Episode 31: An Interview with Dr. Liyakat Takim, Islamic Studies Professor at the University of Denver,
Colarado
Length: 29:19
Recorded on January 15, 2007 in Washington, DC (Dr. Takim joined in via phone from Colorado)
Click the image of the audio sign to play.
Synopsis: In this interview, the first of our Muharram series, Dr. Takim gives an overview of the significance of Karbala and offers his thoughts on what changes he has noticed in the commemoration (Azadari) of Imam Husayn's saga. Dr. Takim also offers suggestions of what we can do to make the meaning of Ashura more relevant and applicable in our lives.
Bio: Dr. Takim holds a Phd from the Schol of Oriental and African Studies in London and currently serves as a Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Denver, Colorado. His Ph.D. dissertation "Dissension and the Struggle for Authority in Shi'i Biographical Literature" has been revised and published under the title The Heirs of the Prophet: Charisma and Religious Authority in Shi'ite Islam (SUNY Press, 2006). In addition, he is involved in a joint research project entitled "Muslims in the American Public Square," undertaken for the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. Dr. Takim's teaching interests include courses on Islamic mysticism, classical and contemporary Islam, and Islam in comparative perspective.
To listen to an interview about his book, The Heirs of the Prophet, tune in to Qunoot Episode 24 by clicking here
To purchase his book, click on the image of his book on the left.
If you have listend to the Qunootcast above, you probably noticed that this podcast did not start with the usual qunoot podcast theme. We have instead started with the opening lines of the ziyarah or salutation on the 3rd Imam, Husayn bin Ali (as), who was martyed in Karbala, Iraq on the 10th day of Muharram, a day known as Ashura.
To mark this sacred month, the Qunoot team has put together a series of podcasts that reflect upon the meaning and the signficance of the martydom of Imam Husayn.
We hope you find them beneficial in learning and/or observing this sacred month.
What is Qunoot?
Qunoot is an act of supplication performed with the hands uplifted, showing devoutness and obedience to God; considered the pinnacle of humility and piety during Salat (prayer).
Why call ourselves the "Qunoot Foundation"? What is our goal?
The Qunoot Foundation was started in November 2005 as a platform for American Shia-Muslim youth and young professionals to articulate their political, socioeconomic, cultural, and gender-related perspectives on both the Shia community and the Muslim community at large.
In short, our goal is to create spaces and programs that empower American Shia youth and young professionals to stand up and raise their hands and voices for a more just and egalitarian Muslim and global community, much like in qunoot.
How does the Qunoot Foundation achieve its goals? Currently we have four ongoing projects:
1) A biweekly Qunoot Foundation Media podcast series called "Qunootcast".
2) Qunoot Foundation funded internships at CAIR and MPAC to focus on intra-Muslim dialogue and networks.
3) Timely forums on issues essential to the development of critical awareness, activism, and networks.
4) An upcoming Qunoot Foundation Media film entitled “A Broken Promise” about sectarian violence in Pakistan.
What is the purpose of the Qunootcast series?
Qunootcast is a critical audio-series about American Shia-Muslim Cultures, Politics, Religion, and Society. Topics covered in Qunootcast episodes are meant to foster critical awareness, activism, and a sense of community amongst Shia-Muslim youth and young professionals. Qunootcast provides a venue for Shia activists, organizational leaders, academics, and religious scholars to present their knowledge, activitism, organizations, and research to a larger audience. Through the series, Shia youth and young professionals acquire a greater understanding of their religious faith and community, are promoted to take leadership roles in the American Muslim community, and how to effectively participate in the public affairs and civic organizations of the United States.
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