Abstracts

November 30

Panel 1: Chaired by Professor John Walbridge, 9:15 am- 10:45

First Speaker: Abdul Rahim Afaki

“Death of an Icon and Death as an Icon: Iconicity of the Karbala Martyrdom and its Socio-Political-Cultural Significance in the Context of Muslim South Asia”

Had human existence been absolutely mundane and temporal, the lifeworld-narrative would have ended as a tragedy. The tradition of revealed religions makes it sure that the spirituality of human persona survives the experience of death metamorphosing the lifeworld-narrative from an obvious mundane tragedy into an anticipated divine comedy. Martyrdom is an extremely venerated form of human death in the nexus of Islamic tradition, as a martyr is one who sacrifices one’s life for a religio-moral or -social cause knowing that one is doing so selflessly. The word Icon comes twice in the title: the first one designates the chief martyr of Karbala, a representamen of revolutionary hero as worthy of veneration; and the second one signifies the death of that revolutionary as an eternal triumph of the freedom-expression against the political suppression. Drawing upon Peirce’s theory of Icon, this paper accentuates the socio-political-cultural importance of the Iconic martyrdom in Karbala and its conventionalization in terms of the Indian-specific ritualization of the Shi‘ite religious symbols. It shows how the Karbala-martyrdom as a lingual expression connotes solely in Iconic terms without bothering primarily with its historical truth/untruth whatsoever. This paper argues how out of their feeling of love for these Iconic martyrs, South Asian Shi‘ite Muslims invent various Iconic ritualization in order for mourning the Karbala-martyrdom in many terms.

Second Speaker: Ali Ahmad Rasekh

“Bipartite Deputyship: Shia and Non-Juristic Political Leadership”

Deputyship is the bedrock of leadership in the Twelver Shiite Occultation period, theologically. In this period, the jurists were gradually recognized as the Imam's deputies, apart from a lack of consensus about the areas that deputyship would cover. Despite al-Mufīd’s and al-Murtaḍā’s efforts in the fifth/tenth century, the significant absent and ignored issue from Shiite political literature has been the political deputyship whose examples were not the jurists. Outsider scholars doubted the Shiite politicality, surprisingly. Consequently, almost all the literature produced in Arabic, English, Persian, or other languages about the Shiite community’s leadership during the last decades revolves around the jurists. In this paper/presentation, I bring forth the bipartite deputyship in which there are two categories of the Imam’s deputies leading the Shiite communities rather than one. Accordingly, all political and military issues are managed by the king, amīr, or the like, and the jurists overlook the judicial branch. Using the bipartite deputyship, I argue that any kingdom or state respecting Shiite law is an Islamic monarchy or other form of state in its Shiite technical term. Here, I survey two categories of the Shiite political systems from its early centuries in Iraq to modern Iran, where the compound deputyship has been dominant in practice and theory. The legitimizing source of the system lies in Shiite religiopolitical thinking.

Third Speaker: Syeda Neda Qadri

“Religious Revival and Cultural Identity: The Role of Shia Islam in Countering Global Homogenization”

In today’s rapidly globalizing world, there’s growing concern about the potential loss of unique cultural identities due to a process known as “western hegemonization.” This process involves global influences and dominant cultural forces making diverse cultures more alike. This study aims to investigate to what extent Shia Islam, led by Iran, resists this trend by preserving its distinct identity in a globalized world where cultures are blending and diminishing. It’s worth noting that Iran embraces technological globalization for scientific advancements like cloning while protecting its social fabric from Western influences. This research employs an interdisciplinary approach to thoroughly investigate the historical and contemporary dimensions of religious resurgence within the Irani Shia community. The study draws upon a diverse range of sources, including existing literature, historical records, and modern case studies, to address three key areas: first, it examines the Irani Shia community’s endeavors to maintain its cultural identity amidst globalization; second, it explores the importance of international networks and online communities in preserving diaspora cohesion; and third, it analyzes the pivotal role of religious revival as a strategic means of preserving cultural identity in our interconnected and increasingly uniform globalized world.

Panel 2: Chaired by Dr Negar Partow, 11:00 am- 12:30 pm

First Speaker: Mashal Saif

“Between History and Memory: Contemporary Pakistani Shi‘a ‘Ulama’s Reflections on Modern Politics and Sectarian Harmony”

Recent scholarship on Pakistani Shi‘ism draws on a historical archive that it primarily textual: books, journal articles, pamphlets, etc. authored by Shi‘a ‘ulama and notables. However, as the historian Pierre Nora reminds us, history is different from memory. Complementing recent historical examinations, this paper asks a distinct yet related question: What is Pakistani Shi‘a ‘ulama’s memory of the past? Specifically, how do contemporary ‘ulama remember and conceptualize democratic and authoritarian governments, and how do they conceptualize their present, considering their minority status and sectarianism. In answering this question, this paper at times challenges and at other points supplements and reinforces the textual archive through the creation of a new oral history archive based on interviews with leading Shi‘a ‘ulama. Through undertaking the above-mentioned examination, this paper makes two additional significant contributions: Firstly, the oral history that lies at the heart of this work provides unique insight into the lives and recollections of some of the most prominent Pakistani Shi‘a ‘ulama. Secondly, this paper inaugurates the use of oral history as central to scholarship on Shi‘a ‘ulama and underscores the importance of studying Shi‘a ‘ulama’s memory.

Second Speaker: Leyla H. Tajer

“Exploring LGBTQ Perspectives in Shia Islam: Inclusivity, Diversity, and Human Rights”

This study offers valuable insights into the perspectives on homosexuality within Shia Islam, focusing on prominent scholars and selected social activists. Arash Naraghi (b. 1966),1 among the first Shia scholars to engage with the topic, initially approached it from a secular viewpoint and later sought reconciliation with Islamic teachings. Mohsen Kadivar (b. 1959),2 a Neo-Traditionalist within Shia Islam, displayed an evolving position, moving from considering homosexuality sinful to a more moderate approach. Akbar Ganji (b. 1960), 3 advocating for human rights, passionately supports minority rights, including those of homosexuals. Conversely, Abu al-Qasim Fanaii (b. 1959)4 approaches the issue from a social ethics standpoint, advocating equal rights for homosexuals, regardless of moral acceptance, prioritizing ethics over religious interpretations. These divers’ viewpoints reflect the evolving nature of discussions on homosexuality within Shia theology. The study raises a question: Do these scholars consider LGBTQ rights comprehensively or solely focus on male-male relationships? This exploration highlights the significance of inclusivity and diversity in addressing LGBTQ rights and Shia Islam, promoting further dialogue and understanding between religious teachings and LGBTQ individual’s rights. The perspective of Shia Islam on LGBTQ remains inconclusive. Like other Muslims and followers of Abrahamic religions, they are at the beginning of their journey and need time to reach a theory widely accepted by the majority.

Third Speaker: Zahra Azhar & Moslem Nadalizadeh

“Women's Singing in Shia Imamia Thought: A Revisiting”

The topic of women’s singing has been a subject of extensive debate and contemplation within both Shia and Sunni schools of thought. Despite the scholarly attention, a consensus on this matter has remained elusive, leaving it a contentious issue. In recent times, the rise of equality movements has amplified the dema nd for women’s rights to sing, as it represents their active participation and public presence in society. This article aims to address this question by reevaluating the stance of Shia thought on this matter. This study aims to address a crucial question: Does the existing fatwa of jurists, serving as the primary source of legislation in Muslim countries, actually warrant the prohibition of women from singing when reevaluated within the context of Shia texts and thought? The authors propose that the sources of Shia thought, encompassing the Qur’an, practice, intellect, and hadith, do not exhibit any compelling evidence supporting the restriction of women from singing. Instead, historical barriers to women’s singing rights seem to have originated from governm ent policies, familial and ethnic customs, or other non religious factors that falsely presented the prohibition in a religious guise. To substantiate their hypothesis, the authors conduct an extensive inquiry into the aforementioned sources and meticulous ly analyze juristic citations present in relevant fatwas.

December 1

Panel 3: Chaired by Dr Carl Pearson, 9:00 am- 10:15 am

First Speaker: Alexander Shepard

“The Political Theology of Abdul Karim Soroush”

Dr. Soroush is a philosopher famous for his advocacy of a harmony and possibility of secularism and Islam. This is a hotly debated issue within the Shia world. There are some who advocate for a theocracy, rule of a single enlightened cleric who has the final say in every decision. There are others who advocate a more decentralized system. While still advocating for a religious government, they oppose the consolidation of power under one single authority, and instead favor and checks and balance system with greater power given the electorate. However they still believe in ultimately religious authority of the state, and often believe that a certain amount of religiously mandated laws should be enacted. These debates within Shi’ism define conflict within the Shia world, in particular, Abdul Karim Soroush, a prominent intellectual dissident who initially spent a considerable amount of time within Iran, both as a revolutionary against the Shah, and intellectual who sought to remake Iran into his own image, and now someone who forcefully advocates against the idea of divine right sovereignty. In arguing against the idea of theocracy, Soroush re-interprets many doctrines that have been near universal within Shia Islam for the past several hundred years. However, they are not entirely without precedent. Soroush appeals prolifically to the rich history of philosophy and critical thinking in Islamic intellectual history, and often appeals to the Islamic classical tradition to bolster his reformist and his secularist arguments.

Second Speaker: Negar Partow

“Crossroads of Power: Iran's Geopolitical Game in Central and South Asia”

The ascension of the Taliban in Afghanistan during the 1980s and their subsequent resurgence as the predominant geopolitical force in Afghanistan in the year 2022 has influenced the intricate geo-strategic landscape of Central Asia profoundly. Scant scholarly attention has underestimated the examination of Iran’s evolving response to the emergence of the Taliban in the 1980s and their resurgence in 2022. This article undertakes a critical examination of Iran’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Central Asia and Afghanistan, which has traditionally characterized Iran’s approach as ideologically driven. It posits that Iran’s regional policy toward Afghanistan and Central Asia has undergone a noteworthy transformation, transitioning from a stance of ideological zealot to political pragmatism to one that is firmly anchored in the tenets of major power politics and the pressing imperatives of regional economic advancement. In this altered paradigm, Iran has become increasingly reliant on harnessing China’s vested interest in upholding stability in Central Asia, as well as the broader regional ambitions for economic progress, in order to fortify its deterrence strategies against the encroachment of the Taliban and their ideological influence. As a Shia state, Iran’s politics in Central Asia and particularly in Afghanistan is a great example of secularisation of theology.

Third Speaker: Zainab Naqvi

“Cohesion and Cooperation: Shia Islam and Cultural Practices of South Asia”

In South Indian regions the oral Dravidian folklores insert Shia personages as benefactors in the legends of local goddesses. Goddess Yellamma, known to be banished by her husband, gets refuge from the Shia Imams Hasan and Hussain in the renditions. In ‘Oggu Katha’ of Telugu speaking regions, the goddess Mallanna gets closely associated with ‘Bipatma’ which is a corruption of Bibi Fatema in colloquial usage signifying a mother figure. The concept of ‘fateha’ in which prayers are recited on food items with the belief that the food ascends to the dead, is wholly a Hinduism driven practice of Shraddha and has no precedent in the Arab world. Similar is the practice of Mehendi which is part of the mourning ritual for Qasim, son of Hasan known to have been married a night before the Ashura, the day of his martyrdom. Mehendi is a natural dye used to stain hands red, is a very important nuptial practice of South Asia not found in the Arab world. The paper aims at analysing the cultural interchange and reciprocity of the Shia identity and practices in the South Asian subcontinent and the social processes therein. Over the years Shia practices have assumed deep cultural traits of the regions in which they were practised. The paper analyses how these traits are not a one-way reception but rather a reciprocal process between the diverse communities and Shia Islam.

Panel 4: Chaired by Alex Shepard, 10:30 am- 12:00 pm

First Speaker: Seyed Amir Asghari

“Beyond Wilāyat al-Faqīh: Ṭabāṭabāʾī’s Interpretation of Islamic Political Philosophy.”

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of Ṭabāṭabāʾī’s approach to political philosophy in Shia Islam, contrasting it with Wilāyat al-Faqīh and Khomeini’s interpretations. It starts with al-Fārabī's role in shaping Muslim political thought and then examines Ṭabāṭabāʾī’s views on governance as a concept rooted in social relationships and intellectual considerations (al-iʿtibārīyāt al-ʿaqlīya). This approach, emphasizing justice and collective responsibility, diverges notably from Khomeini’s jurisprudence-based governance theory. The study also explores the influence of Ṭabāṭabāʾī’s Shia and mystical-philosophical background on his political idea, drawing parallels with al-Fārābī’s philosopher-king concept. The paper concludes that while Ṭabāṭabāʾī’s religious and philosophical ideas gained Iranian 1979 post-revolution prominence, his insights into governance remain largely unacknowledged in contemporary discourse.

Second Speaker: Tasmia Tahira

“Pakistan Military's Narrative of Inclusion: Making Sectarianism Invisible”

Sectarian identities (Sunni/Shi’a or otherwise) are like any group identity. They are far too complicated for a black-and-white definitions and fixed binaries. The use of religious sect as an identity marker in the institutional settings of the Pakistan military is viewed negatively. Although the identity of Pakistan military institution is rooted in the Islamic ideology, it has historically maintained a relatively secular identity. Shunning sect and religion as an identity marker is presented as a fundamental good and worthwhile for the whole military institution. Its discourse of inclusiveness is aimed to influence the way people view the military as an institution. This article explores the Pakistan’s military’s contentious narrative of inclusion discouraging sectarian and religious identity markers.

Third Speaker: Matiullah Tareen

“The Shi’a fight from Balochistan: The Economy of Sectarianism”

On the name of Islamic ideology, Pakistan was carved out from the Hindu dominated British India in 1947. Within the quagmire political and ethnic divide, General Zia in late 1970s used Islamization as a remedy to unite the diverse ethnic and political groups in the country. This Islamization was strengthened with the Jihad in Afghanistan against the former Soviet incursion. As result, Pakistan received huge funding from the US and Arab states, leading to establishment of large number of Sunni dominated religious madrasas in the country. The dominance and promotion of Sunni narratives and the happening of the Shia Iranian revolution simultaneously, fueled the sectarian divide in the country. Balochistan being in contrasting geographical and cultural proximity with the Sunni dominated Afghanistan and Shia dominated Iran, suffered the most of an unending deadly sectarian riots and killings in the province. This presentation will illustrate the root causes of sectarianism in Balochistan in details.