Welcome to the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, one of the country’s oldest organized research centers for study of the Middle East and North Africa. Since 1957 we have furthered interdisciplinary understanding of the region through conferences, symposia, lectures, scholarly research, teacher workshops, partnerships with area schools and colleges, public programs, language training, and supporting graduate and undergraduate instruction.

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Center News

Image for UCLA faculty lead initiative to support Afghan scholars in danger
UCLA faculty lead initiative to support Afghan scholars in danger

In an effort to bring Afghan scholars to UCLA, the Center for Near Eastern Studies is working to raise funds to support several visiting Afghan scholar positions on campus.


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In The Media

Image for Ali Behdad interviewed about Afghan Scholars at Risk
Ali Behdad interviewed about Afghan Scholars at Risk

Sep. 9, 2021. “[Afghan scholars] are facing tremendous repression and possibly expulsion from universities,” said Center for Near Easern Studies Director Ali Behdad to Los Angeles-based NPR affiliate KCRW. “I think that scholarship and scientific inquiry are, by definition, secular practices.” Behdad is leading the effort to help fund visiting scholar positions for Afghans at UCLA.


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Recent Podcasts

Image for An Introduction to Arabic ManuscriptsAn Introduction to Arabic Manuscripts

An intensive online workshop featuring leading authorities on the study of Arabic manuscripts.

Image for After Sudan: Hajj Hamad and the Search for the Horn of AfricaAfter Sudan: Hajj Hamad and the Search for the Horn of Africa

A lecture with Alden Young (UCLA)

Image for Khatibi and His Jews: Constructions of the Figure of the Jew in Abdelkébir KhatibiKhatibi and His Jews: Constructions of the Figure of the Jew in Abdelkébir Khatibi's Writings

A lecture with Brahim El Guabli (Williams College)

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