The Institute of Ismaili Studies

New Website Launch for IIS

The IIS Department of Communications and Development is delighted to announce the launch of the new IIS website, which benefits from a complete redesign and the addition of several exciting new features.

“Not a Fair Game”: IIS Doctoral Scholar on Climate Change

Abdul Wahid Khan for Earth Day 2022 highlights some of the findings of the latest IPCC report on climate change and how they relate to the lived realities of people in Chitral, as well as his work with the IIS Climate Change and Sustainability Working Group.

Interview: Dr Dagikhudo Dagiev on Central Asian Ismailis

In this interview, Dr Dagikhudo Dagiev reveals how he hopes the book will open up new ground in the study of the Ismailis of Central Asia.

About us

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 as an academic institution of higher education dedicated to the study of Islam, with a particular focus on its Ismaili and broader Shi‘i traditions.

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Graduate studies

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

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.

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.

Patterns of Wisdom in Safavid Iran: The Philosophical School of Isfahan and the Gnostic of Shiraz

Watch this event celebrating the friendship, scholarship and academic achievements of late IIS research associate Dr Janis Esots, and marking the launch of his posthumous book, Patterns of Wisdom in Safavid Iran: The Philosophical School of Isfahan and the Gnostic of Shiraz.

Watch event

Aga Khan Library Launches Arkoun Archive

The archive includes documents tracing the early childhood, education and academic career of former IIS governor Professor Mohammed Arkoun (1928-2010), one of the most influential and innovative scholars in Islamic studies.

Teaching and Learning

IIS Joins AKU's Award-Winning Teaching and Learning Scheme

The scheme is part of AKU’s globally renowned Network of Teaching and Learning, which secured AKU the Zairi International Award for Excellence in Disruptive Education in March.