A leading authority on contemporary Islam, Akbar Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies and professor of International Relations at American University, will lecture at DePaul University from noon until 2 p.m., Sept. 16, in Cortelyou Commons, 2324 N.Fremont St.

Ahmed’s lecture, sponsored by the university’s Center for Interreligious Engagement (CIE), will focus on “Islam in the United States: Clash of Civilizations or Metaphor for Understanding?” His talk is free and open to the public.

An Islamic expert who is often interviewed by the national media, Ahmed has taught at Princeton, Harvard and Cambridge universities. He also is a visiting professor at the Brookings Institute, a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C.

 Born in a small town in what was once British India, Ahmed has distinguished himself as an anthropologist, writer and filmmaker. In 1991, he served a one-year appointment as Pakistani High Commissioner (Ambassador) to the United Kingdom. His books include “Journey into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization,” “Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society,” and “Postmodernism and Islam: Predicament and Promise.” Ahmed received his doctoral degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University.

DePaul’s Center for Interreligious Engagement examines issues related to religious diversity, religious conflict and peaceful resolution, and community building across religious boundaries. For more information about CIE or this event, please contact its director, Frida Kerner Furman, professor of religious studies, at 773/325-4275.