A conversation with Jon Armajani, Ph.D.

Moderated by: Jason Schlude, Ph.D.

Sponsored and Organized by: Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at Saint John’s University

The recently published book Shia Islam and Politics: Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon by Jon Armajani was the subject of this event. The book argues that since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, which established a Shia Islamic government in Iran, that country’s religious and political leaders have used Shia Islam as a crucial way of expanding Iran’s objectives in the Middle East and beyond. The book analyzes Shia Islam and politics in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, which have among the largest proportional Shia populations in the Middle East and are vibrant centers of Shia intellectual life. At the same time, it explores Shia worldviews, governmental structures, education, and social service while considering Shia Islam and politics beyond those three countries.

This program on 22 September, 2020 began with a brief presentation by Professor Armajani, followed by an interview with him about the book and an open question-and-answer session.

Jon Armajani is professor in the Peace Studies Department at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. He is the author of Dynamic Islam: Liberal Muslim Perspectives in a Transitional Age (2004), Modern Islamist Movements: History, Religion, and Politics (2012), and Shia Islam and Politics: Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon (2020). He coedited with James E. Lindsay Historical Dimensions of Islam: Pre-Modern and Modern Periods; Essays in Honor of R. Stephen Humphreys (2009).

Source: csbsju.edu