Ph.D., 1984 Political Science, University of Colorado in Boulder,
M.A., Political Science, University of Colorado,
B.F.A., Fine Arts, University of Colorado,
Type A1 Teacher, K-12,
PhD Dissertation Title: “A Comparative Study of Western Democratic Political
Theory and Islamic Political Theory”

Dr. Jane Biddle Merritt El-Yacoubi (known as Amar) was born and raised in an early American family often referred to as, “the First Family of Philadelphia”. She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where she met, and married Dr. Hassan Hasan El-Yacoubi. It was there and then that she had a calling from God to Islam. She explains that when she converted to Islam she dedicated her life to learning the culture, the language and the religion of her original essence. It was a journey of “coming home”. She is now fluent in Arabic and French, in addition to her native English language. She edited and coauthored nineteen books on Islamic subjects with her husband. They traveled frequently back and forth between Boulder , Fairfax Station, Virginia, and many countries in the Middle East . From her studies and travels, she has gained a rich understanding of the multicultural world of Islam. Her insights into the unity and splendor of this faith cross cultural, ethnic, racial, national and religious boundaries and denominations.

Currently, Dr. Jane is a professor at Strayer University in Manassas , Virginia .