The Najaf Seminary: Shi'i Leadership and Political Dynamics | Dr Mohammad R. Kalantari

This seminar aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role the Najaf Seminary played in the political development of modern Iraq. It explores the various Shi’i movements that emerged in the 20th century, their struggles under Baath rule, their resilience, and their rise in contemporary Iraq. In particular, Dr Kalantari examines the importance of some prominent leaders of the Hawza: Grand Ayatollah Muhsin Al-Hakim, Grand Ayatollah Khoei, Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir Sadr, and Grand Ayatollah Sistani. Dr Mohammad R. Kalantari is a Lecturer in International Relations of the Middle East and the Director of the Centre for Islamic & West Asian Studies at Royal Holloway University of London. His research centre on the interplay of regional doctrines, elite ideologies, and political Islam. His latest book, The Clergy and the Modern Middle East: Shiʿi Political Activism in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon (Bloomsbury, 2021), examines the role of Shiʿi clerics in contemporary politics. Through interviews with key figures, the book scrutinises pivotal events like Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, the 2003 Iraq War, and the 2006 war in Lebanon. The views expressed in ICAIR’s public lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of ICAIR or the WFKSIMC. Register for ICAIR’s next event at: https://icair.ac/event Donate to ICAIR: https://donate.wf/icair Follow us on social media for ICAIR updates: WhatsApp community: https://tinyurl.com/ICAIRwhatsapp Instagram:   / icair_ac   Twitter (X):   / icair_ac   Telegram: https://t.me/icair_ac Get your copy of the Al-Qalam Journal of Advanced Islamic Research! Issue 1: https://amzn.eu/d/8hap3Yb Issue 2: https://amzn.eu/d/fIJiM2T ICAIR Annual Conference 2024: Call for Papers: https://icair.ac/cfp