Umar Ryad

Umar Ryad is a prominent Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at KU Leuven, where he leads the Research Unit of East Asian and Arabic Studies. His academic journey began at Al-Azhar University in Cairo with a BA in Islamic Studies, followed by an MA and PhD from Leiden University. His career spans prestigious appointments including assistant professor at Leiden University (2008-2014) and associate professor at Utrecht University (2014-2017). Currently, he holds an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship at Philipps-Universität Marburg and is a member of the Young Academy of Belgium. His research interests encompass Islamic reformism, pan-Islamist movements, Muslim-Christian relations, and the application of Digital Humanities to Islamic Studies. A significant achievement includes leading an ERC project on Muslims in Interwar Europe (2014-2019). His scholarly contributions extend to co-leading projects like "Mediating Islam in the Digital Age" and "The Computational Study of Culture." Beyond academia, Ryad maintains strong personal connections to his Egyptian roots, enjoying calligraphy, writing Arabic poetry, and finding solace in walks along the North Sea. His work bridges traditional Islamic scholarship with modern digital methodologies, while his motto "al-Haraka baraka" (movement is blessing) reflects his dynamic approach to academic pursuits. As a teacher and mentor, he emphasizes perseverance, often sharing his predecessor's wisdom that challenges "make you strong," particularly when guiding students through the complexities of Arabic language and literature.