The Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo (Tobunken) will host a lecture by Dr. Lloyd Ridgeon (University of Glasgow) on “Denominational Dynamics within Futuwwat Literature of the Medieval Period in Anatolia and Iran” on January 20 (Sat). Those who are interested in participating in the event are cordially invited to register in advance by January 17 (details below).
Lecture Title:
“Denominational Dynamics within Futuwwat Literature of the Medieval Period in Anatolia and Iran”
Speaker:
Dr. Lloyd Ridgeon (Reader in Islamic Studies, the Department of Theology, University of Glasgow; https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/staff/lloydridgeon/)
Date and Time:
January 20 (Sat), 2024, at 16:30-18:15
Venue:
The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, 3F Conference Room No. 2 (東京大学東洋文化研究所3階、第二会議室), and online via Zoom.
Lecture Abstract:
By the medieval period, the futuwwat associations had developed in a form of “second-class” Sufism. The authors of the majority of futuwwat treatises of the period were composed by adherents of a Sunni madhhab, yet it is of note that their works betray no overt hostility to the Shiʿa tradition – in fact what is most noticeable is the promotion of a form of ʿAlidisation. This may be explained by similarities in Sufi-Shiʿi dogma, and the presence of influential Shiʿi individuals round political leaders. This presentation examines eight individuals/futuwwat-nāmas to help elucidate whether or not there exited a tension at the heart of society between these two denominations in Islam.
How to Participate:
Please fill in the form at https://forms.gle/rXR5BKtu2WHw4eZW7, by Jan 17, at 24:00 JST.
Contact Person: Naoki Nishiyama (nishiyama[at]ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp)
*The announcement of a graduate seminar led by Dr. Ridgeon at the University of Tokyo on January 23 (Mon) will be released shortly. (Dr. Ridgeon will also give a lecture in Kyoto on January 16, hosted by Kyoto University).
This event is co-sponsored by the JSPS Kakenhi Project “"Sunnis" and "Shi'is": Historical Inquiries into Confessional Identities and Mutual Perceptions” (23H00674), Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo, and Kazuhiro Arai Laboratory, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University, and supported by Kenan Rifai Center for Sufi Studies, Kyoto University, and the Japan Office, Association for the Study of Persianate Societies.