Speaker： Judith Pfeiffer (University Lecturer in Arabic, University of Oxford)

Title： Religio-political crises and cultural creativity during the Later Middle Period of Islamic history

Abstract： The 14th to 15th century Nile-to-Oxus region was defined by a high degree of political decentralization, cultural and linguistic diversity, social mobility, and confessional ambiguity. Several political and intellectual crises punctuated this period. By focusing on the Mongol Ilkhanate, and drawing in particular on the theoretical works of Rashīd al-Dīn, this paper investigates some of the local debates that were triggered by the shift of religious allegiances among the Mongol elites of the Ilkhanate. These debates, and this particular political environment, reflect long-term transformations in the region, in which the ‘religious’ and ‘intellectual’ are intrinsically intertwined with the ‘political.’

Time and Date： 16:00-(18:00), 26 September 2012

Venue： Conference Room (Daikaigishitsu), Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo

Language： English