Persian culture has had a long-standing engagement with the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍聽since early classical times, and this has been visible in various forms from their poetry, calligraphy to 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍ic exegesis. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, technological advancements made it easier to disseminate information to a larger pool of intellectuals who occupied the middle ground between the traditional learned clerics and a nascent civil society.
These intellectuals were able to create accessible discourses which helped to facilitate deeper conversations and enhanced engagement in even more arenas.
Approaches to the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍聽in Contemporary Iran听产测听Dr Alessandro Cancian, explores the importance of the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍聽in the religious, intellectual, political and artistic discourses in modern and contemporary Iran, from the nineteenth century to the present. The publication was developed as a result of the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍ic Studies Colloquium聽held at the 鸟大大影院 in September 2013 and discussions at the聽Ninth Biennial Iranian Studies Conference聽in Istanbul in August 2012.
Touching upon different aspects of the impact, understanding and use of the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍Muslims believe that the Holy 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 contains divine revelations to the Prophet Muhammed received in Mecca and Medina over a period of 23 years in the early 7th century CE. More, the seventeen chapters included in this volume have been written by some of the most authoritative specialists in the modern history of Iran.
Their contributions span a wide range of subjects and themes, covering varied ground from, the examination of the trends in 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍ic exegesis that are currently prominent in Iran; Sufi mystical interpretations of the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍; the concept of revelation as the basis of diverse political trends; approaches to ritual prayer by women in Iran; the use of 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍ic themes in contemporary Iranian cinema; the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍聽as a living scripture in specific intellectual and social circles, and case studies of individual intellectuals.
Reader in Islamic Studies at the University of Glasgow, Dr Lloyd Ridgeon, reviewed the book and commented:
This essential work, composed of chapters authored by some of the world鈥檚 leading academics in Islamic and Iranian studies, provides a comprehensive analysis of how the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 is received in modern Iran. The collection鈥檚 range of topics has been carefully considered, shedding light on modern hermeneutical problems, mystical ways of perceiving the sacred text, and its significance in modern cultural forms including cinema and music, among others. The chapters have been researched with meticulous care to detail. Approaches to the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 in Contemporary Iran looks set to become a classic work.
Approaches to the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍聽in Contemporary Iran聽provides readers with two centuries of reflection on revelation and scripture in the Persian speaking world. The collection will provide academics working in the fields of intellectual and religious history of modern Iran and 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍ic Studies with a comprehensive overview of the richness and plurality of Iran鈥檚 engagement with the聽蚕耻谤鈥檃苍.
It achieves this by bringing together different approaches from theology, mysticism, exegesis, reformism, cinema, music, and visual and popular culture.
Learn more and read Dr Alessandro Cancian鈥檚 introduction to the book
