The IIS holds one of the most significant repositories in the world of materials related to Ismaili communities, comprising nearly 3,000 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian and Indic languages. In addition, IIS also holds several hundred volumes of rare...
Why is the shari ‘ a — the mention of which stirs up problematic images in many parts of the world — understood in the ways that it is today? For Muslims and non-Muslims alike, much is read into this term, often with scant regard for its historical...
This video presents highlights from the lectures delivered on the occasion of IIS' 40th anniversary under the themes of heritage, knowledge, people and the future .
Shi`i Ismaili Muslims are unique in following a living, hereditary Imam (spiritual leader), whom they believe to be directly descended from the Prophet Muhammad. The Imam's duty has been to guide his community with Islamic principles that apply to...
The IIS is delighted to announce the release of the first book in the World of Islam series – in print, e-book and audiobook formats. This new series has been created for a general, non-academic, audience in order to provide engaging introductions...
Click here to view The Safar-nama of Nasir Khusraw The interactive map traces the route of Nasir-i Khusraw and his companion on his epic voyage during which he travelled from Central Asia to the Mediterranean Coast, Egypt and Arabia. The Safar-nama...
The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 with the objective of promoting scholarship and learning on Muslim cultures and societies, historical as well as contemporary, and encouraging a better understanding of their...
Eplore a photo album featuring diverse historical and contemporary Muslim Spaces of Worship and Gathering that reflect the rich intellectual, cultural, spiritual and institutional pluralism of the worldwide Muslim community, Umma . Share your...
The Institute of Ismaili Studies was established in 1977 to promote scholarship of Muslim cultures and societies, historical as well as contemporary, leading to a better understanding of their relationship with other societies and faiths.
Dr Esmail begins his article with an overview of how and when the idea of the IIS was conceptualised. He makes it clear at the outset that the IIS is not just a platform for Ismaili scholarship but...
Many societies of the Muslim world, for all their rich traditions of diversity and generosity, have lately fallen prey to ugly sectarian division. Communities that have long been part of the larger...
This forty-two minute inaugural lecture on Civil Society in Comparative Muslim Contexts was delivered by (late) Professor Mohammed Arkoun at the IIS in November 2000. In his talk, professor Arkoun...
A number of concepts in the Qur’an signify the ethical dimensions of human life. Read Professor Azim Nanji's thoughts on how the whole spectrum of Muslim values is inspired by these concepts and...
In this Interview Dr Amyn Sajoo elaborates on the roots of Islam’s ethical framework and how its teachings have branched out in the cultural, political, intellectual and religious lives of Muslims,...
