Why did you get involved with AAR and how is your work aligned?
I first got involved with AAR as a graduate student at Harvard Divinity School. At the time, I saw it as a way to build community across a relatively small subfield. Over time, I came to also appreciate the annual gathering as an opportunity to deepen my learning and provoke new questions. As I matured professionally, I began to see it as an opportunity to support my peers and colleagues, by providing my own insights and learnings to help enrich them, just as they have enriched me.
What is your area of expertise or field of study?
I was trained as a historian of early modern South Asia, and my dissertation focused on the formation of the Sikh tradition. Specifically, I examined the Puratan Janamsakhi, the earliest account of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhi. Because of the immense diversity in the period that I study, and because Sikh Studies has relatively little infrastructure here in the US, my advisers encouraged me to train in multiple languages and traditions. This guidance served me well: my first job out of college was a tenure-track job in Islamic studies; I then began teaching Buddhist history at Union Seminary; and I now lead an organization—the Aspen Institute's Religion & Society Program—that focuses on advancing religious pluralism for all.I like to think that I've contributed to the Institute's mission by writing a book demystifying Sikhism, The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform You Life. I hope my book and work help provide much needed access and insights to an often misunderstood tradition, and I hope it also helps open up a world of ideas for people who might benefit from them as I have.
How has AAR been beneficial to you and your career?
There are many ways in which AAR has helped enhance my life and career, and the one that stands out most is the friendships and relationships it has helped me nurture. As I mature, I continue to learn that this is the most magical part of what it means to be human, and that, ultimately, it's what we cherish most in our lives. I'm so grateful to AAR for connecting me with people who have become my closest friends, as well as with others whom I admire and continue to learn from.
What book is on your nightstand that you're reading or intend to read in the future?
The unfortunate truth is that there's not just one book on my nightstand waiting to be read. There's a whole stack of books, all of which have my enthusiasm but have not yet received my attention. The book I'm most eager to read and that's next on the list for me is actually written by a friend and a former TA of mine at Columbia - Haroon Moghul. It's called Two Billion Caliphs: A Vision of a Muslim Future. I enjoy his blend of intellect and lived experience (and humor!), and I look forward to reading this book.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I have two young daughters, so my favorite activities these days is simply hanging out with them. We play soccer, go swimming, read books, and this summer, our second home will be the Bronx Zoo. In addition to family time, I really enjoy running and watching sports. And like many in this group, writing is both a professional commitment and a hobby that gives me joy. Creative writing is increasingly becoming part of my daily practice. Sometimes my hobbies and passions collide and result in fun project, like my children's book, Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon.