The passing of John L. Esposito is a painful loss at a time of growing division
John L. Esposito, a Georgetown University professor of religion and Islamic studies, died at age 86 after complications from heart surgery. He was known for promoting interfaith dialogue and countering Islamophobia through extensive scholarly work and public outreach. His legacy is recognized by leaders and academics worldwide for fostering Muslim‑Christian understanding.
- ▪John L. Esposito died at 86 following heart surgery complications.
- ▪He taught religion, international affairs, and Islamic studies at Georgetown University and authored or edited more than 50 books on Islam.
- ▪Esposito, a devout Catholic, used his background to bridge Muslim and Christian perspectives and advise U.S. officials on Middle‑East issues.
- ▪Prominent figures such as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Canadian journalist Haroon Siddiqui praised his contributions to interfaith understanding.
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| Original publisher | The Globe and Mail |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-john-l-esposito-painful-loss-growing-division/ |
| Publication time | Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-07-24T10:07:36.524Z |
| Last seen | 2026-07-24T10:07:36.524Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
ShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountAmira Elghawaby is a human rights advocate and Canada’s former special representative on combatting Islamophobia.There were both fans and critics alike of the late John L. Esposito, and among all of them were those who believed he was a secret Muslim.It’s a rumour the renowned academic would recount somewhat bemusedly, often mentioning Canada as its source.It wasn’t true, yet it symbolized how unusual and meaningful his life’s work had become. His contributions to interfaith dialogue at a time of growing division are now a legacy we all stand to gain from.Prof. Esposito died a devout Catholic following complications from heart surgery earlier this month.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Globe and Mail.