The Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World is a major research program housed within the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. The project conducts high-quality public policy research, and convenes policy makers and opinion leaders on the major issues surrounding the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world.

The Project seeks to engage and inform policymakers, practitioners, and the broader public on developments in Muslim countries and communities, and the nature of their relationship with the United States. Together with the affiliated Brookings Doha Center in Qatar, it sponsors a range of events, initiatives, research projects, and publications designed to educate, encourage frank dialogue, and build positive partnerships between the United States and the Muslim world.

The Project has several interlocking components:

• The U.S.-Islamic World Forum, which brings together key leaders in the fields of politics, business, media, academia, and civil society from across the Muslim world and the United States, for much-needed discussion and dialogue;
• A Visiting Fellows program, for scholars and journalists from the Muslim world to spend time researching and writing at Brookings in order to inform U.S. policy makers on key issues facing Muslim states and communities;
• A series of Brookings Analysis Papers and Monographs that provide needed analysis of the vital issues of joint concern between the U.S. and the Muslim world;
• An Arts and Culture Initiative, which seeks to develop a better understanding of how arts and cultural leaders and organizations can increase understanding between the United States and the global Muslim community;
• A Science and Technology Policy Initiative, which looks at the role that cooperative science and technology programs involving the U.S. and the Muslim world can play in responding to regional development and education needs, and in fostering positive relations;
• A “Bridging the Divide” initiative which explores the role of Muslim communities in the West; and
• A Brookings Institution Press Book Series, which aims to synthesize the project’s findings for public dissemination.

The underlying goal of the Project is to continue the Brookings Institution’s original mandate to serve as a bridge between scholarship and public policy. It seeks to bring new knowledge to the attention of decision-makers and opinion-leaders, as well as afford scholars, analysts, and the public a better insight into policy issues. The project is supported through the generosity of a range of sponsors including the Government of the State of Qatar, The Ford Foundation, The Carnegie Corporation, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, and the Institute for Social Policy Understanding. Partners include the U.S. Institute of Peace, The MacArthur Foundation, the Joan Shorenstein Center, American University, RAND Corporation, the Education for Employment Foundation, the USC Center for Public Diplomacy, and Unity Productions Foundation.

The Project Conveners are Ambassador Martin Indyk, Dr. Peter W. Singer, Professor Shibley Telhami, and Mr. Bruce Riedel. Dr. Stephen R. Grand serves as Project Director, and Mr. Hady Amr is the Director of the Brookings Doha Center.