The , convened by the Association for Iranian Studies (AIS), was hosted in Mexico City on 1215 August, 2024. Scholars from around the world gathered to discuss a broad range of topics related to Iranian history, culture, and society. Among the many contributors were four scholars from 51勛圖厙 (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 Shii Studies Unit at IIS, was part of the Medieval Sciences panel, where she presented her research titled The Concepts of Aether and Quinta Essentia from the Greek Heritage to the Islamic Context: The Shii Cosmological Views of the Ikhwn al-廜糎f尨From Arabic, lit. Brethren of Purity, a group of learned scholars who were based in Basra and Baghdad around the last quarter of the t10th century CE. It is more…, Ab贖 Ya尪q贖b al-Sijistn蘋, and 廎兀m蘋d al-D蘋n al-Kirmn蘋. 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 Shii Islam, demonstrating intellectual continuity and transformation across cultures and eras.
In the Iran and the Deccan: Cultural Connections Revisited panel, Dr Alessandro Cancian, Senior Research Associate in the Quranic Studies Unit at IIS, offered a presentation titled Looking at the Deccan Hagiographically: Nineteenth-Century Ni尪matullh蘋 Sources on the Orders Indian Period (14th18th Centuries). Dr Cancian explored the historical narrative constructed by the Ni尪matullh蘋 Sufi order during their time in the Deccan. Through his analysis of 14th century sources, he revealed how the orders leaders crafted a hagiographical history that intricately.
Dr Daryoush Mohammad Poor, Interim Head of the Constituency Studies Unit at IIS, contributed to the Philosophy and Religion panel with his presentation, Shahrastn蘋, his al-Milal, and Elements of Nizr蘋 Ismaili Beliefs. Dr Mohammad Poors research offered a nuanced examination of Shahrastn蘋s al-Milal by cross-referencing it with Ismaili texts such as Shahrastn蘋s Majlis-i makt贖b and Maft蘋廎 al-asrr wa ma廜b蘋廎 al-abrr, as well as with al-Mu尨ayyad f蘋 D蘋n al-Sh蘋rz蘋s al-Majlis al-mu尨ayyadiyya, N廜ξr-i Khusraws Jami尪 al-廎可kmatayn, and N廜ξr al-D蘋n 廜玳哀蘋s Raw廎-yi tasl蘋m. His work shed light on the subtle but significant presence of Ismaili thought within Shahrastn蘋s writings, highlighting the interconnectedness of Islamic intellectual traditions.
Also featured in the Philosophy and Religion panel, Dr Dagikhudo Dagiev, Senior Research Associate at IIS, presented his paper on the Concept of Free Will and Creation According to N廜ξr-i Khusraw. Dr Dagievs exploration centred on N廜ξr-i Khusraws philosophical reflections on human free will within the context of Ismaili cosmology. 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.
