Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations

Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations

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AKU-ISMC is a higher education institution focusing on research, publications and graduate studies.

Operating as usual

05/02/2025

His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family. Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Aga Khan IV established the Aga Khan University as part of the AKDN in 1983 in order to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond through world-class teaching, research, and healthcare delivery. Driven by His Highness’ expansive vision, constant guidance and generosity, AKU has grown to be recognized as one of the finest universities in the world and a beacon of hope for the communities whom we serve.

The faculty, staff, students and volunteers of the Aga Khan University offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide. As we pay tribute to the legacy of our beloved Founder and Chancellor, we continue to work to bring His Highness’ vision to life.

22/01/2025

🌍 Can Social Sciences Address Policy Issues in Biomedical Research? 🧠💉

Join us on Tuesday, February 4 at AKU-ISMC London for a thought-provoking talk by Dr. Tania Bubela, AKU’s Provost, on how social sciences can tackle policy challenges in biomedical research.

🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, February 4 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM GMT
📍 Location: Aga Khan Centre, 10 Handyside Street, London N1C 4DN

Don’t miss the chance to hear Dr. Bubela’s insights on global health and policy. The event will be followed by a dinner & drinks reception.

🔗 Book Now! https://tinyurl.com/mpufc68y

Photos from Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations's post 06/01/2025

We are delighted to announce the publication of the 5th volume of the Journal of Material Cultures in the Muslim World, released on 27 December 2024. This new volume includes significant articles on a variety of topics, including Islam in China, a report on recent archaeological work at Lahore Fort, a feature on one of the last great Persian tile masters, and a study of historical reports on the health risks of craft production in the Islamic world. Other highlights include a study of medieval water pumps, a Berlin archive of Mamluk architecture, research on a 12th-century Marinid complex in Fez, and Editor-in-Chief Stéphane Pradines’ opening editorial, What is Islamic Archaeology Anyway?.

You can download your copy here: https://shorturl.at/DPI4B

02/01/2025

Join us for the 'AKU-ISMC Centre for Digital Humanities (CDH) Virtual Open House', an online event hosted by the Centre for Digital Humanities at AKU-ISMC. Explore the innovative work of the CDH and dive into the KITAB project.

Date: Wednesday, 15th January 2025
Time: 14:00 - 15:30 GMT

This is a great opportunity to learn about our initiatives and engage with our team.

Reserve your spot here: https://shorturl.at/W5ZH0

01/01/2025

Wishing our AKU-ISMC community—colleagues, students, and alumni—a Happy New Year! Here's to a year filled with growth, learning, and success.

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas to those in our AKU-ISMC family, including colleagues and students, who are celebrating! Wishing you a season filled with joy, peace, and special moments with your loved ones.

19/12/2024

In November, following Aga Khan University senior leadership’s visit to McMaster University, we were honoured to welcome President David Farrar, Provost Susan Tighe, and McMaster’s senior leaders to AKU-ISMC in London. The visit sparked valuable discussions on shared priorities in global engagement, education, and research with leaders from AKU and the Aga Khan Development Network.

Photos from Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations's post 18/12/2024

Celebrating World Arabic Language Day 2024
معهد دراسات حضارات المسلمين - جامعة الآغا خان في لندن – يحتفل باليوم العالمي للغة العربية
Today, on World Arabic Language Day, we celebrate the linguistic diversity that enriches our community at AKU-ISMC. Arabic, spoken across the Arab world and beyond, is a rich tapestry of dialects, including Modern Standard Arabic (fuṣḥā) and various vernaculars (ʕāmmiyyah), each with its own sociolinguistic and historical context. Arabic is not just one language, but a living, evolving phenomenon with deep roots in both classical and modern literature. At AKU-ISMC, we offer Arabic language courses and conduct research into Arabic-language contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of its diverse varieties. Today, we also spotlight Luay Mohammed, our Arabic language instructor, and Dr. Alex Bellem, a linguist specialising in phonology and Arabic dialectology. Both play a key role in advancing Arabic language studies at AKU-ISMC.
ولكم التوفيق في تعلم اللغة العربية الجميلة!

17/12/2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on an incredible year! From launching our new student engagement scheme at AKU-ISMC to welcoming our new dean, Shahzad Bashir, in June, it’s been a year of growth and excitement. We’ve hosted fantastic events and short courses, filled with laughter and unforgettable moments. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year so special! Here’s to even more amazing memories in the year ahead! 🙌🎉

16/12/2024

Stéphane Pradines, Professor at AKU-ISMC, is pleased to announce the publication of his latest book, Mayotte au temps des Califes (IXe-XIIe siècles). This work represents the culmination of years of research, including the 2011-2015 fieldwork at the Ironi Be site in Mayotte, part of the Comoros Archipelago.

The volume, co-written with fellow researchers and archaeologists from INRAP, CNRS, and the University of Geneva, offers new insights into the region's history. A significant discovery from this project occurred in 2013, when the team uncovered the origin of the Abbasid and Fatimid rock crystal sources, tracing them back to Madagascar.

This discovery has had a profound impact on the understanding of Islamic Art, with institutions such as the British Museum and Qatar Museum now including Malagasy rock crystal in their exhibits to highlight Indian Ocean trade.

While celebrating this academic milestone, AKU-ISMC's thoughts are with the people of Mayotte in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido on December 14th. Our hearts go out to the affected communities.

Learn more about the book here: https://shorturl.at/yM7gO

Photos from Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations's post 13/12/2024

What an incredible evening! 🌟

After the Grounds for Hope discussion, we continued the conversation at a vibrant networking reception. It was a fantastic opportunity for attendees to connect, share ideas, and reflect on how architecture shapes memory, community, and the future. 🤝✨

Take a look at some snapshots from the reception! 📸

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our speakers and moderator for their insightful contributions. We look forward to continuing these important conversations!

Photos from Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations's post 13/12/2024

We’re sharing live updates today, Friday, December 13! 📲

Join us for real-time insights from the Grounds for Hope discussion, exploring how architecture shapes memory, community, and future possibilities. 🌍

🎙️ Our expert speakers will delve into the significance of the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, its journey from the 2016 opening to winning the AKAA in 2019, and its potential for the future.

🗣️ Speakers: Tomà Berlanda, Adrian Lahoud, Hanan Toukan, Róisín Heneghan
🎤 Moderator: Shahzad Bashir

Stay tuned for live updates and snapshots from the event! 📸

13/12/2024

Yesterday, AKU unveiled the Strategic Plan 2024-2028, bringing it to life across our community! 🌍 Be part of shaping AKU’s future – join the campaign, share your insights, and explore how you can contribute to AKU’s success. Shahzad Bashir, Dean of AKU-ISMC, emphasises that the strategic plan will guide the future of research, education, and outreach at ISMC. It aligns with the Chancellor’s humanitarian vision while responding to the rapidly changing world. From the MA in Muslim Cultures to faculty-led research, AKU-ISMC is focused on data, diversity, equity, and resilience in the face of climate change.
🔗 Explore the plan: www.aku.edu/strategicplan

13/12/2024

Meet Hossein, a PhD student in Middle East Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, and an administrator at the Centre for Islamic and West Asian Studies. He has a background in Philosophy from the University of Tehran and began his journey at AKU-ISMC in 2022. Hossein found the AKU-ISMC programme to be truly multidisciplinary, allowing him to engage with diverse fields such as social semiotics, archival studies, historiography, and digital humanities, supported by the Digital Humanities Centre at AKU-ISMC. For his master’s thesis, supervised by Prof. Jeff Tan, he focused on representations of the self and the other in Iranian newspapers during the Oil Nationalisation Movement. Now, for his PhD, funded by the Mainstay Foundation, he is researching non-Eurocentric historiographies of international relations, specifically exploring how Shia clergy shaped the concept of the West and Iranian nationalism from the 1920s onwards.

Photos from Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations's post 12/12/2024

We are proud to announce that the essay "A (digital) reformulation of Islamic pasts" by Shahzad, Dean of AKU-ISMC, was one of the most-read publications on "The Immanent Frame" in 2024! ✨

As AKU-ISMC, we are proud to have Shahzad showcase his thought-provoking perspective on such an important topic. You can read the essay here: https://tif.ssrc.org/2024/07/10/a-digital-reformulation-of-islamic-pasts/

Photos from Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations's post 11/12/2024

📅 Save the Date! OIB-COSIMENA Research Colloquium II: Muslim Women as Scribes and Calligraphers

🗓 When: Wednesday, 18th December 2024
🕒 Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Cairo Time)
📍 Where: DAAD Regional Office Cairo, Egypt

Next week, Prof. Dr. Walid Ghali from AKU-ISMC will be presenting a fascinating lecture on "Muslim Women as Scribes and Calligraphers: Biographical and Codicological Notes." Prof. Ghali will explore the important yet often overlooked role of women in Islamic knowledge transmission, highlighting their contributions as scribes, calligraphers, and illuminators.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from one of our own experts! This event is hosted by DAAD Regional Office Cairo, in collaboration with COSIMENA and the Orient Institut Beirut.

For more details and registration, visit: https://www.daad.eg/en/
📧 For inquiries, contact: [email protected]

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Location

Address


Aga Khan University Institute For The Study Of Muslim Civilisations, Aga Khan Centre, 10 Handyside Street
London
N1C4DN