YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Naira Sahakyan, assistant professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), has recently published two scholarly contributions in internationally recognized academic outlets.
Dr. Sahakyan co-authored the chapter “Armenia” in the Yearbook of Muslims in Europe, Volume 17 (Brill, 2026), together with Dr. Sevak Karamyan. The chapter examines the evolving dynamics of Islam and Muslim communities in Armenia, focusing on public debates, transnational links, legislative frameworks, and demographic developments. In addition to mapping the religious landscape, the study critically assesses regional political contexts, including Armenia’s relations with Iran and the impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, thus offering an up-to-date, analytically rich overview of Islam in Armenia.
Alongside this chapter, Dr. Sahakyan also published a book review in Diyâr, a peer-reviewed journal for Ottoman, Turkish, and Middle Eastern Studies. Her review examines Mehmet Polatel’s monograph Armenians and Land Disputes in the Ottoman Empire, 1850–1914 (Edinburgh University Press, 2025). The review highlights the book’s contributions to understanding land, violence, and nationalism in the late Ottoman period, while offering a critical assessment of its methodological choices and engagement with diverse sources.
As Dr. Sahakyan notes, this book is an important contribution that can be included in the reading list for the Armenian History course at AUA, as it examines different yet highly significant aspects of the causes of the Armenian Genocide. While the monograph is a substantial scholarly work, this review also provides a concise and accessible overview that students can read with ease to deepen their understanding of the core arguments and historical dynamics it addresses.
Importantly, both publications not only represent significant research achievements, but also directly support Dr. Sahakyan’s teaching in AUA’s religion and history courses, demonstrating how academic research and classroom instruction can meaningfully complement one another. By integrating cutting-edge scholarship into her teaching, Dr. Sahakyan offers students an opportunity to engage with current debates and newly emerging perspectives in the field.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.