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General HIU News
HIRR Study Finds America’s Megachurches Have Rebounded Strongly After the Pandemic
July 9, 2026
Five years after COVID-19 disrupted religious life across the country, America’s largest Protestant churches have not only recovered—they are reporting renewed vitality, financial strength, expanding ministry, and growing optimism about the future, according to a major new study released by Warren Bird and Scott Thumma, retired professor of sociology of religion and former director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research (HIRR) at HIU.
Faculty In The News
Journal of Interreligious Studies Publishes Issue on 'Teaching Palestine/Israel'
July 6, 2026
In this new issue, the Journal of Interreligious Studies (JIRS) serves as a space for a critical, constructive, and generative conversation about how to teach and organize events on university campuses regarding Palestine/Israel. The publication elevates the level of dialogue surrounding the teaching of this topic.
General HIU News
Hartford International University Hosts Second Annual Ghadeer Conference
June 23, 2026
Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, in collaboration with the Imam Ali Research Center, convened its second annual Ghadeer Conference on June 4 and 5, marking a significant expansion of its commitment to Shi‘a studies in North America.
General HIU News
HIU Dedicates Children's Story Grove in Memory of Beloved Librarian Marie Rovero
June 17, 2026
On Thursday, June 11, Hartford International University gathered in the library to dedicate a new space created for the youngest members of its community: the Children's Story Grove, a corner for reading, drawing, and play established in memory of longtime library staff member Marie Rovero and in honor of MT Winter.
From the Blog
Chaplaincy
A Day in the Life of a University Chaplain: Standing at the Dawn of Becoming
A reflection on the role of a Muslim university chaplain, exploring the intersections of faith, service, and companionship in supporting students as they navigate the challenges of growth, identity, and belonging. The post A Day in the Life of a University Chaplain: Standing at the Dawn of Becoming first appeared on Religion & Peace.
Building Interfaith Communities
Interfaith Table: Recipes & Stories for Interfaith Dialogue
When I was assigned the challenge to grow our weekly newsletter subscribers, I got stuck, I must admit. What could we offer that felt genuinely valuable? What would make someone click and want to stay? It had to be something that embodied HIU. The post Interfaith Table: Recipes & Stories for Interfaith Dialogue first appeared on Religion & Peace.
Building Interfaith Communities
Case Studies in Coexistence, Part 3 – Structured Pluralism in Practice: Istanbul and the Ottoman Millet System
Analyze the Ottoman Empire's millet system in Istanbul — an elaborate framework for governing religious difference. Learn how structured pluralism allowed for durable, yet unequal, interfaith coexistence. The post Case Studies in Coexistence, Part 3 – Structured Pluralism in Practice: Istanbul and the Ottoman Millet System first appeared on Religion & Peace.
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