The Institute of Ismaili Studies

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, 1936-2025

The governors, faculty, staff, students and volunteers of The Institute of Ismaili Studies offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide. As we honour the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to identify and address pressing ethical and intellectual questions faced by Muslim communities around the world.

More information

About us

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 as an academic institution of higher education. It is dedicated to the study of Islam, with a particular focus on the history, philosophy, law, and mysticism of Ismaili and broader Shi‘i intellectual and cultural heritages within the larger Muslim ummah.

Two STEP students reading the STEP curriculum and discussing something with each other

Graduate studies

The IIS currently offers two graduate programmes which attract students from world-wide Ismaili communities.

A student picking out a book from the library stack

Short courses

IIS Short Courses are designed to introduce participants to a social, cultural and civilisational approach to the study of Islam and Muslim societies, with a particular focus on Ismaili contexts.

Two scholars working on a manuscript with gloves

Fellowships and Scholarships

The IIS offers various scholarship and fellowship programmes to suitable candidates with a focus on Islamic Studies or other areas of interest to the IIS.

Learning Centre

The learning centre hosts a variety of additional educational materials such as reading guides for IIS publications, lists of recommended readings, for further exploration of several themes and topics.

Discover our research

Research at the IIS seeks to contribute to the field of Islamic studies in general, with a particular focus on Shi ‘i and Ismaili studies.

Explore our publications

The IIS publishes works by its own scholars as well as from the academic community outside the Institute.

Podcast

Dr Alí-de-Unzaga discusses the Islamic Gardens at King’s Cross on BBC’s Beyond Belief

Dr Omar Alí-de-Unzaga joins host Giles Fraser, The Revd Lucy Winkett, and Ai Hishii to discuss the religious significance of gardens on BBC’s Beyond Belief.

Listen Podcast here