Visions
Visions is the online publication and multimedia platform for the Project on Shi'ism and Global Affairs at Harvard Divinity School. It features the best analysis and commentary on the diverse aspects of Shi'ism on contemporary and historical issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Featured Articles
The Exoteric Imamate as the Omnipresent Esoteric in Shi’a Hiero-History
What role does sacred time (or “hiero-history”) play in Shi’a worldview? And how does this impact Shi’a interpretations of history and justice? Unlike certain classical histories of the Islamic world, the Shi’a worldview does not fixate on golden ages of...
Five Myths of Sectarianism within Islam in the Contemporary Middle East
Since the turn of the century and the increased global focus on the Middle East and Muslim world, many scholars have been quick to recognize the wide gap of knowledge and understanding of Islam in the West, including in the United States. While some...
Does Theology Matter? Politics and the Role of Religion and Sectarianism in the Contemporary Muslim World
In this series, the VISIONS blog will post excerpts from the Report on Engaging Sectarian De-Escalation based on the "Proceedings of the Symposium on Islam and Sectarian De-Escalation at the Harvard Kennedy School." Moderator: Elizabeth Prodromou...
The Bektashi Shi’as of Michigan: Pluralism and Orthodoxy within Twelver Shi’ism
Project Associate Mohammad Sagha writes on the Bektashi Shi'a community based in Michigan, USA for the Visions Blog. He explores debates on orthodoxy and heterodoxy within Islam and the need to examine the diversity and pluralism within modern Shi’ism...
Al-Ghadir: The Fountainhead of Shi’ism
On August 20th, Shi'a Muslims across the world commemorated Eid al-Ghadir, the day on which Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shi’a Imam, was openly declared by the Prophet Muhammad to be his mawla (i.e. successor in the Shi’a worldview) in front of...
Five Myths of Sectarianism within Islam in the Contemporary Middle East
Since the turn of the century and the increased global focus on the Middle East and Muslim world, many scholars have been quick to recognize the wide gap of knowledge and understanding of Islam in the West, including in the United States. While some...
Los cinco mitos sobre el sectarismo en el islam en el Medio Oriente contemporáneo
Traducido al español por Mateo Toquica y Alejandra Londoño Desde el cambio de siglo y el creciente enfoque global en el Medio Oriente y el mundo islámico, muchos académicos se han apresurado en reconocer la gran brecha de conocimiento y comprensión del...
1452 varas a Karbalá
Publicado originalmente el 12 de octubre, 2019 Arbaín marca el cuadragésimo día después de la tragedia de Karbalá. Durante siglos, los chiítas han protestado contra las opresiones y discriminaciones hacia la casa del Profeta en el día de Arbaín. Saddam...
El imamato exotérico como esoterismo omnipresente en la hiero-historia chiíta
Publicado originalmente el 4 de septiembre, 2019 ¿Qué rol juega el tiempo sagrado (o “hiero-historia”) en la cosmovisión chiíta? ¿cómo impacta esto en las interpretaciones chiítas de la historia y la justicia? Traducido al español por Valeria Páez y...
Geopolitics in Iran and Iraq
In this series, the VISIONS blog will post excerpts from the Report on Engaging Sectarian De-Escalation based on the "Proceedings of the Symposium on Islam and Sectarian De-Escalation at the Harvard Kennedy School." Moderator José Antonio Sabadell...
Al-Ghadir: el manantial del chiísmo
El 18 de Dhu-l Hijja, los musulmanes chiítas de todo el mundo conmemoraron el Eid al-Ghadir, el día en que el Imam Alí ibn Abi Talib ㅡel primer imam chiítaㅡ fue abiertamente declarado por el Profeta Muhammad como su maula (o sucesor, de acuerdo con la...
Political Mobilization in Bahrain: A Historical Overview and Future Prospects
Bahrain’s unique position in the Persian Gulf offers an interesting case study of how political mobilization is possible for citizens who live under strict minority rule. Unlike its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners, Bahrain consists of a 70%...
Shi'a Muslim-Americans Were a Key Force in Joe Biden’s Victory
Shi'a Americans, a diverse community growing in presence & influence, made a noteworthy contribution to Joe Biden's victory, especially in the crucial swing-state of Michigan. President-elect Joseph Biden is at the cusp of assuming the highest political...
Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III: Laying the Foundations for Ismaili Women’s Progress
On November 2, Shi'a Nizari Ismaili Muslims across the world will commemorate the birth anniversary of their forty-eighth Imam, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, the grandfather of the present Imam, Karim al-Husseini Aga Khan IV. On this anniversary, we...
Religion & Civic Activism in the North American Muslim Diaspora Community
In this series, the VISIONS blog will post excerpts from the Report on Engaging Sectarian De-Escalation based on the "Proceedings of the Symposium on Islam and Sectarian De-Escalation at the Harvard Kennedy School." Moderator: Hassan Abbas Panelists...
Religious Pluralism & Muslim Identity in the West & Islamic World
In this series, the VISIONS blog will post excerpts from the Report on Engaging Sectarian De-Escalation based on the "Proceedings of the Symposium on Islam and Sectarian De-Escalation at the Harvard Kennedy School." Moderator: Diana Eck Panelists: Wasif...
Does Theology Matter? Politics and the Role of Religion and Sectarianism in the Contemporary Muslim World
In this series, the VISIONS blog will post excerpts from the Report on Engaging Sectarian De-Escalation based on the "Proceedings of the Symposium on Islam and Sectarian De-Escalation at the Harvard Kennedy School." Moderator: Elizabeth Prodromou...
For more information about the vision of Visions, see the Director's letter.
We welcome submissions and inquiries to Visions at globalshiism@hds.harvard.edu.
