Religious Diplomacy

Since September 11, 2001, Americans have put forth great effort into improving cross-cultural understanding, so as to strengthen relations with people of diverse cultures and religions. These studies and policies are not only beneficial in expanding the cross-cultural footprint of our university graduates but are essential to the development of America’s future and global leadership, overall. As the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza continue to rage on, creating a shift in the balance of world powers, and as the increase in refugees and immigrants create problems in Europe and America, the stereotypes and misunderstandings that are based on religion and culture remain existent. The ability to distinguish religiously based practices from those that are purely cultural is critical. Both Morocco and Southern Spain “Andalusia” have rich historical legacies that exemplify religious and cultural practices of the people, who have co-inhabited these lands for centuries. This course will help students understand and embrace the struggles implicit to globalization. It will likewise afford increased insight into the complex challenges that exist today between Europe and Muslim countries across the Mediterranean, as well as identify causes of extremism and the necessity to build relationships between the Muslim world and the U.S. This study program will deepen participants’ understanding of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic practices, as well as cultural traditions that exist in these societies. Perhaps most importantly, however, it will provide first-hand experience of the cultures, faiths, and daily activities of religious adherents, and the complex cross-cultural landscapes they inhabit. Participants will learn the history and witness interfaith and inter-spiritual relations in the daily lives of people in these societies, while interacting with professors, students, diplomatic and religious leaders, from across traditions and walks of life. Participants will explore the concept and importance of inter-religious and inter-cultural diplomacy, and visit rich historic sites, all while enjoying the beauty, food, and hospitality of both countries.

This study abroad course will be highly experiential and will allow students to engage in daily activities where they will get firsthand knowledge of numerous diplomatic, historical, and religious sites in Spain, and Morocco. This will give students a unique perspective on the history of world empires, religions, languages, and diplomacy. Students will experience interreligious and interfaith elements present in daily life in Spain and Morocco and in each setting will meet with Spanish and Moroccan diplomatic, community, and religious leaders from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish traditions. The religious and diplomatic experiences in these two countries will cumulatively give students experiential and practical skills in Religious Diplomacy.

As we explore the religious landscapes of Southern Spain and Morocco, students will have the opportunity to visit Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues in the key cities of Cordoba, Seville, and Granada Spain. In Morocco, they will follow a comparable itinerary in Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaoun, Fez, Rabat, and Casablanca. Across this range of settings, students will have the opportunity visit the Baroque Cathedral, the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba Complex, the Granada Mosque, the Moshe Niahon Synagogue (or other synagogue in Spain/Morocco) and al Qarawiyyin Mosque. Complementary activities will give students further insight into the complexity of the cultural, historic, and religious dynamic of Spain and Morocco through guided tours of these same cities, as well as more focused visits to significant locations; for example: Torre De Calahorra, Parque de Maria Luisa, Plaza de Espagna, the Alhambra Palace, tomb of Ibn Battuta, Grand Socco and the Kasbah of Udays, and the Old Medinas and Mellah of Tetouan, Rabat, Fez, and Casablanca. In processing this range of experience, students will likewise have the opportunity to engage in a one-day conference in the city of Rabat, Morocco, which will particularly focus on religious diplomacy skills. This multi-faith forum will be conducted by CECF and will give students the opportunity to meet with other students, as well as a broader range of religious and diplomatic leaders.

Dates

May 6 – 25, 2026

Enrollment limit

20 students

Course fee

$4595

Included in the course fee:

• Shared lodging in hotels, travel between course locations in Spain and Morocco, two meals a day, tours, and international health insurance.
• Airfare from Washington DC to Madrid and Casablanca and back to Washington DC is included in the course fee.

Not included in the course fee:

• Airfare to Washington DC, several meals, and souvenirs.
• Students will have the option to participate in a three-day trip to Washington DC prior to traveling to Spain and Morocco. As a group, we will explore the intersection of American government, religion, and diplomacy as well as visit key sites in Washington DC that help facilitate international religious freedom. These costs are not included in the course fee.
  
  

LAI requirements: APW

Contact the faculty to apply

Sana Tayyen at sana_tayyen@redlands.edu or 909-307-7653.