Ashura

The Life & Legacy of Imam Hussain

Books
Life of Imam
Farthest Lote Tree
Welcome to the 2023 Workshop on Ashura and the Life and Legacy of Imam Hussain at the Harvard Divinity School’s Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs. This is the second round of an ongoing series of workshops on Ashura which are held on an annual basis. New video lectures and content will be developed and added here each year.

The workshop provides rich multimedia content, and required reading & viewing materials include:

  • Academic Lectures

  • Narrative reconstruction of the life story of Imam Hussain

  • Hadith portal showcasing narrations from Imam Hussain

  • Qur'an portal on verses in the Qur'an about Imam Hussain

  • Short stories teaching the philosophy of Ashura in engaging and creative formats - from fantasy to science fiction

  • Further academic reading, recommended sources, documentaries, & TV series

Workshop Schedule

The content of the 2023 edition of the workshop is organized in three parts, each part contains multiple recorded lectures and sessions.

  • Part I: “The Foundations,” which examines historical and methodological approaches in the study of the life of Imam Hussain
  • Part II: “Philosophical and Theoretical Discussions on Ashura” 
  • Part III: “Regional and Local Variations: Approaching Case Studies of Muharram Culture and History”
  • As review and a resource, the first three Sessions of the Shi’a Islam and Politics workshop at Harvard, which focus on the doctrinal roots of Shi’ism and the philosophy of Ashura, are provided throughout the duration of the workshop.

 

Note: There are no time-limited sessions, and no content will be removed until the beginning of July 31st. There are no live sessions as part of the current workshop.

 

This workshop, as part of our larger research track on Ashura at Harvard, is sponsored by the Jaffer Family Foundation of New York in memory of Marhum Mustafa Jaffer.

Introduction

Lecturer: Payam Mohseni, Director of the Project on Shi’ism & Global Affairs, Harvard Divinity School

Duration: 16 minutes

Part I. The Foundations
Click Here

Click on one of the links below to be taken to a session

Session 1 – An Overview of the Scholarly Study of Ashura and the Life of Imam Hussain

Immersive Learning: The Art & Imaginative Storytelling on the Philosophy of Imam Hussain and Ashura​

Session 2 – Life of Imam Hussain

Imam Hussain through Primary Sources

Session 3 – Historiography and Memory-Interpretation and Meaning-Making in Sources on Imam Hussain

Session 4 – The Legacy of Karbala: Social and Political Reverberances after Ashura in Pre-Modern Islamic History

Session 5 – A Deluge Of Tears: The Conflux Of Persian Shi'i Literature, Ritual, And Identity In Martyrdom Narratives

Session 6 – Imam Hussain, al-Mukhtar and the Origins of Shi’a Representative Politics

Session 1 – An Overview of the Scholarly Study of Ashura and the Life of Imam Hussain

**REVIEW: Shi’a Islam and Politics Workshop at Harvard Video Lectures**
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Lecturer: Payam Mohseni, Director of the Project on Shi’ism & Global Affairs, Harvard Divinity School (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 2 hours

Date Recorded: July 2022

Subject: This session provides a broad overview of the field of Ashura studies from both an Islamic approach as well as a Western academic approach. It consists of discussions of historiography of the event of Ashura, the sayings of Imam Hussain and the Ahl al-Bayt, the philosophy of Ashura and the Imam’s stand, the rituals and practices of mourning for Imam Hussain and Muharram culture, and more.

Readings:
  1. Read the 2 short stories (Burning Every Day and When All the Horses Cried) that can be found below in the Immersive Learning section.
  2. Mahmoud Ayoub, Redemptive Suffering in Islam: A Study of the Devotional Aspects of Twelver Shi’ism (Mouton: The Hague, 1978). Read: “Ch. 2: The Proofs of God,” 53-68; “At the Pool of al-Kawthar,” 197-229; “Appendix: The Master of the Youths of Paradise,” 241-245. Also see the selection: “The Sigh of the Sorrowful,” 141-196. PDFs can be found by going to the Shi'a Islam and Politics review section in Session 2.

Immersive Learning: The Art & Imaginative Storytelling on the Philosophy of Imam Hussain and Ashura

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What is the philosophy of Imam Hussain and Ashura? How is it possible to convey the deep principles of Imam Hussain’s stand in cultural and educational output? The presentation and philosophical incorporation of Islamic values is critical to the conveyance of the meaning and message of Islam and Imam Hussain to broad public audiences and to showcasing the diverse arenas of Islamic civilization for greater mutual understanding. Our researchers working at the Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs have spent nearly two years developing, designing, and writing educational narratives enriched by the core philosophy of Ashura. Some of their writings form a central component of this workshop as case studies to learn, engage, and think about both the meaning of Ashura and the manner of highlighting its philosophy to broad audiences as a form of public education.

A philosophically rich short story imbued with Islamic thought and mystical values, Burning Every Day tells the story of the Sun as she seeks to understand the truth of Ashura and the meaning of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. Follow the Sun’s journey as she finds a unique guide and mystical companions who teach her about the meaning of life and help her understand how the sacrifice of Imam Hussain serves as an eternal light and moral lesson for people throughout time.  The spiritually engaging content of the short story together with the simple prose and captivating narration – brought to life through beautiful hand-drawn illustrations – makes Burning Every Day an endearing and educational work of literature suitable for people of all ages who seek the deeper meaning of their faith.

The story was selected and presented at Harvard University prior to publication.

The Farthest Lote Tree Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a physical, paperback edition of Burning Every Day by Yusuf Ta’er. View the beautiful illustrations draw by Huda Hussein alongside its captivating story on the everlasting message of Ashura and the sacrifice of Imam Hussain, fit for all ages.

Get your copy: Burning Every Day, the #1 New Release in Explore Middle East Books on Amazon.

Such multimedia output is significant whether thinking about materials for youth education (including Sunday schools) as well as curriculum for high school and college courses. Conveying the philosophy of Ashura is important in both Muslim and non-Muslim settings. Whether to deepen the meaning behind ritual practices or raise greater public awareness, these materials can serve as a means of discussion and engagement for individuals of any background wishing to study and understand the life of Imam Hussain and approach public education on Islam for diverse audiences in a multicultural context.

These stories have been published in paperback and as Ebooks by Farthest Lote Tree Publications, a part of The Farthest Lote Tree Foundation. The Farthest Lote Tree Foundation is an American-Muslim civic and educational organization exploring the reimagination of Islamic thought and culture for audiences in multicultural environments. For further discussion of the philosophy of reimagining Islamic education on Ashura, please read the philosophy statement here.

What is the philosophy of Ashura? How does Imam Hussain teach us how to pray? Follow the story of two young horses, Foad and Noor, as they discover the meaning of Muharram through the wise words of their grandfather, Zuljanah. Travel on the life journey of the noble horse of Imam Hussain as Zuljanah takes you through his experience of accompanying the Imam throughout his life, including his journey from Mecca to Karbala – always being at the Imam’s side. This beautifully written short story focuses on the spiritual  awakening of the heart. It is a resonating work of literature that conveys the depth of Islamic philosophy and the principled values of the Imam to broad audiences interested in acquiring meaningful insights on the path of life.

The story was specially selected and presented at Harvard University prior to publication.

The Farthest Lote Tree Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a physical, paperback edition of When All the Horses Cried by Yusuf Ta’er. Listen alongside Zuljanah’s grandchildren as he narrates on his story with the grandson of the Prophet.

Get your copy: When All the Horses Cried

Ebooks for all four of these books by the Farthest Lote Tree Foundation are available not only on on Amazon but also other electronic book stores! To purchase, please see the instructions below:

  1. Make sure you use your  desktop or laptop computer to make the purchase (not the Amazon phone app).
  2. Once on the Ebook page, choose to download to “Kindle cloud reader” and purchase the item.
  3. Your Ebook is now ready to view in your Kindle cloud reader on your computer.
  4. If you would like to read the Ebook on your phone, tablet, or Fire devices, download the free Kindle app. Since you purchased the Ebook on your computer, it should now be viewable on all your devices – no separate purchases required.

If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties, please email us at admin@farthestlotetree.com.

Two Required Readings for the Ashura Workshop: Burning Every Day and When All the Horses Cried

  1. Yusuf Ta’er, Burning Every Day (Del Mar, CA: Farthest Lote Tree Publications, 2022).

After having read the story above, read the Guidebook on Burning Every Day for greater reflection and explanation on the text in order to deepen knowledge on the philosophy of Ashura.

There is also a children’s version of the Guidebook on Burning Every Day available here with learning activities for kids.

Burning Every Day has also been translated into the following languages and available to read:

You can also find the Spanish Guidebook here.

There is also a Spanish children’s version of the Guidebook on Burning Every Day available here with learning activities for kids.

English audiobook coming soon.

        2. Yusuf Ta’er, When All the Horses Cried (Del Mar, CA: Farthest Lote Tree Publications, 2022).

After having read the story above, read the Guidebook on When All the Horses Cried for greater reflection and explanation on the text in terms of the philosophy of Ashura.

When All the Horses Cried has also been translated into the following languages:

Announcing a new book from the Farthest Lote Tree Foundation, Crimson Earth: A Short Story Collection on Ashura! Featuring writers from across the globe and stories across the genre, these people and topics are all tied together by the legacy of Ashura. For a diverse array of literary genres as part of a special collection of short stories on Ashura, see Crimson Earth. These stories range from narratives about love, loss, and tragedy aimed for adult and older audiences, to stories written through the eyes of children contemplating youth involvement on Ashura.

Travel across the ages with Lady Zaynab as she meets with various divine prophets and noble angels in a quest to explain the meaning of Ashura and her timeless statement on Imam Hussein’s sacrifice: “I only saw Beauty!” Witness a young bird struggle to take flight after she gets lost in the forest, encountering dangers and finding new friends who can help her on her journey home–revealing their companionship to the Imam. Crimson Earth, a collection of seven short stories, deals with the theme of Ashura and the mourning for Imam Hussain written by diverse authors. These stories range from narratives about love, loss, and tragedy aimed for adult and older audiences, to stories written through the eyes of children contemplating youth involvement on Ashura.

The stories were specially selected and presented at Harvard University prior to publication. Three of the stories were contestant winners at the Ahlul Bayt Collective 2021 short story call: “A Eternity in a Day,” “Love and Sorrow,” and “I Saw Nothing but Beauty.”

Get your copy: Crimson Earth

Announcing a new book from the Farthest Lote Tree Foundation, The Spiral Clouds! Written by Musafir Zaman, The Spiral Clouds brings the inspiration of Ashura into a science fiction setting with a world in the midst of a revolution.

The dark empire of Nardeban reigns supreme across the land, far into the future. It is an era of repression and terror, with the Cities of Nardeban divided into five vertical levels, with the poor and destitute taking up the polluted and toxic under levels while the wealthy and glamorous live lives of luxury at the top. Only one group stands in their way. The Insurgency, a rebel organization that spawned from the lower levels, threatens to overthrow the tyrannical regime.

The Spiral Clouds series is a five-part science fiction story following the story of this rebellion and its inheritance from the legacy of Imam Hussein and Ashura. It centers on spirituality and the larger purpose behind those who seek to thwart injustice. Enter the world of Nardeban and open the doors of your heart’s imagination to take part in a tale inspired by the sacrifice of Hussein and his message which defies time and space, racing far into the future and far across the stars.

Get your copy: The Spiral Clouds

Ashura and Science Fiction?

How can the philosophy of Imam Hussain and the meaning of Ashura be portrayed in genres such as science fiction? To find out, read the science fiction novel, The Spiral Clouds, by Musafir Zaman, which explores the theme of Ashura through the literary form of science fiction. 

What is science fiction? Is it possible to create Islamic science fiction? Science fiction as a literary genre has been historically closely linked with colonialism. What are the driving factors behind this relationship? If you are interested in exploring these topics and participating in greater discussions of the philosophy of Islam and Western literature and entertainment, please provide your email here to receive updates about private workshops that focus on these salient questions:

Sign-Up: Philosophy of Islam, Western literature, and Entertainment Workshop (google.com).

For a diverse array of literary genres as part of a special collection of short stories on Ashura, see Crimson Earth. These stories range from narratives about love, loss, and tragedy aimed for adult and older audiences, to stories written through the eyes of children contemplating youth involvement on Ashura.

Session 2 – Life of Imam Hussain

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Lecturer: Sarah Mokh, PhD student in Islamic Studies, New York University (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Date Recorded: July 2022

Subject: This lecture will give an overview of the life of Imam Hussain and the members of the Ahl al-Bayt which precede him. It will summarize the intra-communal conflict in the formative period of Islam which culminated in the tragic death of Imam Hussain and his family and companions at Karbala.

Readings: Scroll down to next section below, entitled “The Narrative of the Life of Imam Hussain across Five Eras.”

 

Documentary on Ashura:
Karbala, The Geography of a History

 

The Narrative of the Life of Imam Hussain across Five Eras‍

Beta Version on The Narrative of the Life of Imam Hussain across Five Eras‍ (Del Mar, CA: Farthest Lote Tree Publications, 2022).

A specially researched and written historical narrative work on the life of the Imam undertaken by researchers at the Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs. As an ongoing project, the narrative will be transformed into a book on the life of the Imam. We appreciate all feedback and comments on the literature as the work is under development.

The life of Imam Hussain is generally narrated — if at all — on the last few months of his life, culminating in his martyrdom on the plains of Karbala. However, Imam Hussain was over 50 years old when he was martyred. He was born while the Prophet Muhammad, his grandfather, was still alive, and he was raised in his shadow.

He witnessed the turbulent leadership battles following his grandfather’s death, the political opposition and sharp protest speeches of his mother, Sayyida Fatima, the short-lived caliphate of his father, Imam Ali, and the brief rule and subsequent virtual house arrest of his brother, Imam Hasan.

Through this ongoing work, we are working to bring to life Hussain’s story through a historically rigorous and engaging literary narrative that focuses on the longer arc of the Imam’s life: his character, his values, and how he expressed those in the historical context of his time. His message is as relevant for humanity today as it was during his own historical period. Hussain’s voice was not lost in the year 680 C.E. when he was martyred — it remains an Ark of Salvation and Lamp of Guidance for all those who strain to hear it.

The Life of Imam Hussain narrative has been presented in five distinct parts, which each part containing detailed stories of important events and moments of the Imam’s life:

  1. Imam Hussain and the Prophet Muhammad: The Birth and Early Childhood of Hussain
  2. Imam Hussain and Imam Ali: Fighting Rebellion and Preserving the Secret of Muhammad
  3. Imam Hussain and Imam Hasan: Strategic Patience and Adversity in the Face of Imposed Peace
  4. Imam Hussain’s Imamate: Dignity, Sacrifice, and the Politics of Protest
  5. The Journey to Karbala: The Lamb of Allah, the Greatest Sacrifice, and the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain

Read the Life Narrative of the Imam here:

Visit the Life of Imam Hussain research and educational platform by clicking the icon above or the following link: https://www.lifeofimam.com/

 

SECOND Documentary ON ASHURA:
The Story of Hussain | Battle of Karbala

Imam Hussain through the Primary Sources:

Researching and Learning the Values and Lifestyle of the Imam

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Here, readers can connect with the most important original sources relating to Imam Hussain: the Qur’an and the Hadith. In these unique portals, the words and hadiths of Imam Hussain as well as the Ahl al-Bayt about the Imam are presented with the Arabic original and English translations side by side. This also includes a Qur’an portal in which verses from the Qur’an relating to Imam Hussain are expounded upon and interpretation (tafsir or exegesis) are provided. These efforts are ongoing and the database of Islamic primary sources will be expanded over time.

Hadith of Imam Hussain:

  1. https://gallery.lifeofimam.com/hadith

The Qur’an and Imam Hussein:

  1. https://gallery.lifeofimam.com/

Recommended Reading: Muhammad Sadiq Najmi, From Medina to Karbala: In the Words of Imam al-Husayn, translated by Muhammad Reza Reza Fakhr Rohani (Birmingham: Sun Behind the Clouds, 2012).

Session 3 – Historiography and Memory-Interpretation and Meaning-Making in Sources on Imam Hussain

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Lecturers: Mohammad Sagha, Humanities Teaching Fellow, University of Chicago and incoming Lecturer in Modern Middle East History, Harvard University (affiliation at the date recorded); Sarah Mokh, PhD student in Islamic Studies, New York University (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 1 Hour 53 Minutes

Date Recorded: July 2022

Subject: The legacy of Imam Hussain and the events of Ashura have been one of the most important and long-term impactful events in Islamic history. Ashura has been commemorated on an annual basis for well over a millennium across vast geographies, societies, languages, and contexts. But how have communities cultivated the memory of Hussain and how is the remembrance of his martyrdom related to the historical study of the sources discussing Ashura and Karbala? This discussion will focus on the multiple layers related to the remembrance of Ashura, the historiographical issues related to the primary historical sources, and communal processes of meaning-making for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain over time.

Session 4 – The Legacy of Karbala: Social and Political Reverberances after Ashura in Pre-Modern Islamic History

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Lecturer: Mohammad Sagha, Humanities Teaching Fellow, University of Chicago and incoming Lecturer in Modern Middle East History, Harvard University (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 2 hours

 

Date Recorded: July 2022

Subject: This lecture explores the reverberations of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain in Karbala and the multifaceted ways that Ashura has shaped societies, politics, culture, states, and lived communities in pre-modern Islamic history stretching from Iraq and Persia (Iran) to the Levant, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond. The lecture covers the uprising of al-Mukhtar that saw the killing of many of the killers of Imam Hussain and the sponsorship of Ashura commemorations by the Buyid and Fatimid Empires in the ca. 4th Hijjri/10th CE century. The lecture also touches upon more recent contributions of the Oudh dynasty in South Asia in the 19th century CE as well as discussing the diverse public expressions of transnational Shi’a communities in the contemporary world.

Case Study: Television & Ashura

How can movies and television shows depict the historical narrative of Ashura and convey the philosophy of Imam Hussain’s life? What impact does the experience of watching the re-enactment of the events surrounding Ashura have on viewers? How does cinema as a form of media differ in teaching about Ashura in comparison to literature, poetry, or music? How does cinema compare with taz’iyeh theatrical performances of Ashura? The question of the form of media and the transformation of historical research into artistic representations is of high significance when considering the meaning and impact of ritual and presentation of Muharram culture and the philosophy of Ashura.

Recommended Viewing:

Mukhtarnameh television series (40 episodes) about Mukhtar al-Thaqafi, the immediate aftermath of Ashura, and the killing of Imam Hussain’s killers.

Synopsis: Mukhtar al-Thaqafi is a Muslim leader who wants to take revenge to the murder of Hussain ibn Ali against the ones who he considers the enemies of Islam, not just by killing them but to stand against the government that supports them. He wanted to establish a new government that is guided by the word of justice according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Director: Davood Mirbagheri

Year: 2010-2011

Country of Origin: Iran

 

 
**View the Mukhtarnameh series here in English**

Mukhtarnameh is also accessible in the following languages:

1. Arabic

2. Persian

3. Urdu/Hindi

Recommended Reading:

1. Torsten Hylén, “Emerging Patterns of Authority in Early Shiʿism: al-Mukhtār and the Aesthetics of Persuasion,” Shii Studies Review 3 (2019), 5-36.

2. Payam Mohseni and Mohammad Sagha. The Hidden Imam and the End of Time: A Primer on the Mahdi, Islamic Theology, and Global Politics. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Weatherhead Center for International Affairs’ Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs. June 2022.

Session 5 – A Deluge of Tears: The conflux of persian shi'i literature, ritual, and Identity in Martyrdom narratives

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Lecturer: Dr Paul Anderson, PhD, Harvard NELC, 2021, and recent Lecturer of Persian Liturature at the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 53 Minutes

Date Recorded: July 2023

Subject: This lecture presents the first English in-depth study of one of the most important maqtals (martyrdom narratives) ever written in Persian, the Rowz̤at ol-Shohadā’ (Meadow of the Martyrs) by Ḥoseyn b. ʿAlī Beyhaqī Kāshefī (d. 910 A.H./1504 C.E.). Through the broader lens of the literary apotheosis of a historical figure, Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī (d. 61 A.H./680 C.E.) into an epic hero, I argue that 1) Kāshefī’s text largely changed the landscape of Iranian Twelver Shiʿism by recasting Ḥusayn’s story, resulting in the rise of Persian martyrdom literature; 2) Kāshefī’s decision to compose the book in Persian, instead of Arabic, as well as his incorporation of references from Iranian legend, resulted in a maqtal that was particularly appealing to a Persian-speaking audience; 3) after Kāshefī’s death, the Safavid dynasty encouraged the creation of a mourning cult with the Rowz̤at as its centerpiece. With this, the Safavids laid out their vision for the conversion of Iran to a Persianized Twelver Shiʿism. This dissertation also critiques the concept of syncretism, proposing the paradigm of memory relics as a methodological tool in analyzing the genealogy of religious, linguistic, and socio-cultural interactions without relying on Orientalist constructs of religion.

Session 6 – Imam Hussain, al-Mukhtar and the Origins of Shi’a Representative Politics

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Lecturer: Mohammad Sagha, Lecturer in the Modern Middle East, Harvard University (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 3 Hours 38 Minutes

Date Recorded: July 2023

Subject: This lecture explores the complicated legacy of al-Mukhtar b. Abi Ubayd al-Thaqafi (d. 67 Hijri / 687 Common Era) and the aftermath of the uprising of Imam Hussain. It focuses on the politics of the city of Kufa, the Second Muslim Civil War (fitna) and the memory of Imam Ali still resonant in the city. The lecture explores the long impact of Mukhtar in Shia consciousness and the importance of the ideas of representative governance and the implications of walaya intrinsic to Shia thought and action.

REVIEW: Shi’a Islam and Politics Workshop at Harvard Video Lectures

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Session 1 of 15: Islam and the Emergence of Shi’a Islam

(click on a reading to access it)

High Priority Readings

Recommended Readings

For resources on Twelver Shi’a doctrine and beliefs, see:

Session 2 of 15: Cyclical Time and Karbala

(click on a reading to access it)

High Priority Readings

Recommended Readings

Session 3 of 15: Mahdism and Diversity within Shi’a Islam

(click on a reading to access it)

High Priority Readings

Recommended Readings

Part II. Philosophical and Theoretical Discussions on Ashura
Click Here

Session 7 - Launching Ashura at Harvard and the Importance of Supporting Ashura Studies in America

Session 8 - 'I Saw Naught but the Beautiful': Some Unrecognized Theologies of Ashura

Session 9 - The Multi-Dimensional Aspects of Ashura

Session 10 – Ink Stained with Tears: Karbala Poetry and Its Enduring Impact on Collective Consciousness

Session 11 – Ashura & Imamology in the Mirror of Being

Session 12 – Breaking 'Religion' - Understanding the Imam and the Philosophy of Religion

Session 13 – Usul al-Din and the Secret Garden

Knowing the Imam (AJ) Workshop

Session 14 - The Ziyarat of Imam al-Husayn as Liturgical Text in Early Shi‘i Hadith

Session 7 - Launching Ashura at Harvard and the Importance of Supporting Ashura Studies in Academia

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Lecturer: Nicholas Boylston, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, Seattle University (affiliation at the date recorded)

Date Recorded: March 2022

Duration: 10 minutes

Subject: Nicholas Boylston’s talk at Harvard discusses the field of Islamic studies in western universities and the understudied role of Shi’ism. He covers the importance of Shi’a thought as an integral component of Islamic history and philosophy and suggests paths forward for better integrating more wholistic and pluralistic understandings of Islam within academia.

Bio: Dr. Nicholas Boylston, Assistant Professor at Seattle University, is a scholar of Islamic Studies focusing on Shii Studies, Quranic Studies, Sufism and Persian literature. He received his BA from Harvard College, his MA from the University of Tehran, and his PhD from Georgetown University, and from 2017 to 2021 taught at Harvard University as Lecturer and College Fellow. Dr. Boylston’s research focuses on themes of diversity and unity in the writings of Sufis, philosophers and litterateurs from the Persianate world in both the Twelver Shii and Sunni traditions.

 

Continued Philosophical and Theoretical Discussions of Ashura

While the martyrdom of Imam Hussain on the plains of Karbala is a relatively well known event within Islamic history, much less is written about the philosophy of the Imam, his values, and the beliefs which drove his actions. This module of the workshop seeks to develop and present additional lectures and content materials examining the philosophy of Imam Hussain, the study of Shi’ism within Islamic studies, and the lessons of Ashura for today.

The themes relating to the philosophy of Imam Hussain are rich and manifold. They are centered, in essence, at the heart of Shi’a Islamic thought and beliefs represented by the rich heritage of Islamic thinkers, poets, historians, artists, and leaders who have drawn on the model of the Imam. Below, a non-exhaustive selection of philosophical themes relating to Imam Hussain’s stand at Karbala are mentioned along with a brief description of some themes (not in any specific order):

  • Covenant 

    • According to Islamic worldviews and the Qur’an, human beings had a pre-existence in the dimension or world of “particles” (dharr). Before coming to this world they pledged a covenant with Allah recognizing him as their Lord (Rabb; see Qur’an, 7:172).). According to Shi’a Muslim beliefs, Imam Hussain demonstrated the fulfilling of this covenant and recognizing Divine Sovereignty. There is no power above God’s, according to the Imam, and he sacrificed all he had to stay true to the divine covenant. In contrast, those who did not support Imam Hussain, especially those who claimed love and loyalty to him and/or invited him to Kufa to establish a government, are examples of those who broke their covenants (both to God and to the Imam). The lessons that are sought to be learned are how to not be a covenant breaker and what are the challenges and tests that people face in staying true to their oath.

  • Saving Islam

    • Imam Hussain’s stance and his complete sacrifice of his life was to save Islam. The Umayyad caliph at the time, Yazid, claimed to Amir al-Mu’mineen (the Leader of the Believers) and the successor to the Prophet Muhammad. This was despite his known debauchery, unstable behavior, and extreme propensity for violence and tyrannical power. The Imam prevented the inversion of his grandfather’s values into Yazid’s definition of Islam and demonstrated that righteous men and women could stand down tyranny and preserve the original message of Islam.

  • Ma’rifa

    • True knowledge; shares the same root as irfan. On the plains of Karbala, both sides claimed to be Muslims. Exoterically, on the outside, they looked like practicing Muslims, read the Qur’an, fasted, prayed, and carried out Islamic rituals. But the Imam showed that exterior religion is not sufficient for success in the eyes of Allah. He demonstrated ma’rifa, as many Muslim scholars have argued, by showing the true face and meanings of Islam. The Imam, as a famous hadith (tradition) states is a “Lamp of Guidance and the Ark of Salvation.”

  • Wilayah

    • This term can have multiple meanings including sovereignty, friendship, and nearness/proximity. Within Shi’a Islam, it usually denotes the legitimate successorship to the Prophet Muhammad via a line of Imams starting with Ali, his cousin and son-in-law. Imam Hussain, according to Shi’a belief, was the Wali, or sovereign of his time and the legitimate caliph, not Yazid. 

  • Brightest light in the darkest night

    • According to Shi’a beliefs, Imam Hussain was among the five best of creation (the Panj tan or more immediate Ahl al-Bayt or Ahl al-Kisa (cloak)). He was the last remaining of the Ahl al-Bayt of the Kisa and was a shining example of the best of human morals and guidance. His vicious killing at the hands of the brutal Umayyad caliph Yazid represented a contrast of night and day—hence the Imam was the brightest light in the darkest night. This extreme contrast demonstrated the innocence and justness of Imam Hussain and the moral and human bankruptcy of Yazid according to many Muslim thinkers throughout time.  

  • The Mahdi and Imam Hussain

    • Within most strands of Shi’ism, the Mahdi (the rightly guided savior) is the direct descendent of Imam Hussain. The Mahdi is the future promise of the realization of the Prophet Muhammad’s message. The Mahdi, moreover, will avenge the injustices committed towards Hussain and will aright the wrongs of generations past. The cycle of revolutionary justice sparked by Hussain will therefore, in many ways, be completed by the Mahdi and the realization of a just society and government. 

  • Sacrifice of Isma’il

    • Imam Hussain put his own life on the line in opposing the caliphate of Yazid. But many of his direct family was also threatened and killed in the massacre of Karbala. In the face of the sychophant leaders of the Umayyad governor of Kufa and army head, such as Ubaydallah ibn Ziyad and Umar ibn Sa’d, Imam Hussain did not flinch or trade material security for risking the future of Islam. Imam Hussain’s 6 month old infant son, Ali Asghar, was martyred by an enemy arrow while in the Imam’s hands, drawing parallels to the sacrifice of Isma’il. But while Isma’il was spared his material life, Imam Hussain and his family members were not. Their souls were granted blissful immortality as argued by many Muslims. Imam Hussain himself, therefore, completed the sacrifice of Isma’il—a divine honor bestowed on the Prophet Muhammad who was a descendant of Abraham. In the same line as his forefathers, the Imam sacrificed all he had for Allah and Islam.

  • Tawhid

  • Family

  • Prophecy

  • Suffering & Redemption

  • Salvation

  • Intercession

  • Pilgrimage

  • Prayer (Salat)

  • Usurpation

  • Tawalli & Tabarri

  • Enjoining the Good (al-Amr bi-l Ma’ruf) & Forbidding the Evil (al-Nahi ‘an al-Munkar)

  • Tears, Mourning, and Crying

  • Virtue, Dignity, and True Way of Life

  • Servitude (‘Ubudiyya) & Lordship (Rububiyya)

  • Resurrection & Day of Judgement (Ma’ad)

  • The World (Dunya) and the Afterlife (Akhira)

  • Challenges producing Occultation and hypocrisy between claiming love and religion versus acting upon them

  •  Religion through the model human who has knowledge of the Truth versus religion through subjective interpretation based on whims and ego-centric preferences

Session 8 - 'I Saw Naught but the Beautiful': Some Unrecognized Theologies of Ashura

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Part of a panel on “Studying the Philosophy and Meaning of Ashura in Academia: Historical and Contemporary Issues,” Harvard University, March 2022. Syed Hyder Akbar, Karen Ruffle, and Nicholas Boylston.

Lecturer: Nicholas Boylston, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, Seattle University (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 25 minutes

Date Recorded: March 2022

Subject: Within academia, there has been much research done on Ashura and its centrality in Shi’a Islam. However much of the field has focused on particular communal or ritual manifestations with less emphasis on the rich philosophical and theological interpretations of Imam Hussain’s life and legacy found in diverse Muslim societies throughout time. To move the literature forward, this panel addresses the question: how can the philosophy of Ashura and the values underpinning Imam Hussain’s actions be more deeply understood and investigated in academia from various disciplinary approaches?  How can we study the values, meanings, and philosophy of Ashura? What is the field of Islamic or regional studies lacking in this regard and what can we do as scholars and academics to help rectify these challenges in the state of the field?

Readings:

Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Husayni Tehrani, The Radiance of Imam Husayn, al-islam.org.

Hyder, Syed Akbar. “Iqbal and Karbala.” Beyond Crisis. Routledge India, 2012. 392-420.

Kohi, Sayed Khalil. “The Prominent and Historical Role of the Sunnis in Promoting the Mourning of the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet, Especially Imam Hussain.” Вестник КазНУ. Серия историческая 104.1 (2022): 3-11.

Session 9 – The Multi-Dimensional Aspects of Ashura

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Lecturer: Mahjabeen Dhala, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, Graduate Theological Union (affiliation at the date recorded)


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes


Date Recorded: December 2021


Subject: Ashura marks a significant event in Islamic history and has a profound impact on Shi’a identity and lived experience. In this presentation, the speaker will explore the historical, spiritual, political, social, and inter-religious discourses that emerge from this seventh century episode which are relevant to contemporary concerns for peace and justice.


Bio: Dr. Mahjabeen Dhala is Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. She is also director of the Madrasa-Midrasha program which is an interreligious collaborative research initiative of the GTU. She serves on the steering committee of the Women’s Studies in Religion program and is co-chair of the Ethics Unit of the American Academy of Religion’s western region. Dr. Dhala’s work focuses on female contributions to Islamic thought and institution in early Islamic history and explores their role as scholars, leaders, and activists. In her capacity as religious leader and spiritual guide for over two decades, she has served Muslim communities across the US, Canada, the UK, Africa, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Her wide travels and her rich engagement with diverse communities continues to inform her research on the trials, triumphs, and tenacity of premodern as well as contemporary Muslim women in the global South and North.


Readings:


Hylén, Torsten, “The Hand of God Is Over Their Hands (Q. 48:10): On the Notion of Covenant in al-Ṭabarī’s account of Karbala,” Journal of Qur’anic Studies 18.2 (2016): 58–88.


Deeb, Lara Z. “From Mourning to Activism: Sayyedeh Zaynab, Lebanese Shi ‘i Women, and the Transformation of Ashura.” The Women of Karbala. University of Texas Press, 2021. 241-266.

Session 10 – Ink Stained with Tears: Karbala Poetry and Its Enduring Impact on Collective Consciousness

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Lecturer: Hasnain Walji Ph.D, Executive Director, United Global Initiative (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 55 minutes

Date Recorded: July 2023

Subject: This talk explores the profound impact of some renowned poets writing about  the tragic events of Karbala and how their works have inspired millions of individuals spiritually, socially, and politically.  It examines the role of poetry in capturing the struggle against injustice. The spiritual dimension is explored through the works of Rumi and Chishti, while the socio-political impact is analyzed through the verses of Iqbal, Jallandhari, Anees, Dabeer, and Josh Malihabadi amongst others. The paper highlights the unique contributions of each poet and demonstrates how their poetry commemorates Karbala, instills a sense of collective grief and remembrance, raises political consciousness, and advocates for social justice.  

Additionally, it discusses how the powerful examples set by these poets can serve as an inspiration for poets in English and other Western languages, empowering them to pen verses that resonate with and inspire upcoming generations in the West. By analyzing the enduring influence of these poets, the paper aims to encourage cross-cultural dialogue and the creation of new poetry that addresses the universal themes of justice, resistance, and compassion in ways that resonate with diverse audiences.

Session 11 – Ashura & Imamology in the Mirror of Being

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Lecturer:  Payam Mohseni, Director of the Project on Shi’ism & Global Affairs, Harvard Divinity School (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Date Recorded: August 2023

Subject: How can we understand the centrality of the person of the Imam, and particularly the importance of Imam Hussain in Shi’a thought? This talk focuses on the philosophy of the Imam—i.e., Imamology—in Shi’a Islam and why the medium of the human form and the concept of leadership forms the foundation of centuries of Shi’a thought and organization up until the present. An Islamic Shi’a understanding of epistemology (the ilm and methodology of how to acquire knowledge) cannot be understood without the Imam; therefore, Imamology as epistemology is at the center of the worldview of Shi’a Islam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Session 12 - Breaking 'Religion' - Understanding the Imam & the Philosophy of Religion

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Lecturer: Payam Mohseni, Director of the Project on Shi’ism & Global Affairs, Harvard Divinity School (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes

Date Recorded: September 2022

Subject: What is “religion” and what makes it a discrete entity? This talk explores what the concept of religion means and why it can be a misnomer when discussing Islam. The talk focuses on internal Islamic definitions of religion—focusing on ma’rifa, the Imam, and Arbaeen—and how certain understandings of Islam through a comparative world religions lens can lose sight of the unique and idiosyncratic beliefs within Islam that do not map easily in a “religious” framework.

Session 13 – Usul al-Din and the Secret Garden

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Lecturer: Payam Mohseni, Director of the Project on Shi’ism & Global Affairs, Harvard Divinity School (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 2 hours

Date Recorded: October 2023

Subject: Some scholars of Islam describe the journey of humanity as a return to the Primordial Garden. This talk explores how the idea of the garden and paradise is central in Islamic thought and philosophy. It further discusses the field of Usul al-Din (the Foundations of ‘Religion’) and discusses the trans-legal importance of the Foundations within Islamic understandings of the self and human becoming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowing the Imam (AJ) Workshop

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The Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs at the Harvard Divinity School is pleased to announce a new workshop on Imam al-Mahdi and the centrality of the Imam in Shi’a thought. Our Knowing the Imam workshop offers comprehensive analyses on the sophisticated and multidimensional worldview of Shi’i thought. Building on studies of Imamology, these lectures focus on the role of the Imam in Shi’ism and bringing the concept into conversation with modern philosophical debates and issues. These talks examine the significance of the Imam as a basis for Shi’i indigenous thought through a decolonial comparative framework.

Drawing on the foundational thinking presented in other aspects of this workshop, how can academic studies of religion lend themselves beyond historical discussions into broader and more contemporary discussions? How might scholars approach the holistic and sophisticated thought present in Shi’i Islamic philosophy, and what answers and approaches does it provide for modern challenges? How can this be put into a larger conversation with other worldviews and perspectives? All of these topics and more are considered and explored in topics such as: 

 

1. Gardens on Fire: Life, Death, and Moral Challenges in the Modern World

  • What is the philosophy of life in Islam?
  • How does knowing the Imam teach us how to live?

2. On Humans and Robots: Salvation, Technology, and Science in Modernity and Islam

  • What is the philosophy of light in Islam?
  • How does knowing the Imam teach us how to see?

3. Spiritual Poverty and Enchanted Colonialism: The Destruction and Reconstruction of Religion in the West

  • What is the philosophy of Deen in Islam?
  • How does knowing the Imam teach us Deen al-Haq?

4. Love at First Sight: A Discussion on Relationships Since the Beginning of Time

  • What is the philosophy of love in Islam?
  • How does knowing the Imam teach us how to love?

5. Kingdom of Light: The Imam and Geographies of Hijra

  • What is the philosophy of resurrection in Islam?
  • How does knowing the Imam teach us how to die?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Session 14 – The The Ziyarat of Imam al-Husayn as Liturgical Text in Early Shi'a Hadith

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Lecturer: Sheikh Vinay Khetia, Academic Director, Shia Research Institute, Toronto (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 1 hour 13 minutes

Date Recorded: September 2023

Subject: The intention of this lecture and study is to investigate the intricacies and substance of a genre of devotional literature and liturgical practice in Twelver Shi’ism, namely the Ziyārat (visitational eulogy) of Imam al-Husayn. In doing so, this talk presented a historical and close philological-thematic study of this ziyāra, a text that is consistently found throughout classical and contemporary Shi‘a prayer manuals and formative hadith works such as al-Kāfi. The ziyāra has been ascribed by Twelver Shi’as to the sixth Imam, Ja‘far al-Ṣadiq (d. 148/765). Unlike most studies dealing with the topic of Shi‘a devotion, this lecture shall focus on the textual history, Quranic, and mystical-theological themes which imbue this liturgy. 

Part III. Regional and Local Variations: Approaching Case Studies of Muharram Culture and History
Click Here

Session 11 - Symbolism of Iconic Ashura Rituals in South Asia

Session 15 - Shi'ism and the Manifestation of Ashura in the Malay World

Session 16 - Betwixt and Between Culture and Religion: Hosay as a Universal Phenomenon

Session 17 - Rethinking Ta'ziyeh

South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

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Session 11 – Symbolism of Iconic Ashura Rituals in South Asia




Lecturer: Hasnain Walji, United Global Initiative (affiliation at the date recorded)


Duration: 50 minutes


Date Recorded: July 2022


Subject: Symbols in the form of images are all around us which engage us all in a complex relationship that impacts our psyche.  The symbolism, imagery, art and craft associated with the commemoration of the Tragedy of Karbala has given birth to some outstanding imagery and architecture in the Indian subcontinent.  A potent feature of Azadari (mourning rituals) is the inclusiveness whereby it has remained open to people of all faiths crossing the divides of ethnicity, geography, caste or creed. This presentation will provide a historical review of the art and architecture, spawned by the practice of Azadari, and how the cultural memory of the events of Karbala has assimilated in the South Asian milieu over the centuries. It will cover the evolution of the concepts of ta’ziya, alams, ashurkhana and imamabara in the context of the lived traditions of the Shia Muslims in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh long before the Indian Subcontinent was dissected by these borders.


Readings: 


Francesca Galloway Gallery. “The Allure of India Company School Painting from Murshidabad & Patna 1795–1830.”


Eisenlohr, Patrick. “Atmospheric Citizenship: Sonic Movement and Public Religion in Shi ‘i Mumbai.” Public Culture 33.3 (2021): 371-392.


Ruffle, Karen G. “Gazing in the Eyes of the Martyrs: Four Theories of South Asian Shiʿi Visuality.” Journal of Material Cultures in the Muslim World 1.1-2 (2021): 268-290.


Bio: Dr Walji is a founding Director of the Karbala Center for Humanity at the University of Texas at Dallas and serves as the Executive Director of United Global Initiative – an international NGO tackling social injustices that confront our civil society.

His institutional work for the Muslim Community spans over four decades with active engagement on several boards which include The World Federation of KSI Muslim Communities, American Muslim Health Professionals, National Muslim Catholic Dialogue, the Interfaith Peace Ministry of Orange County and the Shia Muslim Council of Southern California.

As an oral historian of the community he hails from, Hasnain has produced a ground-breaking 2 hour documentary – The Khojas – A Journey of Faith spanning seven centuries.

In his golden years his passion is to make this world a better place for his seven grandchildren.

Southeast Asia: The Case of Malaysia

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Session 15 – Shi’ism and the Manifestation of Ashura in the Malay World

Lecturer: Mohd Faizal Musa (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 1 hour

Date Recorded: July 2022

Subject: This lecture looks at the existence of Shia followers in the Malay Archipelago. It is important to note that Islam has 240 million adherents in Southeast Asia covering a wide range of areas including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, as well Southern Thailand and parts of Mindanao in the Philippines respectively. It is a common perception that most Muslims in this region are Sunni and follow the Shafi`i school of fiqh, or jurisprudential law. However, significant numbers of Shias do exist in this area, where they can be detected through archaeological sites and influences in the Malay culture. This presentation shows how Muslims in this region positioned iconic Shia figures such as Imam Ali (the first Imam within Imamate Shia Islam), his wife Saidatina Fatimah Zahra, the twelfth Imam known as the Saviour Imam Mahdi, and Imam Hussein who was martyred in Karbala (today’s Iraq). Shi’ism has been very much embedded in Malay culture, despite being dominated by Sunnism. In fact, most of the Shia doctrines and pillars were widely accepted and embraced including the manifestations of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram). At the end of this lecture, the commonly accepted fact that Southeast Asia is a region moulded by Sunnism will be challenged.

Readings: 

Wieringa, E. P. “A Taʿziya from Twenty-First-Century Malaysia: Faisal Tehrani’s Passion Play Karbala.” Shiʻism in Southeast Asia: ʻAlid Piety and Sectarian Constructions (2015): 223.

Musa, Mohd Faizal. “Malaysian Shi’ites Lonely Struggle.” World Public Forum, Dialogue of Civilizations. 2013.

Musa, Mohd Faizal. “The Malaysian Shi’a: A Preliminary Study of Their History, Oppression, and Denied Rights.” Journal of Shi’a Islamic Studies 6.4 (2013): 411-463.

Musa, Mohd Faizal, and beng hui tan. “State-Backed Discrimination against Shia Muslims in Malaysia.” Critical Asian Studies 49.3 (2017): 308-329.

Musa, Mohd Faizal. “Axiology of Pilgrimage: Malaysian Shi’ites Ziyarat in Iran and Iraq.” Cultura 10.1 (2013): 67-84.

Musa, Mohd Faizal Bin. “Sunni Shia Reconciliation in Malaysia.” In Saat, Norshahril, and Azhar Ibrahim, eds. Alternative Voices in Muslim Southeast Asia: Discourses and Struggles. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2019.

Musa, Mohd Faizal Bin. “Shia Influence in the Axiology of Malay Culture.” Cultura 17.1 (2020): 99-119.

Bio: Mohd Faizal Musa is a Research Fellow at Institute of Malay World and Civilisations, National University of Malaysia, and Visiting Fellow with the Regional Social and Cultural Studies program at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, as well as an Associate at The Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs at the Harvard Divinity School. He is also a screenwriter, playwright and novelist and goes by the pen name Faisal Tehrani. He holds a record of having 7 books banned in Malaysia. His latest novel, published by Penerbit Circa in Indonesia, is a piece of satire called Koro. He also has an upcoming screenplay and story titled Maryam Pagi ke Malam currently in the post-production process. Scheduled for release next year, it is co-written with Malaysian director Badrul Hisham Ismail, and stars Malaysian actress Sofia Jane.

 

The Caribbean: Trinidad

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Session 16 – Betwixt and Between Culture and Religion: Hosay as a Universal Phenomenon




Lecturer: Frank J. Korom, Professor of Religion and Anthropology, Boston University (affiliation at the date recorded)


Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes


Date Recorded: December 2021


Subject: This lecture builds on a recently published article which discusses the dynamic tension between varying interpretations of the practice of Muharram in the Caribbean, known as Hosay in Trinidad. It reflects back on more than 15 years of on-and-off fieldwork and archival research on this phenomenon in the Caribbean. The central dispute that the author has noted over the years, both in popular print and in verbal discourse, is whether the performance practices associated with this central Shi’i ritual is a religious reenactment or a cultural performance. If the latter, then it transcends Shi’ism to become an appealing and emotive tradition for a variety of religious and ethnic groups on the island, which some of my consultants in the field referred to as the performance’s “universal appeal.”


Readings:


Frank J. Korom. “Reconciling the Local and the Global: The Ritual Space of Shi’i Islam in Trinidad,” Journal of Ritual Studies (1999): 21-36.


Frank J. Korom. “It Ain’t Religion; It’s Just Culture, Man!’ Muḥarram Controversies in the Indo-Caribbean Diaspora.” In Non-Shia Practices of Muḥarram in South Asia and the Diaspora, edited by Pushkar Sohoni and Torsten Tschacher. Routledge, 2021. 99-112.


Harn, Jessica. “What Happened During the 1884 Hosay Massacre in the Caribbean?” The Muslim Vibe, 21 October 2019.


Bio:

Frank J. Korom is a professor of religion and anthropology at Boston University, where he has been teaching since 1998. He has been a visiting professor at several universities both at home and abroad. He is the author and/or editor of 10 books and serves as co-editor of the journal titled Asian Ethnology, which is based at the Nanzan Anthropological Institute in Nagoya, Japan, where he is also a research associate. His interests in Islam range from Shi’ism to Sufism, especially how they are practiced and conceived in South Asia and the West. He is currently completing a book on the Tamil Sufi saint from Sri Lanka named Guru Bawa. Earlier this year he was awarded a Humboldt Prize for his overall academic achievements.


Documentary on the Hosay Rituals

Hosay Cedros – Uniting a Diaspora

Director: Dion Samsoondar | Producer: AnnMarie Samsoondar


Genre: Documentary | Produced In: 2012


Synopsis: On the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago every year since 1880 the fishing village of Cedros observes the Shia Muslim ritual of Muharram, known locally as Hosay. Through a collage of beautiful images, revealing interviews and poetic narration, this film documents the history of Hosay in Cedros. In particular, it tells of the unity among the early Indian laborers who lived on coconut plantations and who transcended religion, caste and gender to come together to commemorate this sacred event.

View HERE:
https://cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/54200/Hosay-Cedros—–Uniting-a-Diaspora
 

West Asia (Middle East)

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Session 17 – Rethinking Ta'ziyeh

Lecturer: Babak Rahimi, Associate Professor of Communication, Culture and Religion, University of California, San Diego (affiliation at the date recorded)

Duration: 49 minutes

Date Recorded: July 2023

Subject: This presentation discusses historical and theoretical ways of understanding ta’ziyeh as devotional performances in commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn in Karbala, 680 C.E. It shows how our understanding of ta’ziyeh mainly comes from folklorist and orientalist approaches, dating back to the nineteenth century. The presentation ends by arguing that ta’ziyeh performances are communal events of audio-sonic orientation while rejecting the traditions as a form of staged theatrical performances. 

Sponsored by the Jaffer Family Foundation of New York in memory of Marhum Mustafa Jaffer.

For any questions please email us at globalshiism@gmail.com