Alumnus Khan Shairani named US Department of State Critical Language Scholar
University of Notre Dame alumnus Khan Shairani, who received his doctorate in peace studies and history from the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies in May, has been selected for the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship Program.
Shairani, who is interested in the intersection between religion and peace, completed his dissertation examining the intellectual legacy of two 18th-century Islamic scholars from the Mughal and Ottoman empires who transformed the epistemologies of classical Islamic thought in response to internal and colonial challenges. In particular, he explored how Muslims could navigate tumultuous times by reengaging and reviving their tradition.
His other research interests include colonialism and post-colonialism, Islamic theosophy and representations of Muslims in film.
Shairani received his undergraduate degree in Arabic and Chinese from Williams College and his master’s degree in Islamic studies from Harvard Divinity School. While at Notre Dame, he was a translator and instructor for the Madrasa Discourses program. He also founded the Graduate School club Film Lovers of International Cinema, which introduces intersectional and diverse cinema to students.
Shairani’s research has been supported by the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship as well as Notre Dame’s Nanovic Institute for European Studies, Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies and Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. He has also received the Qasid Annual Scholarship for the study of Quranic Arabic in Jordan.
As a Critical Language Scholar, he is currently studying Persian.
“The Critical Language Scholarship for Persian will help me advance my skill set and Indo-Persian texts, an important source for historical information on the Indian subcontinent,” Shairani said. “This will be essential for engaging critical sources for understanding and producing scholarship on the early modern period in South Asia.”
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to 10 weeks abroad studying one of 13 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.
This year’s cohort of approximately 500 scholars was selected from a pool of more than 5,000 applicants. Recipients come from all 50 U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and include students from more than 200 institutions of higher education, including public and private universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, military academies and minority-serving institutions.
“We congratulate Dr. Shairani on receiving this prestigious award that will expand his already impressive linguistic skills and disciplinary expertise,” said Michael Skalski, associate program director for the Graduate School’s Office of Grants and Fellowships. “The Critical Language Scholarship Program, like other similar fellowships, helps our researchers not only to develop their professional skills, but also to become the sought-after experts in regional languages and cultures. Combined with the training Notre Dame offers, our alumni are well equipped to become a force for global good.”
For more on this and other scholarship opportunities, visit cuse.nd.edu (undergraduate students) or graduateschool.nd.edu/graduate-training/research-communication/the-office-of-grants-and-fellowships/ (graduate students).
Latest ND News Wire
- Notre Dame celebrates new pope; Father Dowd offers prayersRev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, offered his prayers for Pope Leo XIV, elected by the College of Cardinals today in Vatican City as the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church.
- Clare Cullinan named valedictorian, Bennett Schmitt selected as salutatorian for the Class of 2025Clare Cullinan of South Bend, Indiana, has been named valedictorian and Bennett Schmitt from Jasper, Indiana, has been selected as salutatorian of the 2025 University of Notre Dame graduating class. The 180th University Commencement Ceremony will be held May 18 (Sunday) in Notre Dame Stadium for graduates and guests. During the ceremony, Cullinan will present the valedictory address, and as salutatorian, Schmitt will offer the invocation.
- Notre Dame’s Fightin’ Irish Battalion receives Department of Defense award as nation’s top Army ROTC programThe United States Department of Defense honored the University of Notre Dame’s Army ROTC Fightin’ Irish Battalion as the nation’s top Army collegiate program for the 2023-24 academic year. This will be the first time the unit has received the department’s Educational Institution Partnership Excellence Award, which recognizes the program’s achievements in recruiting, educating, training and commissioning leaders of character to be the next generation of military officers.
- Senior James Reintjes named 2025 Yenching ScholarUniversity of Notre Dame senior James Reintjes has been named a 2025 Yenching Scholar. He is one of 114 Yenching Scholars overall, representing 40 countries and regions around the globe. He is Notre Dame’s 12th Yenching Scholar and its 9th since 2018.
- Junior Cade Czarnecki named 2025 Phi Beta Kappa Key into Public Service ScholarUniversity of Notre Dame junior Cade Czarnecki is among 20 recipients of a 2025 Key Into Public Service Scholarship from Phi Beta Kappa. He is Notre Dame’s fifth Key Into Public Service Scholar since the program was established in 2020.
- Alumnus Charles Yockey named 2025 Schwarzman ScholarUniversity of Notre Dame alumnus Charles Yockey has been named a 2025 Schwarzman Scholar. He is the University’s second Schwarzman Scholar since the program was established in 2015. He is one of 150 students selected for the award from a pool of nearly 5,000 applicants. Schwarzman Scholars…