Author: Edward E. Curtis IV

Edward Curtis is an author, speaker, and professor at Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Revised Edition of Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History

The Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History was published originally as a two-volume set from Facts on File in 2010. The revised edition appeared in 2022 as part of Infobase’s K-12 and higher education electronic resources for use in schools, colleges, and libraries; it features dozens of revised entries as well as new content on comics, Michigan City, Humayun Khan, Shahid Khan, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Ilhan Omar, Linda … Continue reading Revised Edition of Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History

Edward E. Curtis IV

Historical Consulting and On-Air Work for Muslim Road Trip

The Great Muslim American Road Trip is a three-part series that airs nationally on PBS in July, 2022. I consulted on historical content with Alex Kronemer, the show’s director; appeared as on-air talent, mostly in the first episode; and then reviewed the historical accuracy of each episode of the series. You can see all of them on PBS. Continue reading Historical Consulting and On-Air Work for Muslim Road Trip

Edward E. Curtis IV

Arab Indianapolis Documentary Now Streaming

Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History, directed and produced by local filmmaker Becky Fisher and shot by Vinnie Manganello, reveals a new chapter in the diverse history of central Indiana. It explores the first Arabic-speaking neighborhood in Indianapolis, the founding of St. George Church in the 1920s, the establishment of a prominent Arab American business on Monument circle, the service of Arab Americans in World War … Continue reading Arab Indianapolis Documentary Now Streaming

Edward E. Curtis IV

Arab Indianapolis Book of Stories & Photographs

An accessible, intimate look at the oft-neglected history of Arab Americans in Greater Indianapolis who have made a remarkable impact on the region since the late 1800s. Order here or at your favorite local book store. From establishing local businesses to working in the fields of health care and education, Arab Americans have made indelible contributions to the cultural vitality, economic growth, and social fabric … Continue reading Arab Indianapolis Book of Stories & Photographs

Edward E. Curtis IV

$250,000 Grant to Prevent Discrimination against Africana Religions

I am proud to join Professors Danielle Boaz (UNC Charlotte) and Youssef Carter (UNC Chapel Hill) as co-principal investigator in a multi-year project, funded by the Religion and Theology Program of the Henry Luce Foundation, that amplifies community efforts to prevent discrimination and violence against practitioners of Africana religions. The first stage engaged practitioners of African ancestral religions and members of Black and African Muslim … Continue reading $250,000 Grant to Prevent Discrimination against Africana Religions

Edward E. Curtis IV

New Arab Indianapolis Heritage Trail

Take a Self-Guided Tour of the Sites along the Arab Indianapolis Heritage Trail! Click on this link to Clio.Com. The Arab Indianapolis Heritage Trail there will give you directions to each stop along the route and tell you why the site is important. It is possible to walk from the Historic Syrian Quarter to Monument Circle, the Indiana War Memorials, Mass Ave, and the Indiana … Continue reading New Arab Indianapolis Heritage Trail

Edward E. Curtis IV

Muslims of the Heartland: How Syrian Immigrants Made a Home in the American Midwest

The American Midwest is often thought of as uniformly white, and shaped exclusively by Christian values. However, this view of the region as an unvarying landscape fails to consider a significant community at its very heart. Muslims of the Heartland uncovers the long history of Muslims in a part of the country where many readers would not expect to find them. Edward E. Curtis IV, … Continue reading Muslims of the Heartland: How Syrian Immigrants Made a Home in the American Midwest

Edward E. Curtis IV

Arab American Heritage Month 2021

It was a busy and fun Arab American Heritage Month for me. I tweeted @EdwardECurtisIV every day of the month about Arab Americans in Indianapolis and other parts of the state. Among the highlights were two original maps charting the growth of Syrian-owned grocery stores from 1915 to 1940 designed by Jeffrey Wilson, professor of geography and Associate Dean for Research at the IU School … Continue reading Arab American Heritage Month 2021

Edward E. Curtis IV

Concluding My Service to the Journal of Africana Religions

After a decade of work to create a viable journal devoted to the study of religion in Africa and the African diaspora, I told my board last week that I was ready to step down. It is a good time for me to do so since the journal is in an incredibly strong position. In addition to co-founder Sylvester Johnson, its editorial team now includes … Continue reading Concluding My Service to the Journal of Africana Religions

Edward E. Curtis IV

First Mini-Documentary for Arab Indianapolis is Released

It was so much fun to work with Vinnie Manganello, chromapros.com, on the trailer for ArabIndianapolis.Com, my community history project on the contributions of Arab Americans to Greater Indianapolis. IUPUI Honors student Mickey Yoder and Prof. Paul Mullins provided invaluable assistance on the historical content for the piece. We shot the stand-ups on a Sunday morning and then finished the voice-overs later. I found the … Continue reading First Mini-Documentary for Arab Indianapolis is Released

Edward E. Curtis IV