Professor Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Academic Research at the Institute of Ismaili studies (IIS), has been elected a Foreign Member (Socio Straniero) of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in the Class of Moral Sciences (Philology and Linguistics). Founded in 1603, the Accademia is Italy’s oldest and most esteemed scientific and scholarly institution, honouring exceptional accomplishments in both the humanities and sciences.
The election acknowledges Professor Amir-Moezzi’s research on Shiʿi Islam, Islamic philosophy, and Persian literature. His research has advanced knowledge of Shiʿi theology and mysticism and influenced broader studies of Islamic thought. He is known for coining the term hiero-intelligence, a concept which he uses to explain the concept of imamate. At IIS, he continues to contribute to research and publications that support our mission to explore Muslim cultures and societies in depth.
He also serves as Professor of Islamic Studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Sorbonne University) in Paris, occupying the Chair of “Exegesis and Theology,” once held by eminent scholars such as Louis Massignon, Henry Corbin, and Daniel Gimaret. His notable publications, including works like The Divine Guide in Early Shiʿism: The Sources of Esotericism in Islam and The Proof of God: Shiite Mysticism through Kulaynî’s Work, demonstrate his profound scholarship in analysing texts and providing interpretive insights drawing from Arabic and Persian sources to shed light on the theological, philosophical, and spiritual aspects of Islam.
In 2023, France appointed Professor Amir-Moezzi Chevalier of France’s National Order of the Légion d’Honneur for his contributions to higher education and research. Prior to that, in 2019, he was honoured with the Prize for the History of Religions by the Pierre-Antoine Bernheim’s Friends Foundation (French Academy). His induction into the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei marks yet another milestone in a distinguished career dedicated to top-tier scholarship. IIS extends its warm congratulations to Professor Amir Moezzi on this esteemed accolade, highlighting his distinctive contributions.
