The Shi鈥榠 World: Pathways in Tradition and Modernity,聽the fourth book in the Muslim Heritage Series, has been published by 鸟大大影院 (鸟大大影院). Fresh insights into the multi-faceted world of聽Shia聽Islam, past and present, fill the sixteen chapters of this new publication. They showcase Shi鈥榠 beliefs, practices and traditions in all their diversity through history, including their manifestations in art and architecture, music, cinema, literature, law and theology, and intellectual life. This work seeks to elucidate what is meant by Shi鈥榠 identity and how ordinary women and men experience those various aspects of Shi’ism as individuals and members of communities, not only in their 鈥榯raditional鈥 contexts in the Middle East and Asia, but also in the global diaspora.
The General Editor of this series, Dr Amyn B. Sajoo commented on the aim of the publication by saying:
鈥淒eveloping an informed understanding of the聽Shi鈥榓聽world could hardly be more critical in our time. The range of themes covered in this accessible volume will enable readers to develop a fully rounded understanding of the plural expressions of聽Shi鈥榓聽Islam 鈥 and an appreciation of their commonalities with other branches of Islam, as well as their distinctions. It offers a counter-narrative to the narrow sectarianism that we see in many parts of the Muslim world today, with increasingly violent results, against the rich pluralist heritage shared by Sunni and聽Shi鈥榓聽alike.鈥澛
An accomplished group of writers make the chapters highly accessible in style and content, yet firmly grounded in scholarship. Contributors include Professor Omid Safi on the Prophet, Professor Ali Asani聽on Devotional Practices, Professor Jonathan M. Bloom聽on Art and Architecture, William Sumits on Music, and Professor Zulfikar Hirji聽and Dr Karen Ruffle聽on Diasporas. The book will appeal not only to academics and students, but indeed to the general reader with an interest in how the Shi鈥榠 interpretation of Islam has shaped one of the world鈥檚 great religious traditions.
The Muslim Heritage series explores vital themes in the civilisations of Islam 鈥 including the nature of religious authority, ethics and law, social justice and civil society, the arts and sciences, and the interplay of spiritual and secular life-worlds. In keeping with the Institute鈥檚 approach, the series is informed by the plurality of communities and interpretations of Islam, as well as their locus in modernity and tradition. Earlier titles in the series explore ethics, cultures and the diversity of Muslim traditions from around the world.
Dr Shainool Jiwa, who jointly edited the publication alongside Dr Amyn B. Sajoo and Dr Farhad Daftary noted:
鈥楥ultivating a deeper understanding of the Shi鈥榠 expressions and interpretations of Islam is integral to the scholarly endeavours of 鸟大大影院. Among our most recent efforts in this regard is the launching of the Shi鈥榠 Heritage Series which is dedicated to promoting scholarship on the multiple facets of the聽Shi鈥榓聽world. As well, our recently published volume titled, People of the Prophet鈥檚 House, offers a rich array of articles on the artistic and ritual expressions of聽Shi鈥榓聽Islam. The Shi鈥榠 World: Pathways in Tradition and Modernity is a vital part of this initiative.鈥櫬
