ICAIR Seminar: Shahida Bint al-Huda and Her Novels

August 4, 2024

On Saturday, August 3rd, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) hosted an in-person seminar at The WF House, titled “Shahida Bint al-Huda and Her Novels.” The lecture was delivered by Dr Hawraa Al-Hassan, an affiliated researcher at the University of Cambridge, whose scholarship explores how modern Arabic fiction intersects with religion, nationalism, and social change. Dr Al-Hassan discussed how Shahida Bint al-Huda — born Amina Haydar al-Sadr (1938–1980) — used fiction to articulate an Islamic moral vision during Iraq’s secular turn of the 1960s and 70s. Through her novels, she crafted relatable heroines who embodied faith and dignity, and subtly challenged the Baʿth regime’s portrayal of women. Her work, Dr Al-Hassan noted, became both a space of resistance and a refuge for Iraq’s devout, nurturing a sense of identity at a time when religious expression was increasingly marginalised. The seminar invited reflection on how Bint al-Huda’s writing continues to resonate today — as a reminder of the power of literature to preserve faith, shape conscience, and speak truth amid adversity.

Virtual Seminar: The Ethics of Karbala

July 22, 2024

On Sunday, July 21st, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) hosted a virtual seminar entitled “The Ethics of Karbala.” The session featured Professor Cyrus Ali Zargar, Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Central Florida, who explored the ethical and philosophical dimensions of the Karbala narrative. Drawing from his recent book The Ethics of Karbala, Professor Zargar discussed how sacred narratives can shape moral character and cultivate a “warrior ethos” grounded in care, compassion, and selflessness. His talk highlighted how a virtue-ethics approach can offer new insights into one of the most pivotal moments in Islamic history, engaging interdisciplinary perspectives that span global philosophy and religious studies.

ICAIR Holds its Third Annual Conference

June 4, 2024

From April 19th to 21st, 2024, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) hosted its third annual conference in Toronto, Canada, in partnership with NASIMCO and the Jaffari Community Centre. The conference, titled "God in the Modern World", drew over 400 attendees from around the world, including scholars, theologians, and thinkers, who gathered to discuss the significance of religion and faith in today's society and address the challenges posed by secularism, postmodernism, and technological progress. One of the conference's highlights was a scholarly roundtable held at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, on April 19th. The roundtable, titled "Theologies of Intercession", brought together scholars from both traditional seminary and academic backgrounds to engage in a lively and profound discussion on this crucial topic in Shi'i theology. The high level of engagement among participants was noteworthy, and the event was featured in Emmanuel College's magazine. Over the course of the weekend, more than 20 scholars presented their research on various topics at the Jaffari Community Centre (JCC). The conference was extremely well-attended and had a lively atmosphere: attendees were eager to learn from the diverse array of presentations and engaged in thought-provoking discussions and exchanged ideas during the breaks between sessions. The conference also featured keynote speeches by senior scholars such as Ayatollah Jawadi Amoli, Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, and Shaykh Dr Murtadha Alidina, Head of Islamic Education at The World Federation. The conference attracted a large number of attendees, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere throughout the weekend. Panel discussions and Q&A sessions provided platforms for attendees to interact with speakers and explore the topics in greater depth. During the lunch and coffee breaks, participants had ample opportunities to network, share ideas, and continue the conversations sparked by the presentations and discussions. The conference also saw the announcement of the winners of ICAIR's photography competition, on the theme of “Faith and Modernity”, which encouraged community members of all ages and skill levels to express their understanding of faith creatively through a visual lens. Visit the ICAIR Instagram page to see the winning entries: https://www.instagram.com/icair_ac/ For those who could not attend in person, the conference was live-streamed on ICAIR's YouTube channel, and a recording of the event is now available for viewing:

ICAIR’s first photography competition 2024

April 20, 2024

The International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) invites you to participate in our inaugural photography competition, "Faith in Modernity: Seeking the Divine in a Secular Age". This competition is launched in conjunction with our annual international conference, "God in the Modern World", which will be held from April 19 to 21, 2024, at the Jaffari Community Centre in Toronto.

ICAIR’s First Public Seminar

November 27, 2023

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.