John L. Esposito, Bridge-Builder Between Islam and the West, Passes Away

For more than half a century, while many spoke of a clash of civilisations, John L. Esposito chose to build bridges. Through dozens of books, research projects, encyclopaedias, and the dialogue spaces he founded, the American academic became one of the most influential voices in explaining Islam to the Western world. Now, that bridge has lost one of its chief architects.

John L. Esposito, the Georgetown University professor whose work shaped the perspectives of generations of students, journalists, academics, religious leaders, and policymakers on Islam, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86. The news was shared by Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, a longtime friend and founder of the Sound Vision Foundation, who previously chaired the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

According to Mujahid, Esposito’s wife, Jean, confirmed that he died at 2:00 PM local time due to complications following a stent procedure several days earlier. Details regarding funeral arrangements and memorial services will be announced at a later date. Condolences quickly poured in from across the Muslim world, including from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Amid the news of his passing, a report circulated among American Muslim academics and figures. Dr Abdullah bin Hamid Ali of Zaytuna College stated that he received information that Esposito had pronounced the shahada at the residence of Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, witnessed by the Sheikh’s wife.