The Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage

In 2022, the Acton Institute launched the Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage to explore Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives on the foundations of a free and virtuous society. The center holds conferences around the world, publishes books and articles, and creates other resources to lead a global conversation and advance understanding of contributions from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on questions of liberty, economics, and human flourishing.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims comprise over half the world’s population and look to their faiths for guidance above all other sources. The Collins Center acknowledges both the commonalities and differences between these faiths. Despite many commonalities, discord and animosity often divide Jews, Christians, and Muslims, sometimes leading to prejudice, violence, legal inequalities, and other injustices.

But that is not the full story in the long histories of the Abrahamic faiths. Rather than decrying the role of religion in society, the Collins Center sees great opportunity to find solutions to better the world from within these religious traditions.

Virtuous values and sources of inspiration are under attack all across the globe, and there is virtually no space for respectful and honest dialogue. The Collins Center is a fulfillment of the vital role that the Acton Institute plays in a world in dire need of civil discussions.

History

Thanks to the generosity of Gilbert I. Collins and family, the Acton Institute is launching the Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage to explore insights from the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions on the foundations of a free and virtuous society. The Center will hold conferences around the world, publish books and articles, and create other resources to lead a global conversation and advance understanding of contributions from Abrahamic traditions on questions of faith, political economy, and the social order.

Objectives

Rather than decrying the role of religion in society, the Collins Center sees great opportunity to find solutions to better the world from within these religious traditions. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have produced many of the greatest thinkers in world history, and these rich intellectual and moral traditions contain insights that maintain great relevance and value in addressing current challenges facing humanity.

Because the virtues and sources of positive inspiration are under attack all across the globe, there is virtually no space for respectful and honest discussions. The Collins Center is a fulfillment of the vital role that the Acton Institute plays in a world that is in dire need of civil discussions.

Current Programs

The Collin Center’s current and recent programs include:

Jewish, Christian, and Muslim fellowships for Acton University and other Acton programs | The Collins Center brings leaders from the Abrahamic faiths together for respectful dialogues.
The Majlis at Acton Institute | A monthly seminar series started in 2020 for influential Muslim scholars and leaders on topics related to Islam and liberty, now with 100 members.
Abrahamic Relations: History, Challenges, and Prospects | A Sept. 2022 conference in Madrid, Spain, with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim speakers presenting on the history of interreligious relationships and a path forward.
Islam & Economics: A Primer on Markets, Morality, and Justice | This book is now available in English, Arabic, and Pashto. Currently, 1,000 copies in Pashto are being distributed in Afghanistan.
The Islamic Case for Liberty | An online conference in 2022, promoting principles of freedom to a Muslim audience.

Testimonials

“Thank you very much for offering us the experience of Acton. To say that we benefited tremendously would be an understatement. I came to Acton because I had been attending the online Majlis webinars. These sessions [focus] the discussion on Islam in the modern age and are much needed . . . I appreciate Acton’s commitment to sponsor these events. Aside from the discussion, it has also introduced us to some of the leading scholars today. I hope this program (Majlis) continues to grow. I also appreciate Acton’s commitment to introduce an interfaith component in its annual conference.”

Sabeeha Rehman

“As part of the Muslim contingent, I was deeply impressed with the quality of the Muslim participants gathered there. The range of skills and expertise represented within the Muslim group was heartening to experience. Mustafa Akyol and Nathan Mech were incredibly gracious hosts who, assisted by Colson Parker and Farah Adeed, made us feel extremely welcome and appreciated. I was also thrilled to learn more deeply about various economic and philosophic models from a Christian perspective, which further enriched my understanding of my own faith’s position on these issues. Over the past several months, I have participated in a number of events organized by Acton’s Majlis initiative. Each time I have been struck by the content, structure, speakers, and the quality of discussions that have ensued. I find myself enriched and inspired by every conversation and am extremely grateful to be part of such rigorous and intellectually stimulating programs. These are the kinds of conversations that need to be facilitated in the broader Muslim world, and I hope that participants of the Majlis program will consider broadening these discussions among their various constituencies.”

Mehlaqa Samdan

“As this was my first experience with Acton, I have to admit I was unsure of what to expect. What I found was extremely uplifting, stimulating, and thought-provoking. I was genuinely impressed and improved by the intellectual and religious diversity of the participants; moved by the openness and welcome embodied by organizers, administrators, teachers, as well as fellow participants; and impressed by the ability of all to handle tough, nuanced conversations.”

Haroon Moghul

Stats

2,385

Engaged audience since 2022

Countries represented

1,193

International participants

50%

Participants receiving scholarships

$3,000,000

Endowment

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