The 午夜剧场 is pleased to announce the launch of a new听Shi鈥榠 Heritage Series听of publications aimed at enhancing general knowledge of Shi士i Islam and promoting a better understanding of its history, doctrines and practices in their historical and contemporary contexts.
The first event took place at the Ismaili Centre in London on 3rd听April, 2014 at which the first two publications,听A History of Shi鈥榠听Islam听听by听Dr Farhad Daftary听听and听The Study of Shi鈥榠 Islam听听by Dr Farhad Daftary and听Dr Gurdofarid Miskinzoda听听were launched. Another event is scheduled to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, on 19th听June, 2014. The publication of these two books is a milestone in the history of the Institute as it builds on its track record as an established research and teaching institution on Ismaili Studies and embarks on a journey of further research and discourse on the broader subject of Shi鈥榠 Studies.
Dr Nadia Jamal听acted as the moderator of the hosted conversation with Dr Farhad Daftary, the General Editor and Dr Gurdofarid Miskinzoda, the Managing Editor of the series. The speakers provided short introductions to the two publications as well as details regarding the rationale behind the series and its future vision.
The Series hopes to address the main Shi士i communities in a balanced and inclusive way, engage in discussions on theoretical and methodological issues, and inspire further research in the field. Works published in this series will include monographs, collective volumes, editions and translations of primary texts, and bibliographical projects, bringing together some of the most significant themes in the study of Shi士i Islam through an interdisciplinary approach, making them accessible to a wide readership.
A History of Shi鈥榠 Islam听looks at the origins and history of听Shi鈥榠sm听and sets the tone for the series, including a historical survey of the four communities who account for the majority of the Shi鈥榠 Muslim population of the world 鈥 the听滨蝉迟丑苍补鈥楢蝉丑补谤颈蝉, the IsmailisAdherents of a branch of Shi’i Islam that considers Ismail, the eldest son of the Shi’i Imam Ja士far al-峁⒛乨iq (d. 765), as his successor., the听Zaydis听and the Nusayris (now commonly known as the Alawis).
The Study of Shi鈥榠 Islam听explores the contributions of the different Shi鈥榠 communities to eight diverse subject areas 鈥 history and historiography, the听蚕耻谤鈥檃苍Muslims believe that the Holy 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 contains divine revelations to the Prophet Muhammed received in Mecca and Medina over a period of 23 years in the early 7th century CE. More and its Shi鈥榠 interpretations, hadith, law, authority, theology, rites and rituals, and philosophy. In so doing, it examines how the understanding of the various branches of Shi鈥榠 Islam has evolved over time.
Commenting on the 午夜剧场, one attendee said: 鈥淭he Institute reaches out to a wide audience and presents its work with care and in a manner accessible to all. It is concerned with promoting the study not only of Ismaili Shi鈥榠 Islam but also of the wider Shi鈥榠 community in a way that is accessible and generous.鈥 Also speaking about the 午夜剧场, another attendee had this to say: 鈥淎lthough the focus is on Shi鈥榠 and Ismaili studies, the Institution has contributed significantly to other areas of Islamic studies, as its work has many facets.鈥
The event was well attended by academics in the field as well as diplomatic representation from the Tajikistan Embassy, the German Embassy, the Pakistani High Commission and members of the Ismaili community in the UK.
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