The Institute of Ismaili Studies

At the 2026 Annual Conference of the British Forum for Ethnomusicology, Dr Budhaditya Bhattacharyya presented research on the melodicities of the Kalām-i Mawlā, a poetic manual of ethics central to Satpanth Ismaili devotional practice.

Drawing on interviews, recordings, embodied rāga knowledge and musicological sources, the research considered how vocal performance, improvisation and liturgical practice shape the living sonic quality of the Kalām-i Mawlā.

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IIS-supported research at British Forum for Ethnography | The Institute of Ismaili Studies Discover how IIS-supported research on the Kalām-i Mawlā and Ismaili musical traditions was presented at the British Forum for Ethnomusicology.

In this episode of Voices of Contemporary Islamic Thought, Professor Mashood Baderin challenges the assumption that Islam and human rights are inherently incompatible. Drawing on his concept of the “myth of discord”, he argues that both Islamic law and human rights traditions rely on interpretation, ethical reasoning and human agency.

The discussion explores gender justice, minority rights, freedom of religion, and the relationship between rights and responsibilities. Reflecting on the lecture, Noreen Shariff highlights the importance of dialogue, moral responsibility and education in building more just and inclusive societies.

Watch the full lecture:

Islam, Human Rights & the Myth of Discord | The Institute of Ismaili Studies Watch an IIS webinar on Islam and human rights, exploring sharia, dignity, justice and the myth of discord with Mashood Baderin.

Professor Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, Senior Research Fellow at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, has been awarded the Avicenna Prize by the Royal Academy of Belgium.

The award recognises his body of work and major contributions to Islamic religious thought, Shiʿi intellectual traditions and the wider history of religions, with particular recognition given to Le Mahomet des historiens, co-edited with John Tolan and published in 2025.

🔗Read more on the IIS website.

Professor Amir-Moezzi Receives Avicenna Award 2026 | The Institute of Ismaili Studies Professor Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi of IIS has received the Avicenna Prize, recognising his contributions to Islamic intellectual history.

A recent Book Talk in Dar es Salaam explored the rich diversity of Qur’anic interpretations across Muslim history and cultures, while reflecting on the ethical and spiritual relevance of the Qur’an for contemporary life.

Led by Dr Shainool Jiwa and moderated by Dr Fatima Dhanani, the discussion considered themes including revelation, prophethood, authority and interpretation, alongside broader questions of faith, identity and belonging in contemporary Muslim life.

Read more: https://www.iis.ac.uk/news/2026/june/quran-interpretations-dar-es-salaam/

Today, happiness and wellbeing are trending topics. But the history of happiness and wellbeing are less studied and less well-understood. On 7-8 July, the Aga Khan Centre will host a major international conference on the history of emotional flourishing in early Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Organised by IIS Associate Professor Dr Karen Bauer and funded by the British Academy and the Wellcome Trust.

To learn more about the upcoming conference, please visit: https://www.iis.ac.uk/news/2026/june/british-academy-conference-emotional-flourishing/

The Institute of Ismaili Studies, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, hosted a Voices of Contemporary Islamic Thought webinar exploring how education can respond to interconnected global challenges, including climate change, health inequities, and sustainable development.

Chaired by Dr Salim Kassim-Lakha and moderated by Dr Muhammad Keshavjee, the session features Dr Miqdad Asaria, with summary reflections by Dr Zamira Dildorbekova. The discussion examines the concept of polycrisis, the role of education in cultivating greater agency, and how diverse ethical and intellectual traditions can help communities imagine and build more sustainable futures.

Watch the discussion: https://www.iis.ac.uk/multimedia/educating-for-hope/

STEP Cohort 17 student-teachers reflect on learning, interdependence, and education through an outdoor workshop exploring nature, observation, and reflection at Queen’s Wood in London.

The session was not a break from study. Instead, it explored IIS Secondary Curriculum’s Muslim Devotional and Ethical Literature module through a different learning environment.

Read more about the session on the IIS website: https://www.iis.ac.uk/news/2026/june/nature-learning-step-workshop/

A forthcoming IIS publication examines contemporary debates on sharia through historical, political, and social perspectives. The book explores questions of reform, constitutionalism, human rights, ethics, and the evolving role of Islamic law in modern Muslim societies.

Contemporary Trends in Sharia: Critical Debates in Historical Contexts – co-authored by political sociologist Dr Hadi Enayat and English-trained Barrister-mediator Dr Mohamed M. Keshavjee, with a foreword by Dr Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of The Hague Conference on Private International Law – opens up a fresh space for reflection.

Learn more about the upcoming publication: https://www.iis.ac.uk/news/2026/may/contemporary-debates-on-sharia-book/

This lecture explores the textual foundations of Fatimid legal thought through the writings of al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān, the foremost Ismaili jurist and founder of Fatimid Ismaili jurisprudence. It considers how earlier Shiʿi materials and traditions were collected, reworked and transformed into a coherent legal framework for the Fatimid state.

Part of the Islamic History and Thought Lecture Series, the event will be delivered by Dr Kumail Rajani, with Dr Aslisho Qurboniev as discussant. 10 June 2026, 5.00–6.30pm BST, at the Aga Khan Centre and online.

Further details and registration: https://www.iis.ac.uk/events/textual-foundations-fatimid-law/

Members of The Travellers Club visited the Aga Khan Centre for a tour of the building. They explored the Aga Khan Library collections and the Canticle of the Birds exhibition, engaging with shared interests in culture, scholarship, and dialogue.

The group included George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, among a number of former diplomats, as well as explorers and authors - a fitting audience for a space dedicated to knowledge, culture, and cross-civilisational dialogue.

Find out more on the IIS website:
https://www.iis.ac.uk/news/2026/may/travellers-club-visit-aga-khan-centre/

Image credit: Ilaria Gianfranceschi