Syed Rizwan Zamir

Syed Rizwan Zamir is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Davidson College, with affiliations in the South Asian Studies program. His academic career bridges Shi’i Islam, Islamic ethics, and South Asian religious traditions, alongside comparative studies in Christianity and Islam. He has taught courses spanning Islamic theology, Sufism, religious modernity, and cross-cultural explorations of 'a good life.'

• Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia
• B.A. from James Madison University and University of Punjab
• Advisors: Prof. Sachedina, Prof. Ochs, Prof. Daniel Flage

His research focuses on Shi'i hermeneutics, ethical implications of worship, and intersections between myth and history. Recent publications include analyses of oral and written Qur'anic interpretations in South Asia and Sufi poetic traditions. Collaborative projects with colleagues examine Christian-Muslim dialogues through thematic and textual comparisons.

Key trends in his scholarship include Islamic narrative ethics, ecological perspectives in religious texts, and modern reinterpretations of sacred stories. He also co-edits the online journal Al-Sidrah and contributes to academic organizations like the Society for the Study of Muslim Ethics and the American Academy of Religion.

Dr. Zamir previously served as faculty advisor to the Muslim Students Association and co-organized Davidson’s unofficial cricket club. He also offers tutorials in Urdu and South Asian studies, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary and experiential learning.