Session 23: Iranian version of Islam

The presence of Islam in the Iranian plateau drove to a permanent and profound transformation in the religious, cultural, and social life of the Iranian world. Since 6^th century, the presence of Islam in Iranian Plateau has dramatically changed the whole Iranian culture. How did this religion penetrate our ancestors’ lives?  As the historians reported, did they warmly welcome it or did they resist? How did Iranians impact Arab-Islamic culture? In this session, I focus on the studies of one of American scholars Richard Bulliet who specialize in Iranian Studies, especially in medieval history of Iran. 

Islam, a typical scriptural religion by virtue of the Qur’an, has contrastingly enjoyed since its inception a remarkable stability in its canonical practices and fundamental tenets, despite the sectarian differences and conflicts. The appeal of Islam has in addition been universal, as indeed was first evidenced by the adherence to it of the Persians, and its supremacy in the Iranian world has never been seriously challenged by any other creed. It may in fact be argued that in terms of intimacy and antiquity the Persian relationship with Islam is second only to the nexus of the Arabic-speaking peoples with the faith; the Persians were the second human collectivity to become acquainted with the Qurʾanic message, and the tongue they elaborated bearing its imprint was the first into which the Qurʾan was translated. The near-universal acceptance of Islam prepared the ground for Persian culture a far greater degree of cohesion than had obtained in pre-Islamic times. Within that Muslim community of faith, especially its Turkish and Indian domains, Persians played a consistently prominent role, and their language was second only to Arabic as a vehicle for the cultivation and transmission of Islamic culture. 

Now we are gathering to discuss the today status of Islam in Iranian history, culture and identity.

My sources for this discussion are: 

1.     Richard Bulliet (1994). Islam, the view from the edge. Columbia University Press.

2.     ---. (2009). Cotton, Climate, and Camels in Early Islamic Iran, Columbia University Press.

3.     غلامحسین زرین کوب (1355). دو قرن سکوت. انتشارات امیر کبیر. تهران.

4.     Islam In Iran http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/islam-in-iran-1#i

Nazila Khalkhali

Time: Thursday, October 18 · 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Location: SITE 5084, University of Ottawa

Language: Persian · Admission: Free