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad in 2012
| native_name        = عماد الدين أحمد
| native_name_lang   = ar
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1948|08|11}}
| other_names        = Dean Ahmad
| website            = https://imadaddean.com/
| alma_mater         = [[Harvard University]] <small>(BA, 1970)</small> <br />[[University of Arizona]] <small>(PhD, 1975)</small>
}}
'''Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad''' (also known as '''Dean Ahmad''') ({{langx|ar|عماد الدين أحمد}}) (born August 11, 1948) is a [[Palestinian Americans|Palestinian American]] scholar and the president of the [[Minaret of Freedom Institute]], a [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] [[501(c)(3)#501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] tax-exempt [[think-tank]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.minaret.org/Staff.htm|title=Staff |website=Minaret of Freedom Institute|access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> He also is president of the Islamic-American Zakat Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt religious and charitable organization that primarily serves poor and needy Muslims in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iazf.org/our-services/ |title=Our Services |website=Islamic-American Zakat Foundation |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>

==Biography==
Ahmad was born on the way to the United States when his family left Palestine in 1948. He was raised in [[Pennsylvania]] and graduated [[cum laude]] with a bachelor's degree from [[Harvard University]] (1970) and a doctoral degree in astronomy and astrophysics from the [[University of Arizona]] (1975). He is a [[Muslim]].<ref name=CISD>{{cite web |url=http://www.csidonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=316&Itemid=95 |website=Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy |title=Biographical Data on Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad |access-date=13 March 2008 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619112932/http://www.csidonline.org/?option=com_content&task=view&id=316&Itemid=95 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Academic career==
Ahmad taught an introductory course on [[Islam]] at [[Wesley Theological Seminary]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/Portals/0/Documents/Registrar/2011-2012%20Catalog-Seminary%20Personnel.pdf |title=Wesley Seminary Personnel listing |page=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611115616/http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/Portals/0/Documents/Registrar/2011-2012%20Catalog-Seminary%20Personnel.pdf |archive-date=2014-06-11 }}.</ref> He also has taught courses on religion, science and freedom at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.honors.umd.edu/COURSES/0308/268J0308.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907001722/http://www.honors.umd.edu/COURSES/0308/268J0308.htm|url-status=dead|title=Fall 2003 University of Maryland HONR Course Descriptions|archivedate=September 7, 2006}}</ref> and courses relating to Islam and development at [[Georgetown University]], the [[Johns Hopkins University]], [[Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies|School for Advanced International Studies]], and the [[Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim–Christian Understanding]].<ref name=CISD/>

Ahmad has written and spoken on Islam and legal and religious freedom, [[democracy]] in the [[Muslim world]], Islamic [[civil society]], [[property rights]] in Islam, women in Islam and [[female circumcision]], Middle East conflicts in Palestine and Iraq, Palestinian human and property rights, terrorism and jihad, and American civil liberties.<ref name=Articles>{{cite web |url=http://www.minaret.org/articles.htm |title=Articles, transcripts, and publications |website=Minaret Freedom Institute |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>
Ahmad is the author of ''Signs in the Heavens: A Muslim Astronomer's Perspective on Religion and Science'' and ''Islamic Rules of Order'', co-editor of ''Islam and the West: A Dialog'', and co-author of ''Islam and the Discovery of Freedom''. He also contributed to ''The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism'' with an article on Islam.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Ahmad |first= Imad-ad-Dean  | editor-first=Ronald |editor-last=Hamowy |editor-link=Ronald Hamowy |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism |title= Islam |url= https://sk.sagepub.com/reference/libertarianism/n155.xml |accessdate= |edition= |year=2008 |publisher= [[SAGE Publishing|Sage]]; [[Cato Institute]] |location= Thousand Oaks, CA |doi=10.4135/9781412965811.n155 |isbn= 978-1412965804 |oclc=750831024| lccn = 2008009151 |pages= 256–258 |quote=|url-access= subscription }}</ref> His address on "Islam, Commerce and Business Ethics" was published in Nicholas Capaldi's ''Business and Religion: A Clash of Civilizations?''<ref>{{cite book |first=Nicholas |last=Capaldi |title=Business and Religion: A Clash of Civilizations? |publisher=M&M Scrivener Press |date=2005 |isbn=9780976404101}}</ref> He has been published by [[Middle East Policy]],<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Butterworth, C. E. |author2=Richman, S. |author3=Ahmad, I. A. D. |author4=Liggio, L. |date=June 1994 |title=The Political Economy of Liberty in the Arab and Islamic Middle East |journal=Middle East Policy |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=109–124 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1475-4967.1994.tb00113.x |doi=10.1111/j.1475-4967.1994.tb00113.x|url-access=subscription }}</ref> ''American Muslim Magazine'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/ramadan_reflection_a_lesson_from_an_interfaith_friendship |title=Ramadan Reflection: A Lesson from an Interfaith Friendship |website=American Muslim Magazine |date=2 August 2011 |access-date=26 May 2024 |first=Imad-ad-Dean |
last=Ahmad}}</ref> [[Economic Affairs (journal)|Economic Affairs]]<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ahmad, I. A. |title=Islam and Hayek |journal=Economic Affairs |volume=13 |issue=3 |date=April 1993 |pages=16–17 |url=https://www.minaret.org/hayek.pdf |doi=10.1111/j.1468-0270.1993.tb00050.x}}</ref> and [[Georgetown Journal of International Affairs]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ahmad, Imad-ad-Dean |title=Turkish Hindsight: Muslim Roots, Secular Minds |journal=Georgetown Journal of International Affairs |volume=9 |date=2008 |pages=127 |url=https://www.minaret.org/fuller.pdf}}</ref> Ahmad has been a frequent guest lecturer at the [[Foreign Services Institute]].<ref name=CISD/>

Ahmad was a Muslim chaplain at [[American University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.american.edu/ocl/kay/chaplains.cfm |website=Kay Spiritual Life Center, American University |title=Chaplains}}</ref> the Islamic [[chaplain]] at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital, Imam of the Dar-adh-Dhikr Mosque and arbitrator for the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area.<ref name=CISD/>  In 1998, in his role as the American Muslim Council Liaison to the Coalition for Free Exercise of Religion, he testified before the [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights]], supporting the need for federal protection of religious freedom after the [[City of Boerne v. Flores]] case decided by the [[United States Supreme Court]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131105214743/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-28527684.html Congressional Testimony of Testimony of Imad A. (Dean) Ahmad, Ph.D. American Muslim Council Liaison to the Coalition for Free Exercise of Religion to the Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Need for Federal Protection of Religious Freedom after Boerne V Flores], ProQuest LLC, March 26, 1998.</ref> Ahmad also is a spokesperson for the National Coalition for the Protection of Civil Liberties, a national coalition of over 20 Muslim and civil liberties organizations.<ref>[http://www.civilfreedoms.org/?p=9922 National Coalition Decries NYPD Spying As As Symptomatic of Erosion of Civil Freedoms] (February 23, 2012); [http://www.civilfreedoms.org/?p=12472 NCPCF Objects To Federal Prison Refusal To Respect Religious Freedom Of Prisoners In Disregard Of Court Orders] (June 1, 2012); Press Releases on the [http://www.civilfreedoms.org National Coalition for the Protection of Civil Liberties website].</ref>

==Political activism==

Ahmad has been an outspoken critic of the role of [[neoconservatives]] in shaping United States' foreign policy, especially in the Middle East.<ref>Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, [http://www.minaret.org/Neoconservatives.htm "The Role of Neoconservatives in Shaping U.S. Policy"], originally published in [http://www.masnet.org/magazine.asp ''American Muslim Magazine''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323055758/http://masnet.org/magazine.asp |date=2008-03-23 }}, at [http://www.minaret.org/Neoconservatives.htm Minaret.org], (undated).</ref>{{primary inline|date=September 2024}}

In 2001 Ahmad joined a delegation of American Muslims participating in the "First Conference on [[Jerusalem]]" in [[Beirut]], which was "dedicated to the liberation of Jerusalem."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minaret.org/beirutconference.htm |title=Imad-ad-dean Ahmad's Address to the First Conference on Jerusalem |website=Minaret of Freedom Institute |access-date=26 May 2024 |date=29 January 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Carl |last=Cameron |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,53065,00.html |title=Clues Alerted White House to Potential Attacks |work=[[Fox News Channel|FoxNews.Com]] |date=May 17, 2002}}</ref>

Ahmad has been a libertarian activist since 1975, serving as chair of the [[Libertarian Party of Maryland]], managing four political campaigns,<ref name=AhmadSenate>{{cite web |url=http://www.ahmadforussenate.info/meet-the-candidate/ |website=Ahmad for Senate |title=Meet the Candidate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710122629/http://www.ahmadforussenate.info/meet-the-candidate/ |archive-date=2012-07-10 }}</ref> and participating in various Libertarian Party of Maryland political activities<ref>
* {{cite web |url=http://www.md.lp.org/newsletters/jan00/v22n1.html |title=Maryland Libertarian Party Newsletter |date=January 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515160234/http://www.md.lp.org/newsletters/jan00/v22n1.html |archive-date=2008-05-15 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.md.lp.org/album/page2/ |title=Maryland Libertarian Party photo album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403204313/http://www.md.lp.org/album/page2/ |archive-date=2013-04-03 |date=1999}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.md.lp.org/album/page8/ |title=Maryland Libertarian Party photo album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403163037/http://www.md.lp.org/album/page8/ |archive-date=2013-04-03 |date=2004}}</ref> He was a member of Academics for [[Ron Paul]] during congressman Paul's run for the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential nomination]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.academicsforpaul.com/ |title=Academics for Ron Paul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222013030/http://www.academicsforpaul.com/ |archive-date=February 22, 2008}}</ref>

He also has been active in the national [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] activities, serving as its national secretary,<ref name=AhmadSenate/> chair of its Judicial Committee,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lp.org/archives/lpnatconv2002.pdf |title=Minutes of 2002 Libertarian National Convention |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511105951/http://www.lp.org/archives/lpnatconv2002.pdf |archive-date=2012-05-11 |page=11 |website=[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]]}}</ref> chair of its platform committee,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faqs.org/faqs/libertarian/party/officials/national |title=Libertarian Party FAQ: Directory of National LP Officials |date=June 1996 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=faqs.org}}</ref> and chair of the Muslim Outreach Committee of the [[Michael Badnarik]] for President Campaign in 2004.<ref name=AhmadSenate/>

In 1988 Ahmad ran as a Libertarian for the [[United States Senate]] even though only Republicans and Democrats were allowed to have their name printed unless they collected tens of thousands of signatures. Ahmad's court challenge to the law failed, but he received 500 write-in votes. Maryland law subsequently allowed the Libertarian Party to collect just 10,000 signatures to obtain ballot status.<ref name=AhmadSenate/><ref name="md.lp.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.md.lp.org/ballotaccess/ |website=Maryland Libertarian Party |title=Ballot access page |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905192533/http://www.md.lp.org/ballotaccess/ |archive-date=2012-09-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Ahm |title=Imad Ahmad on "Metro Week in Review" |website=[[C-SPAN]] |date=November 6, 1988 |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>

==2012 United States Senate campaign==
In May 2012 the Libertarian Party of Maryland nominated Ahmad as its [[United States Senate election in Maryland, 2012|2012 Senate candidate]]. After a successful legal battle for ballot status, he ran against Democratic incumbent [[Ben Cardin]], Republican [[Dan Bongino]],<ref name=AhmadSenate/><ref name=Lazarick>{{cite web |first=Len |last=Lazarick |url=http://chestertownspy.com/2012/08/28/libertarians-and-greens-are-back-on-maryland-ballot/ |title=Libertarians and Greens are back on Maryland Ballot |website=Chestertow Spy |date=August 28, 2012 |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Allison |last=Bourg |url=http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/government/political_notes/political-notes-greens-libertarians-back-on-ballot/article_cdaf83c2-8a52-5431-9558-20aefefc0d11.html |title=Political Notes: Greens, Libertarians back on ballot |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121021051/http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/government/political_notes/political-notes-greens-libertarians-back-on-ballot/article_cdaf83c2-8a52-5431-9558-20aefefc0d11.html |archive-date=2013-01-21 |website=Capital Gazette |date=August 30, 2012}}. Updated 18 September 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lp.org/candidates/liberty-candidates-12/dean-ahmad |title=National Libertarian Party 2012 candidate listing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001121735/http://www.lp.org/candidates/liberty-candidates-12/dean-ahmad |archive-date=2012-10-01 }}</ref> and independent [[Rob Sobhani]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sobhaniformaryland.com |title=Sobhani for Maryland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829033630/http://sobhaniformaryland.com/ |archive-date=2012-08-29 }}</ref> Ahmad's platform issues included bringing U.S. troops home,  restoring civil liberties compromised by the "war on terror," working for federal government fiscal responsibility, and ending [[corporate welfare]].<ref name=Lazarick/>

Ahmad was endorsed by former Governor [[Gary Johnson]], Libertarian Party candidate for [[President of the United States]]. Johnson wrote "Dr. Ahmad is a strong consistent voice calling for individual Liberty for ALL Americans. His record of success as a civic activist for decades proves that Dr. Dean Ahmad is the kind of U.S. Senator this nation truly needs." Ahmad also endorsed Johnson.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ahmadforussenate.info/testimonial-1/ |title=Gary Johnson testimonial endorsing Dean Ahmad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712093540/http://www.ahmadforussenate.info/testimonial-1/ |archive-date=2012-07-12 |website=Ahmad for Senate}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2012/06/johnson-campaign-endorses-26-more-candidates/ |title=Johnson Campaign Endorses 26 More Candidates |website=Independent Political Report |publisher=Gary Johnson 2012 Campaign Headquarters |date=June 24, 2012 |first=Joe |last=Buchman |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>

Ahmad participated in the October 24, 2012 [[WOLB]] Radio debate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wolbbaltimore.com/1959249/maryland-senatorial-debate-2012/ |website=WOLB radio |title=Senatorial Debate 2012: What You Missed |access-date=26 May 2024 |date=24 October 2012}}</ref> Montgomery County Media aired his statement on his candidacy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv5dPKkJtuU|title=YouTube|website=www.youtube.com|access-date=8 December 2012|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722123211/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv5dPKkJtuU|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ahmad raised $15,705 to fund his campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00525857/?cycle=2012 |title=Ahmad for US Senate |website=Federal Election Commission |date=July 2012 |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> He received 32,252 votes, 1.2 percent of the total.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2012/results/general/gen_results_2012_4_007-.html|title=Official 2012 Presidential General Election Results: U.S. Senator |website=Maryland Board of Elections |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>

==Awards==
Ahmad, a former President of both the East Bethesda Citizens Association and the Montgomery County Civic Federation, has received the "Star Cup for Outstanding Public Service" award from the Montgomery County Civic Federation, the "Champion of Democracy Award" from Marylanders for Democracy and the "Sentinel Award" from the Montgomery County Civic Federation. In 2012 Ahmad was one of several Arab-Americans recognized in a city of Gaithersburg award ceremony.<ref name=CISD/> In 1990 he received the Libertarian Party of Maryland's "[[Samuel Chase|Samuel P. Chase]] award, named after the Maryland signer of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]].<ref name=CISD/><ref>{{cite web |first=Gerald |last=Schneider |url=http://www.md.lp.org/history/chase.pdf |title=The Samuel P. Chase Freedom Award |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511154859/http://www.md.lp.org/history/chase.pdf |archive-date=2013-05-11 |website=Libertarian Party of Maryland}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Arab Americans]]
* [[List of Palestinian Americans]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://imadaddean.com Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad personal web site]
* [http://www.iazf.org/ Islamic-American Zakat Foundation]
* [http://www.minaret.org/ Minaret of Freedom web site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080724154229/http://www.reason.com/interviews/minaret.shtml ''Reason'' magazine interview with Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad]
* [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week610/feature.html Public Broadcasting Service "Religion and Ethics"] feature on "Ramadan Moon", including Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad and other guests, November 8, 2002, Episode no. 610.
* [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion/jan-june01/pope_5-8.html Public Broadcasting Service Discussion of "The Pope's Journey"], featuring Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, May 8, 2001.
* {{C-SPAN|21629}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmad, Imad-ad-Dean}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Muslim scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Muslim scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:Activists from Maryland]]
[[Category:American foreign policy writers]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Muslims from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American Islamic studies scholars]]
[[Category:American writers of Palestinian descent]]
[[Category:Critics of neoconservatism]]
[[Category:Georgetown University faculty]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
[[Category:Johns Hopkins University faculty]]
[[Category:Maryland Libertarians]]
[[Category:Muslim reformers]]
[[Category:Muslim writers]]
[[Category:Palestinian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Palestinian Libertarians]]
[[Category:Palestinian refugees]]
[[Category:People born at sea]]
[[Category:University of Arizona alumni]]
[[Category:University of Maryland, College Park faculty]]
[[Category:Writers from Maryland]]
[[Category:Muslim scholars of Islamic studies]]
[[Category:Muslims from Maryland]]