Mehnaz M. Afridi has a B.A. and MA in Religious Studies from Syracuse University and has studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is pursuing her PHD at the University of South Africa on Mahfouz and Modern Egypt. Although Muslim, she has had a deep interest in Judaism and Modern Jewish Diaspora that has led her to numerous exciting interfaith conferences, invitations by non-Muslims to expound on the intellectual and theological similarities between Jews and Muslims. Her extensive background in both Jewish and Islamic thought and culture has led to numerous prestigious research grants and fostered the development of courses in Jewish and Islamic Studies programs.

She is involved in interfaith initiatives in Los Angeles with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of ethics in conjunction with the Islamic Center of Southern California. She is the lead Muslim Participant and Presenter at the annual face-to face dialogues. In addition, she presently on the board of directors for the Saba Trust Education and Welfare society to direct and plan educational bridges between Americans, Pakistanis and interfaith conferences. She is also very active on the board of directors for the Arava Institute as well as the Raoul Walleberg Institute of Ethics based in Malibu, California.

She has taught at Syracuse University, Hamilton College, Antioch College, National University, American Intercontinental University and Loyola Marymount University, she has also been working with the New Jersey Scholars at the Lawrenceville School.  Born in Pakistan, raised in Europe, educated in the United States and Israel, Professor Afridi brings a global perspective to exploring the issues of Islam in the modern world. 

She lives with her husband and two children in southern California.