Shii News – Zoom: ‘Rūmī and the (Non)-Representation of Shi`ism in 13th Century Anatolia’ (L Ridgeon, 12.1.24, 16.00 Tokyo time)

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)

Posted in: Field-specific (academic)