Institute of Ismaili Studies: Difference between revisions

The '''Institute of Ismaili Studies''' ('''IIS''') is a [[research institute]] in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web | title = IIS Overview | publisher = Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=104413 | accessdate = 2007-10-29 }}</ref> It aims to promote the study of [[Muslim]] cultures and societies, both historical and contemporary, in order to foster a greater understanding of their relationships with other societies and faiths.<ref>{{cite web | title = IIS Overview | publisher = Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=104413 | accessdate = 2007-10-29 }}</ref> It also functions as a gathering point for the [[Nizari Ismaili|Ismaili]] community as it endeavors to understand its own history and thought, including the often neglected fields of esoteric [[Islam]] and [[Shia Islam|Shi‘ism]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Walker | first = Paul | title = Institute of Ismaili Studies | publisher = Encyclopaedia Iranica | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/institute-of-ismaili-studies | accessdate = 2007-10-29 |archiveurl = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/institute-of-ismaili-studies <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-10-22}}</ref>

The Institute draws upon the worldwide knowledge and experience of various institutions and scholars to create awareness through initiatives, publications, and partnerships in the field of [[Islamic Studies]].<ref>{{cite web | title = IIS Overview | publisher = Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=104413 | accessdate = 2007-10-29 }}</ref> Its library, which houses the largest-known accessible collection of Ismaili [[codex|codices]] in the world, is a major resource in the field.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Library of the Institute of Ismaili Studies | publisher = The Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/SiteAssets/pdf/brochure_06.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> In addition to its research, the IIS offers two [[graduate study|graduate programmes]]: the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH) and the Secondary Teacher Education Programme (STEP).<ref>{{cite web | title = IIS Graduate Studies | publisher = Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_sorted_articles.asp?catid=61&layout=children&l&l=en | accessdate = 2011-09-26 }}</ref>

Established in 1977 by the [[Aga Khan IV|Aga Khan]], it functions under his guidance and works closely with the [[Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations]] at the [[Aga Khan University]].<ref>{{cite web

Modern Ismaili studies first began in the 1930s in [[South Asia]], where collections of Ismaili manuscripts had been preserved within Ismaili communities and brought to the fore through the pioneering efforts of [[Vladimir Alexeyevich Ivanov|Wladimir Ivanow]], Asaf Fyzee, Husayn al-Hamdani, and Zahid Ali. Much of this early work helped to dispel the writings of the nineteenth century orientalists, which were often defamatory albeit unintentionally, having drawn only on the sources of the Ismailis’ adversaries, while over-sensationalizing occidental accounts.<ref>{{cite web | last = Daftary | first = Farhad | title = Ismaili Studies: Medieval Antecedents and Modern Developments | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/SiteAssets/pdf/ismaili_studies.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> Ivanow, in particular, played an important role in the creation of the Ismaili Society of [[Bombay]], which was, in a sense, a precursor to the Institute.

The former Ismaili Society of Bombay was established under the patronage of [[Aga Khan III|Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III]] in February 1946. The Ismaili Society stood for “the promotion of independent and critical study of all matters connected with Ismailism” and frequently published monographs, critical editions of original texts and collections of short papers. Like the Institute, the Society’s work was involved in studying the field of particular intellectual movements in Islam, with a specific interest in Shi‘ism and [[Sufism]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Ivanow | first = Wladimir | title = Collectanae vol.1 | publisher = E.I. Brill | year = 1948 | location = Leiden}}</ref> With these underlying premises, the Aga Khan chaired the Ismailia Association Conference in April 1975: a four-day meeting in Paris during which groundwork was laid for what was eventually to become the Institute of Ismaili Studies.<ref>{{cite web | last = Esmail | first = Aziz | authorlink = | title = The Role of the Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/SiteAssets/pdf/Esmail_role_iis.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> In November 1977, the Aga Khan made a public announcement that formally proclaimed the inauguration of the Institute. In his remarks the Aga Khan expressed his wish that the Institute become a major institution for his community, while reflecting upon the [[Fatimid]] centres of learning established by his ancestors a millennium before.

The late Aga Khan III was instrumental in the transformation of [[Aligarh University]], for which he campaigned starting as early as 1896.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Keshavjee | first = Mohamed | title = Aligarh University | journal = Ilm | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 16–19 | year = 1979 | postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> He also articulated the Muslims’ need for a “Central University” – a place where religion and learning are never divorced and individuality is safeguarded from imitating other cultures – so that early in their lives, students would gain a sense “for truthfulness, and for independence of character”.<ref>{{cite web | last = Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III | title = The True Purpose of Education (Speech at the Muslim Educational Conference) | year = 1904 | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/SiteAssets/pdf/1904.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> In subsequent years, Aga Khan III founded many schools in [[East Africa]] and [[South Asia]]. Most of these schools continue to exist today. He and his forefathers trace their ancestry back to the Fatimid Caliph-Imams who were among the first Muslims to establish institutes of higher learning in the history of Islamic civilization.<ref>{{cite book | last = Halm | first = Heinz | title = The Fatimids and their Traditions of Learning | publisher = I.B. Tauris | year = 1997 | location = London | pages = 71–95}}</ref> Therefore, despite its recent foundation, the Institute draws upon a long historical tradition that is firmly rooted in education and learning and equally cognizant thereof.

The current Co-Director and Head of the Department of Academic Research and Publications is Dr. [[Farhad Daftary]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Institute of Ismaili Studies - Co-Directors | publisher = Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=110988&l=en | accessdate = 2011-09-26 }}</ref>

The Institute of Ismaili Studies Library was established in 1979 and is a major resource at the Institute, which houses the largest-known accessible collection of Ismaili [[codex|codices]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Library of the Institute of Ismaili Studies | publisher = The Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/SiteAssets/pdf/brochure_06.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref> Its role is to preserve, develop and make available a central archive of Ismaili manuscripts, printed texts and audiovisual materials, and to support the activities and programmes of the Institute by providing necessary resources. The Library’s collection comprises some thirty thousand items, including rare manuscripts in [[Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]] and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]. Many of these manuscripts are described in published catalogues.<ref>{{cite web | title = The IIS Library Catalogue | publisher = The Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://82.148.46.9:8080/ | format = Website | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref>

The Institute of Ismaili Studies offers a variety of different programmes from the graduate level to preparatory programmes for Ismaili students who have not previously studied English, such as the Khorog English Programme and the Syrian Preparatory Program.<ref>{{cite web | title = Graduate Studies | work = Preparatory Programmes | publisher = The Institute of Ismaili Studies | url = http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=105818 | accessdate = 2007-10-29}}</ref>

*[http://instituteofismailistudies.deployview.co.uk/iis.ac.uk/homed8cc.html Old website (English)]

*[http://instituteofismailistudies.deployview.co.uk/iis.ac.uk/home9700.html?l=fr&lang=fr Old website (French)]

*[http://instituteofismailistudies.deployview.co.uk/iis.ac.uk/homef478.html?l=ar&lang=ar Old website (Arabic)]

*[http://instituteofismailistudies.deployview.co.uk/iis.ac.uk/home1858.html?l=fa&lang=fa Old website (Persian)]

*[http://instituteofismailistudies.deployview.co.uk/iis.ac.uk/homeb5a0.html?l=ru&lang=ru Old website (Russian)]

*[http://instituteofismailistudies.deployview.co.uk/iis.ac.uk/view_articlec898.html?type=cont&id=114602 Persian Qasideh Gallery Microsite ]