Track I: A Social, Cultural and Civilisational Introduction to Islam

Consistent with the Institute’s overall approach, this track will encourage an interdisciplinary perspective, which is not confined to the theological or religious heritage of Islam, but will seek to explore the relationship of religious ideas to the broader dimensions of society and culture. The approach taken in this track will be informed by the full range and diversity of cultures in which Islam is practised today, such as the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America, thus taking into consideration the variety of contexts which shape the ideals, beliefs and practices of the faith. Religious developments will be seen as part of the wider development of thought and culture in Muslim societies. Aspects of culture like art, poetry, literature and architecture will be examined alongside doctrine, law and religious practice. Culture will be studied in relation to the social and political forces that help shape it. The importance of national, regional, or local vernaculars will be noted alongside “classical” languages like Arabic, Persian, and Turkish and the importance of “popular” and oral traditions and expressions of Islam will be noted alongside “learned” or textual ones.

Track I: Courses

All courses in Track I led by Ali Asani, Professor of Indo-Muslim Culture and Practice, and Hussein Rashid, PhD candidate, Near Eastern Languages, Harvard University unless stated otherwise

• What is Islam? Who is a Muslim?
• Sources of Islamic Tradition I: The Qur’an as Oral Scripture
• Sources of Islamic Tradition II: The Qur’an in Muslim Piety
• Sources of Islamic Tradition III: The Sacred Word as Design
• What’s in a Name?
• Sources of Islamic Tradition IV: The Qur’an – From Form to Meaning
  Azim Nanji, Director, The Institute of Ismaili Studies
• The Qur’an and its Interpretation: Authority, Society and Gender
• Sources of Islamic Tradition V: Prophet Muhammad and Muslim Piety
• Prophet Muhammad as Mystical Paradigm
• Spaces of Worship: The Mosque and the Durgah