The International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) held its first ever public seminar, on the topic of Imam Ali’s Qur’an, on 28th October 2023 at its headquarters in Harefield, London.

The seminar was delivered by Dr. Seyfeddin Kara, Assistant Professor of Islamic Origins at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. Dr. Kara holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Durham, UK, and his academic journey includes a prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie Global Fellowship, with research terms at the University of Toronto, the University of Lund, and the University of Göttingen. Dr. Kara is an expert in the textual history of the Qur’an, having authored “In Search of Ali ibn Abi Talib’s Codex: History and Traditions of the Earliest Copy of the Qur’an.” His latest book, “The Integrity of the Qurʾan: Sunni and Shiʿi Historical Narratives,” is scheduled for publication by Edinburgh University Press in early 2024.

The event commenced with a brief recitation of the Qur’an, followed by introductory remarks from Alexander Khaleeli, the head of ICAIR. Dr. Kara then took the podium to deliver his presentation, in which he introduced different approaches to the study of the textual history of the Qur’an, before shedding light on accounts of Imam Ali’s codex (muṣḥaf), based on his research using the isnād-cum-matn methodology. Dr Kara’s presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session. Arifali Hirji, Secretary-General of The World Federation, brought the event to a close with a short address and note of thanks.

This is the first of many seminars bringing together experts on various topics within Islamic studies and the community, in line with ICAIR’s mission to empower the community through access to leading scholarship on Shi’ism.