Natana J. Delong-Bas

Professor of the Practice

Department of Theology

Profile

Professor DeLong-Bas is an expert on Islam, the Middle East, Islamic law, women and gender, and terrorism and extremism. Professor DeLong-Bas’ research focuses on Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, issues related to Islam and women and gender issues, especially family law, religious extremism, and terrorism, particularly Al-Qaida and ISIS. Delong-Bas is writing a book called, Shariah: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2017). She is President of the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies and Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Women; her book Wahhabi Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad was named “1 of the 5 best books for understanding Islam” by the Wall Street Journal. She serves as a consultant to the United Nations, the media, and U.S. and international governments and corporations and has worked for the RAND Corporation. Dr. DeLong-Bas has appeared on the BBC World while her expertise has been utilized by the Boston Globe and Associated Press; her research has been cited in The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. Her Op-Ed pieces on contemporary issues in Islam and Christianity have been published in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Her work has been translated into Arabic and Russian.