Salwa Tareen is primarily interested in issues of religion, gender, and the politics of care in Muslim South Asia. Situated at the intersection of these broad themes, her current work focuses on Islamic charitable organizations in Karachi, Pakistan. Despite significant rates of poverty, Pakistan is regularly named as one of the most charitable nations in the world by international research groups. While many attribute this level of generosity to practices of Zakat and Sadaqah within the Islamic Republic, others criticize the local religious charities who receive such offerings as simply self-interested or even extremist. When the activities of these organizations are examined more carefully, however, a more nuanced understanding of care, welfare, and gendered labor comes to light.
Before arriving at Boston University, Salwa completed her Bachelor of Arts at Kalamazoo College and Master in Theological Studies at Harvard University. During her time at Harvard, she was awarded the Dean’s Summer Internship Award in order to explore issues of charitable giving and religious fundamentalism in Pakistan in collaboration with a local social advocacy organization.
In addition to academic research, Salwa is a published poet and essayist. Her creative writing seeks to explore the intersection of language, identity, and power. Salwa’s work has appeared in Muslim Women Speak, Kajal Magazine, The Aerogram, and Protest Magazine, among others.
She is currently a Writing Fellow with the Core Curriculum.