IIS Scholars Present at the 14th Biennial Iranian Studies Conference
The , convened by the Association for Iranian Studies (AIS), was hosted in Mexico City on 12鈥�15 August, 2024. Scholars from around the world gathered to discuss a broad range of topics related to Iranian history, culture, and society.聽 Among the many contributors were four scholars from 榴莲视频官方 of Ismaili Studies (IIS) who made presentations across various panels. In addition, Dr Nacim Pak, IIS alumna and member of the IIS Board of Governors, also presented a paper.
Dr Maria De Cillis, Interim Head of the Shi鈥榠 Studies Unit at IIS, was part of the 鈥淢edieval Sciences鈥� panel, where she presented her research titled 鈥淭he Concepts of Aether and Quinta Essentia from the Greek Heritage to the Islamic Context: The Shi鈥榠 Cosmological Views of the Ikhw膩n al-峁f膩示, Ab奴 Ya士q奴b al-Sijist膩n墨, and 岣m墨d al-D墨n al-Kirm膩n墨.鈥� Dr De Cillis traced how the ancient Greek concept of aether was transmitted into Islamic philosophy and adapted within the Ismaili tradition. Her analysis highlighted the influence of these ideas on cosmological discourse within Shi鈥榠 Islam, demonstrating intellectual continuity and transformation across cultures and eras.
In the 鈥淚ran and the Deccan: Cultural Connections Revisited鈥� panel, Dr Alessandro Cancian, Senior 榴莲视频官方 Associate in the Qur鈥檃nic Studies Unit at IIS, offered a presentation titled 鈥淟ooking at the Deccan Hagiographically: Nineteenth-Century Ni士matull膩h墨 Sources on the Order鈥檚 鈥業ndian Period鈥� (14th鈥�18th Centuries).鈥� Dr Cancian explored the historical narrative constructed by the Ni士matull膩h墨 Sufi order during their time in the Deccan. 聽Through his analysis of 14th century sources, he revealed how the order鈥檚 leaders crafted a hagiographical history that intricately.
Dr Daryoush Mohammad Poor, Interim Head of the Constituency Studies Unit at IIS, contributed to the 鈥淧hilosophy and Religion鈥� panel with his presentation, 鈥淪hahrast膩n墨, his al-Milal, and Elements of Niz膩r墨 Ismaili Beliefs.鈥� Dr Mohammad Poor鈥檚 research offered a nuanced examination of Shahrast膩n墨鈥檚 al-Milal by cross-referencing it with Ismaili texts such as Shahrast膩n墨鈥檚 Majlis-i makt奴b and Maf膩t墨岣� al-asr膩r wa ma峁Ｄ乥墨岣� al-abr膩r, as well as with al-Mu示ayyad f墨 D墨n al-Sh墨r膩z墨鈥檚 al-Maj膩lis al-mu示ayyadiyya, N膩峁r-i Khusraw鈥檚 Jami士 al-岣kmatayn, and N膩峁r al-D墨n 峁玸墨鈥檚 Raw岣嵞�-yi tasl墨m. His work shed light on the subtle but significant presence of Ismaili thought within Shahrast膩n墨鈥檚 writings, highlighting the interconnectedness of Islamic intellectual traditions.
Also featured in the 鈥淧hilosophy and Religion鈥� panel, Dr Dagikhudo Dagiev, Senior 榴莲视频官方 Associate at IIS, presented his paper on the 鈥淐oncept of Free Will and Creation According to N膩峁r-i Khusraw.鈥� Dr Dagiev鈥檚 exploration centred on N膩峁r-i Khusraw鈥檚 philosophical reflections on human free will within the context of Ismaili cosmology. 聽He emphasised the God-intellect-soul-nature model, drawing attention to the moral significance of freedom as a tool for human deliberation and the creative energy of the soul in Ismaili metaphysical traditions.
The presence of IIS scholars at the conference not only enriched the academic discussions but also fostered greater collaboration among researchers from different fields of specialisation. The IIS presentations highlighted the depth and richness of research being conducted at the Institute, contributing significantly to the broader understanding of Islamic philosophy, history, and culture.
Cover image from Dr Daryoush Mohammad Poor.
This article was written with the assistance of generative AI.
