Thesis Defended!
Author: Jayakumari Nair | Major: Arabic, Asian Studies, Middle East Studies | Semester: Spring 2025
Hello! My name is Jaya Nair and I am a senior in Fulbright, majoring in Arabic, Middle East Studies, and Asian Studies. This semester I finished my thesis, working with my thesis advisor, Professor Rania Mahmoud from the department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. My thesis was entitled “Limitless Waqf”. This project explored the use of Islamic charitable endowments (waqf) beyond their traditional religious roles, as instruments of colonial resistance, sources of legitimacy, and as avenues for social mobility. I defended my thesis in April of 2025 and the process was such an amazing experience!
My interest in waqf began about a year ago in Arab Civilization with Professor Mahmoud, where a class reading introduced me to the topic of waqf and its potential for providing economic agency to women. That initial spark led me to explore waqf’s multifaceted role in social services, resistance to colonial rule, and community development. These intersections of religion, justice, and public life became the foundation of my thesis and will continue to shape my academic interests.
Over the course of this academic year, I’ve had the opportunity to engage deeply with Islamic history and legal thought, translating portions of texts and connecting them to broader historical and social contexts. The research and translation process, while challenging, was rewarding and enriched my understanding of how religious institutions can function as dynamic tools for social empowerment, serving not only Muslim communities but benefiting diverse populations across time and place. I was especially fascinated by the adaptability and resilience of waqf as a framework, and how it could be reimagined to support justice and equity in today’s world. During the Spring semester, I really focused on wrapping up my thesis and getting it ready to present. It was a busy time, but also one of the most rewarding parts of the whole process. I met with my advisor, Professor Mahmoud, every week, and those meetings became something I truly looked forward to. She gave me space to ask questions, talk through ideas, and get helpful feedback when I hit a roadblock. I am truly grateful for the time and dedication that she provided for me and her willingness to come alongside me in this project. It wasn’t always easy, but seeing how far the project had come by the end made all the hard work feel completely worth it.
Defending my thesis was such a meaningful moment, it brought together months of hard work, growth, and a lot of learning. I am also grateful for my thesis committee and their time. They gave me such great feedback that will help me in future research. The whole experience really pushed me, especially with research and translation, but it also reminded me why I love this kind of work. Diving into the world of Islamic institutions and seeing how they connect to social justice and marginalized communities showed me that this is something I want to keep exploring. As I look ahead to graduate school, I hope to pursue further research, with a focus on the intersections of Islamic institutions, social justice, and marginalized groups through a historical lens. My experience with this project has solidified my passion for academic research and inspired me to explore how historical frameworks like waqf can inform contemporary discussions on equity and empowerment. This project has truly been one of the most important and rewarding parts of my time as an undergrad, and I’m so grateful for everything it taught me. Thanks so much for following along!