James (Jimmy) E. Jones is a tenured Associate Professor of World Religions with a concurrent appointment in African Studies at Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY, where he is founding co-coordinator of the Center for Middle East Understanding. He is also currently the Academic Director of the Summer Arabic / Qur’an Immersion Program for Americans at Cairo ‘s Al-Azhar University where he has served for the past 5 years.

Professor Jones’ writing, research and lecture activities are focused on Muslim American identity development and conflict resolution. Dr. Jones, a Visiting Professor at Cordoba University’s Graduate School of Islamic and Social Science, Ashburn, VA. He has lectured at, taught in or consulted to many institutions in Bahrain, Bosnia, Bermuda, Egypt, Jerusalem, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad-Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

His latest publication is a chapter in the recently released book (2009) Peace-Building by, between, and beyond Muslims and Evangelical Christians edited by Dr. Mohammed Abu Nimer and Dr. David Augsberger.

A member of the American Academy of Religion, Dr Jones holds a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University , a master’s degree from Yale University Divinity School and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Hartford Seminary.

Born in Baltimore MD, Jimmy Jones embraced Islam in 1979. He lives in New Haven, CT, with his wife where they are active leaders of Masjid Al Islam’s community development project.