PUTRAJAYA July 16, 2026 — Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday expressed profound grief over the death of Professor John L. Esposito, one of the world’s leading scholars of Islam and a close personal friend for more than five decades.
Esposito, 86, passed away on July 15, 2026. A distinguished University Professor at Georgetown University, he was widely recognized as a pioneering voice in Islamic studies and interfaith dialogue.
In a heartfelt statement posted on X, Anwar described Esposito as “one of the world’s foremost scholars of Islam” and a dear friend he first met in the early 1970s.
“John built the intellectual foundations for a deeper understanding of Islam in the West,” Anwar wrote. “His contribution to the cause of Muslim-Christian understanding was enormous.”
Esposito founded the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in 1993 and served as its founding director. He authored or edited more than 35 books, including the influential Islam: The Straight Path (1988) and Islam and Politics (1984), both of which became standard references in the field and went through multiple editions.
He also edited major reference works such as The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World and co-authored Makers of Contemporary Islam with John Voll and Who Speaks for Islam? with Dalia Mogahed — the latter gaining particular prominence after the September 11 attacks.
Anwar highlighted Esposito’s role in challenging misconceptions and fostering dialogue at a critical time:
“He built bridges where others were content to build civilisational barriers.”
The Prime Minister recalled Esposito’s generosity in private conversations and his steadfast support through the years. “John stuck with me through thick and thin,” Anwar noted, adding that he valued the scholar’s counsel for decades.
On behalf of Malaysia, Anwar extended condolences to Esposito’s wife Jean and his family, colleagues, and students, expressing hope that “his scholarship and the dialogue he spent his life building continue to bear fruit.”
News of Esposito’s passing prompted tributes from academic and Muslim organizations worldwide. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described him as “internationally respected” and one of the foremost scholars on Islam and Muslim-West relations.
Esposito was born on May 19, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York. He earned his Ph.D. under prominent Islamic scholar Isma’il Raji al-Faruqi and previously taught at the College of the Holy Cross, where he chaired the Department of Religious Studies.
His career was marked by leadership roles, including serving as president of the Middle East Studies Association of North America. He advised international bodies and contributed to public understanding of Islam through media and educational initiatives.
Anwar’s statement was accompanied by personal photographs showing the two men together at academic and diplomatic events, underscoring their long-standing friendship.
Professor John L. Esposito’s death marks the loss of a major intellectual figure who dedicated his life to promoting mutual understanding between Muslim and Western societies. Tributes continue to pour in from scholars, students, and leaders across the globe.
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