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Shiʿi Studies Symposium 2026: Ritual in Shiʿi Islam at UChicago
STATUS: CLOSED — This event has taken place.
Shiʿi Studies Symposium 2026
Annual Symposium | 2026
“Ritual in Shiʿi Islam”
Key Details
| Date(s) | May 15–16, 2026 |
| Location | Chicago, USA — The University of Chicago |
| Format | In-Person |
| Organized by | The University of Chicago Shiʿi Studies Group |
| Submission Deadline | February 28, 2026 |
About the Event
The University of Chicago Shiʿi Studies Symposium is an interdisciplinary forum established in 2010 to facilitate rigorous research on Shiʿism among faculty and graduate students. The 2026 edition focuses on the theme of “Ritual,” exploring the diverse practices through which institutional, communal, and theological commitments are enacted, maintained, and contested. Using an interdisciplinary lens, the symposium examines how devotional, legal, and theological rituals across Ismaʿili, Jaʿfari, Zaydi, and other Shiʿi traditions historically constitutes the bedrock of congregational life and communal memory.
A primary objective of the gathering is to foreground intra-Shiʿi practices and beliefs, attending to the ways distinct Shiʿi groups differentiate themselves through unique thought, practice, and modes of authority, while also inviting critical analysis of Shiʿi ritual life in relation to Ibadi and Sunni communities. Building on previous themes such as walāya, the formation of centers of learning, governance, and the dynamics of sectarianism, this annual gathering continues its tradition of bringing together senior and early-career scholars to strengthen the global field of Shiʿi Studies.
Topics & Scope
- The calcification and re-invigoration of Islamic law
- The integration of the occult, talismans, and magic into devotional life
- The development of shrine spaces to accommodate and shape visitors’ ritual practices
- The regulation of grief, piety, and embodied discipline
- Ritual failure, excess, and contestation in Shiʿi practice
Target Audience
This symposium is primarily designed for university faculty, graduate students, and both senior and early-career scholars working in fields such as Islamic studies, theology, history, and the humanities.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
| Abstract Submission Deadline | February 28, 2026 |
| Response Date | March 8, 2026 |
| Symposium Dates | May 15–16, 2026 |
Speakers & Program
The program features paper presentations of approximately 20 minutes each, followed by moderated discussions between panelists and the audience. Session schedules and speakers are announced following the completion of the abstract review process.
Submission & Registration
Prospective presenters are asked to submit an abstract of approximately 300 words along with a CV, send via email to [email protected] with the subject line: “2026 UChicago Shiʿi Studies Symposium Application”.
Fees & Funding
Not specified by the organizers.
Official Links
Contact Email: [email protected]
More Information: voices.uchicago.edu/shiistudies/2026-shii-studies-symposium/cfp-2026
DISCLAIMER
This event listing is published by Tolou International Institute on February 23, 2026, based on information available from the official organizers. Tolou is not affiliated with or responsible for this event. Please verify all details — including dates, fees, and deadlines — directly with the event organizers, as information is subject to change. For registration and submissions, refer to the official event website.
Last Updated: February 23, 2026
