SRI had the pleasure in participating in a conference titled “Arabic Pasts: Histories and Historiography”
This event encourages a dynamic exchange of ideas, facilitating in-depth discussions on Shi‘i thought, practices, and cultural heritage. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the conference aims to advance the academic discourse on Shi’i Studies.
This annual exploratory and informal workshop offers the opportunity to reflect on methodologies, case studies, and research agendas for investigating history writing in Arabic in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond in any period from the seventh century to the present.
Papers and presentations addressing fundamental questions such as ‘Who does history represent – how and why?’ ‘How can works of fiction contribute to our understanding of the past as it was actually experienced in earlier times?’ ‘In what ways do educational institutions, museums, media organisations and proponents of heritage use history writing to shape loyalties and senses of belonging in society?’ and many more topics.
Dr. V. Khetia was part of a panel called ‘Putting the Margins in the Centre’. He presented on ‘Shia Liturgical Manuscripts as a source of intellectual history’