About

The Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs at the Harvard Divinity School undertakes advanced research on the multifaceted and diverse manifestations of Shi’a Islam both historically and in the contemporary period. The study of Shi’ism and its rising prominence in global affairs—including in intellectual debates, the intersection of religion and politics, and transnational geopolitical issues—is more pressing now than ever. The Project encompasses an interdisciplinary approach with a focus on the history, sociology, literature, art, theology, and politics of the diverse Shi’a communities and nations across the globe—who number at least 280-300 million individuals mainly spread across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, Africa, and the West. 

The Project conducts a rich content-based study of Shi’a thought and identity across diverse Shi’a groups (including Twelver, Ismaili, Zaydi, Alawi, Alevi, and other denominations) as well as diverse ethnic groups across the Middle East, South and Central Asia, Africa, and Shi’a diaspora communities across the globe. To facilitate in-depth scholarship on such a rich and expansive field, our research and study is organized according to the primary domains of: 1) Shi’a history and identity, 2) Shi’ism and geopolitics, 3) ethnic and religious sectarianism and sectarian de-escalation, 4) Shi’a thought and literature, and 5) the global Shi’a diaspora.

The Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs was initially established in 2019 at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (WCFIA) and, after three years of conducting research and hosting events, workshops, and symposia, moved to Harvard Divinity School in 2022 in order to further advance research and education on the multifaceted nature of Shi’a Islam. Our work—based additionally on past experience at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center and our focus on Middle Eastern geopolitics and “sectarian de-escalation” at the Iran Project—engages political scientists, historians, policymakers, religious leaders, and other specializations at Harvard University and beyond. With these diverse constituents, this project provides valuable comparative reference for larger debates in international affairs, sectarianism, political identity, Shi’ism, cultural studies, and religion and politics. While our focus is mainly on Shi’ism, the project’s general theoretical questions are relevant to scholars working on Islam, religion, sectarian identity, and politics across the globe.

Our work furthermore conducts a unique research track on the academic study of Ashura and the life and legacy of Imam Hussain, as well as Imam Ali, generously funded by the Jaffer Family Foundation of New York (JFF-NY). We have also received a generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation for research on sectarian mobilization and Shi’ism (2019-2022). Ali Asani is the Faculty Director and Payam Mohseni is the Project Director.

    Photo Caption (first photo): Arabic calligraphy of an invocation known as Call to Ali (Naad-e Ali) in the form of a lion at the Aga Khan Museum.