In the literary traditions of Islamic literatures (first of all in Arabic and Persian, but even in Malay),泭Imam泭Ali b. Abi Talib泭has become the protagonist of narrative events that make him the heroic prototype of the struggle between Good and Evil. This lecture will try to trace the origins of this heroic model focusing on some verses dedicated to the first泭Shiite泭Imam泭by the poet al-Sayyid al-Himyari (105/723-179/795), initially known as the literary spokesperson of the泭Kaysaniyya泭sect, then allegedly converted to Imami Shiism. Through the literary character of泭Imam泭Ali as featured in his poetry, it is possible to consider that al-Sayyid al-廎夕myaris role is as controversial as it is fundamental for the understanding of some aspects of the historical shift from泭Kaysaniyya泭to Imamite Shiism.
Date:泭8 December 2022 Time:泭5.00 pm 6.30 pm GMT Location:泭Aga Khan泭Centre and online (Zoom)
Q&A:泭At any time during the lecture, attendees can submit questions to the speaker through the Q&A option at the bottom of the control panel. As time allows, the speaker will address as many questions as they can during the Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
Recording:泭Please note that the session will be recorded and published on the 敁珗曄部 website, and on the 敁珗曄部 YouTube channel.
Discussants:泭Dr泭F璽r癡s泭Gillon泭(The Institute of Ismaili Studies);泭Dr Orkhan Mir-Kasimov (The Institute of Ismaili Studies)
Professor Leonardo Capezzone
Leonardo Capezzone is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, Sapienza-University of Rome, Department of Oriental Studies, where he teaches History of the Islamic world and Cultural History of Medieval Islam. His interest is in the cultural and religious history of medieval Islam, with a special concern with the history of early 釦堯勳i莽鳥See Shia. and other expressions of religious and intellectual dissent in the Islamic Middle Ages.
