Categories : Field-specific (academic)

The Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo (Tobunken) will host a lecture by Dr. Lloyd Ridgeon (University of Glasgow) on “Denominational Dynamics within Futuwwat Literature of the Medieval Period in Anatolia and Iran” on January 20 (Sat). Those who are interested in participating in the event are cordially invited to register in advance by January 17 (details below).

Lecture Title:
“Denominational Dynamics within Futuwwat Literature of the Medieval Period in Anatolia and Iran”

Speaker:
Dr. Lloyd Ridgeon (Reader in Islamic Studies, the Department of Theology, University of Glasgow; https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/staff/lloydridgeon/)

Date and Time:
January 20 (Sat), 2024, at 16:30-18:15 (Japanese time)

Venue:
The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, 3F Conference Room No. 2 (東京大学東洋分館研究所3階、第二会議室), and online via Zoom.

Lecture Abstract:
By the medieval period, the futuwwat associations had developed in a form of “second-class” Sufism. The authors of the majority of futuwwat treatises of the period were composed by adherents of a Sunni madhhab, yet it is of note that their works betray no overt hostility to the Shi`a tradition – in fact what is most noticeable is the promotion of a form of ʿAlidisation. This may be explained by similarities in Sufi-Shi`i dogma, and the presence of influential Shi`i individuals round political leaders. This presentation examines eight individuals/futuwwat-nāmas to help elucidate whether or not there exited a tension at the heart of society between these two denominations in Islam.

How to Participate:
Please fill in the form at https://forms.gle/rXR5BKtu2WHw4eZW7, by Jan 17, at 24:00 JST.

Contact Person: Naoki Nishiyama (nishiyama[at]ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp)

Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Monotheistic Religions (CISMOR), Doshisha University will host a lecture by Dr. Lloyd Ridgeon (University of Glasgow) on “Madhhab-i `ishq (The School of Love): Rūmī and the (Non)-Representation of Shi`ism in 13th Century Anatolia” on January 12 (Fri). Those who are interested in participating in the event are cordially invited to register in advance by January 9 (details below).

Lecture Title:
“Madhhab-i `ishq (The School of Love): Rūmī and the (Non)-Representation of Shi`ism in 13th Century Anatolia”

Speaker:
Dr. Lloyd Ridgeon (Reader in Islamic Studies, the Department of Theology, University of Glasgow; https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/staff/lloydridgeon/)

Date and Time:
January 12 (Fri), 2024, at 16:00-17:45 (Japanese time)

Venue:
Doshisha University, Imadegawa Campus, Neisei-Kan, 3F, Room No. 35 (同志社大学今出川校地 寧静（ねいせい）館 3階 ３５番教室), and online via Zoom.

Lecture Abstract:
During the 13th century Sufism became increasingly popular in the Islamic heartlands, to the extent that it became a “normative” and perhaps the most common expression of Islam. One of the most celebrated exponents of Sufism is Rūmī (d. 1273) and his “School of Love” helps to explain for the relative absence of denominational conflict between Sunnis and Shiʿas at this time. By examining the context of Sufism in the 12th and 13th centuries, and investigating Rūmī’s poetic works (such as his voluminous Dīwān and the Mathnawī), and in particular, where he references specific individuals, events or groups of people held sacred by the Shi`as, it is possible to ascertain the significance that major Sunni-Sufis attributed to the Shi`i communities and their beliefs.

How to Participate:
Please fill in the form at https://forms.gle/mX8mzJofcP1a2DDx6, by Jan 9, at 24:00 JST. For those who will participate online, Zoom URL will be provided by Jan 10 (Fri).

Contact Person: Naoki Nishiyama (nishiyama[at]ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp)

Call For Papers: The Ninth Annual Conference on Shi’i Studies

The Islamic College invites abstracts to be submitted for its ninth conference on Shi‘i studies. This conference provides a broad platform for scholars in Shi‘i studies to share their latest research. Papers are welcome on any aspect of Shi‘i studies.

This year’s conference will be an in-house only programme. Researchers will be invited to present their papers in-person at The Islamic College. A limited number of partial travel grants are available to presenters.

Conference date: 11 May 2024
Location: The Islamic College, London, UK
Abstract submission deadline: 31 January 2024