‘Aesthetic approach of Islam is the way forward’ – Professor Ali Asani of Harvard at Habib University, Pakistan

KARACHI: In an attempt to deconstruct negative stereotypes about Islam that are rampant in popular discourse, there is an urgent need to understand and propagate it from an aesthetic approach, said Harvard scholar Prof Ali Asani during his talk at Habib University on Friday.

While highlighting the importance of religious and cultural literacy in a cosmopolitan world, Prof Asani gave a nuanced perspective to the differences that set us apart, which have resulted in polarisations and created conflicts.

…According to him, fundamentalist groups have become the dominant, polarised understanding of Islam through the lens of terrorism. Prof Asani, however, presented a unique perspective on these intolerant entities. “Groups such as IS and the Taliban are a modern phenomenon and are a by-product of modernity. These show that the evolution of traditions in a certain direction have been caused by global dynamics. There are no historical precedents for these kinds of evolutions. This shows that traditions are evolving and are not static.”

More at the source: ‘Aesthetic approach of Islam is the way forward’ – Pakistan – DAWN.COM

Related

Habib University of Liberal Arts and Science

• https://www.habib.edu.pk/aliasani/ali-asani.pdf
• https://www.habib.edu.pk/aliasani/
• https://habib.edu.pk/
• Harvard professor to talk on religious, cultural literacy at HU

 

Ali Asani at Ismailimail

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• Catch the Live Streaming of 2021 Ismaili Studies Conference (August 6-10, 2021) #ISC2021
• 2021 Ismaili Studies Conference Registration and Program #ISC2021
• Harvard faculty Professor Ali Asani speaks about his journey as a scholar | @HarvardIslamic
• Harvard University: Diversity and Unity in Transnational Shi’ism
• Sitare Productions Presents: Til Bhar Tulana by Samira Noorali ft. Nida Moledina, Saif Sattani, Kanwal Sumnani
• Ginans with Harvard Professor Dr. Ali Asani featuring melodies by Jamil Assani
• Professor Ali Asani Receives 2020 Harvard Foundation Faculty of the Year Award
• Event: Qasida and Ginan Mehfil featuring Dr. Ali Asani and Talented Global Ismailis Hosted by Ginanguru.com
• Events: Understanding Islam in an Age of Polarization and Misinformation
• Professor Ali Asani: Nizari Ismaili Engagements with the Qur’an: The Khojas of South Asia
• Ali Asani on Beauty

 

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