Chiara Formichi

Chiara Formichi, an Associate Professor in Southeast Asian Studies at Cornell University and author of "Islam and Asia: A History," discusses the need to rethink the historical narrative of Islam in Asia. She emphasizes the importance of local contexts and the rich cultural dynamics of regions like Kashmir and Indonesia. Formichi also shares insights on her personal experiences along the Silk Road, critiques the polarization between Islamic and Asian studies, and highlights the complexities of conversion and cultural exchange throughout the region's history.