Muslims in Western Politics

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments This volume is based on the contributions to the “Muslims in Western Politics” conference that I convened at Indiana University on September 22–24, 2005. It would not have been possible without the strong support of IU unit heads, faculty, and administrators to bring some of the best researchers in the field to this conference. This project owes much to wonderful visionary colleagues at IU. It began with a conversation and encouragement from Robert Rohrschneider, then director of the Center for West European Studies. Both he and Fritz Breithaupt, who succeeded him as director, provided me with the kind of necessary advice that only hard-earned experience would otherwise bring. Ted Carmines helped fund the conference and convince first-rate scholars to participate, and infused the process with his legendary bonhomie. I also acknowledge the support of two more superb colleagues for their participation and support, Jeff Isaac and Nazif Shahrani. I acknowledge the generous sponsorship of the Center for the Study of Global Change, the Center for West European Studies (WEST), the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program (MEISP), the Department of Political Science, the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Dean of Faculties , the Office of the Chancellor, the IU School of Law, the College Arts and Humanities Institute, the Barr Koon Fund, the Department of French and Italian, the Office of International Programs, the American Studies Program, the Center for Citizenship and Participation, and the Center for the Study of American Politics . These Indiana University units financed the conference and the research assistance that helped produce this book. Among administrators, I acknowledge the indispensable and ever-outstanding staff of the Department of Political Science: Scott Feickert helped me navigate complicated financial logistics, James Russell provided first-rate technical support , and Margaret Anderson was of continuous assistance. Adam Jacobs assisted with logistics. Ahmed Khanani meticulously assisted with formatting this manuscript. I thank all contributors to this volume for providing sophisticated essays in a timely fashion and for the pleasure of collaborating with them. I finally recognize my editor at Indiana University Press, Dee Mortensen, and her staff for their helpfulness and patience. x · Acknowledgments ...