Zeki Saritoprak

Zeki Saritoprak is a Professor and Endowed Chair in Islamic Studies at John Carroll University's Department of Theology and Religious Studies. He has held this position since 2002 and serves as the inaugural holder of the Beddiuzzaman Said Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies. His academic work focuses on Islamic Spirituality, interfaith dialogue, and contemporary Islamic thought, with a particular emphasis on promoting peace and reconciliation among religious traditions.

Dr. Saritoprak earned his PhD from Marmara University, Turkey. He has been a leader in interfaith initiatives, co-chairing the Midwest Catholic Muslim Dialogue and participating in the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue. He founded and advises the Muslim Student Society at JCU and actively supports minority students through campus initiatives.

His research explores Islamic theology, Sufism, and eschatology, with notable publications including Islamic Spirituality (2018) and Islam's Jesus (2014). His work bridges traditional Islamic scholarship with modern societal challenges, addressing topics like migration, religious dignity, and nonviolence.

Dr. Saritoprak's contributions extend to global religious discourse through writings on the Gülen Movement, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's teachings, and Quranic perspectives on peacebuilding. He is currently researching Islamic Eschatology, further enriching scholarly understanding of end-times narratives in Islam.