Nasser Rabbat

Nasser Rabbat is the Aga Khan Professor and Director of the MIT Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture. His work focuses on Islamic art and architecture, urban history, heritage studies, Arab history, contemporary Islamic art, and post-colonial criticism. He holds academic appointments at MIT and has previously taught at institutions such as Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich and New York University Abu Dhabi. Rabbat has published over 100 articles and several influential books, including Mamluk History Through Architecture (2010) and Writing Egypt: Al-Maqrizi and His Historical Project (2023). His research often explores the intersection of political power and architectural expression in medieval Islamic contexts. Rabbat’s current projects include a history of Mamluk Cairo and an edited volume on Syria’s cultural history.

His research interests emphasize critical engagement with colonial narratives and the role of architecture in shaping historical memory. Notable awards include the British-Kuwait Friendship Society Prize (2011) and fellowships from institutions like the Getty Center and the American Academy in Rome. Rabbat advises on architectural projects in the Islamic World and serves on cultural organization boards. His teaching spans courses like 'Islamic Architecture,' 'Orientalism and Colonialism,' and 'Urban History.'

Recent publications address topics such as urbicide in Syria and the reconstruction of cultural heritage post-conflict. Rabbat’s work bridges academic scholarship with public engagement, including contributions to Arabic media and participation in the Aga Khan Award for Architecture Steering Committee.