Voices of IIS

The fifth episode of The Voices of History, released to mark World Teachers' Day, asks veteran teachers from Ismaili communities a simple question: what inspired you to become a teacher? Their answers span five geographies and more than six decades of classroom practice.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of two teachers and scholars: Rai Dr Sayyid Jalal Hosseini Badakhchani, who devoted his life to researching, preserving and teaching Ismaili thought, history and literature, first in Iran and later at The Institute of Ismaili Studies; and Alwaez Vazir Fida Ali Aisar, who spent more than six decades in Gilgit-Baltistan training generations of teachers, preachers and educators.

Do you know an elder who spent a lifetime teaching, or who still remembers the teacher who changed the direction of their life? If you would like to contribute their story, please contact the Oral History Project Coordinator, Rizwan Karim, at [email protected].

Dr Gurdofarid Miskinzoda is an alumna of the IIS' Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities. She first heard of IIS in 1991, as a schoolgirl, at a village gathering in Tajikistan. She holds a BA and MA in Arabic and Persian studies from Moscow State University, and a PhD from SOAS, University of London. Dr Miskinzoda now serves as one of the co-heads of the Department of Education and managing editor of the Shiʿi Heritage Series. In this conversation, she traces the family and the teachers who carried her from Khorog to Moscow to London. That path ran through a civil war, a contested scholarship, and a four-hour interview at a Moscow airport. She explains why Shiʿi studies sat on the margins of the field for so long. She describes how IIS built the Shiʿi Heritage Series across the whole Shiʿi tradition. She closes on the alumni, on 50 years of IIS, and on why she cannot separate her scholarship from her life. 

[0:00] Introduction & welcome 

[1:22] A village gathering in 1991, a father's decision 

[6:00] Chemistry, chickens, and a grandfather's locked cupboard 

[7:21] Civil war and the move to Khorog State University 

[9:10] The scholarship argument and the journey to Moscow 

[12:01] Teachers in Moscow,  script lessons and seminars at home 

[14:28] Finding the sira, a way into Islamic history 

[15:58] The GPISH prospectus and a chance conversation 

[19:03] Two rejections, then an interview at an airport 

[22:42] Why Shiʿi studies sat on the margins 

[26:33] What IIS did differently 

[27:45] The Shiʿi Heritage Series and the debate over the title 

[31:20] Teaching , what students should take away 

[35:27] Academic rigour and the lived faith of communities 

[39:40] Alumni and impact 

[42:47] Fifty years of IIS, and what will last 

[45:07] "There is no beyond for me." 

[48:16] Closing remarks 

Qudsia Shah is an alumna of IIS' Graduate Program in Islamic Studies and Humanities who joined the Institute in 2003 after working in development in Pakistan with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, the First Microfinance Bank, and Save the Children. She holds degrees in English Literature and Economics, Economics, and the Social Anthropology of Development, and now serves as a senior research officer in constituency studies, having recently marked 13 years at IIS. In this conversation, she reflects on her winding path to London, her unexpected calling into IIS, and the highlights of her career — including a landmark FAQ paper on Jamatkhana submitted to Imam Shah Karim, her collaborative work on Muslim biomedical ethics, her growing focus on climate change and its impact on Ismaili communities like those in Gilgit-Baltistan, and her upcoming monograph for the Living Ismaili Tradition series. She closes with reflections on connection, empathy, and kindness as the guiding themes of her personal and intellectual journey.

[0:00] Introduction & welcome

[1:39] Journey to IIS — her unexpected trajectory begins

[2:34] The pull toward London despite reluctance [4:29] Applying to IIS as a "rite of passage"

[12:02] Returning to Pakistan and the path back to IIS

[13:17] Marriage, Chicago, and finding her way back

[13:41] Joining IIS — "the rest is history"

[13:39] Reflecting on 13 years — early achievements

[16:55] The FAQ response paper submitted to Imam Shah Karim

[22:08] Biomedical ethics project and key collaborators

[22:08] Work on climate change and its personal significance

[29:23] Founding the IIS Book Club

[29:52] The Living Ismaili Traditions monograph project

[34:34] Closing reflections — connection, empathy, kindness

[37:30] Closing remarks

Naureen Ali, Cataloguer and Adlib Officer for the Ismaili Special Collections Unit at The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), reflects on almost 13 years at IIS and the journey that brought her there. She shares the realities of cataloguing rare manuscripts, photographs, and artefacts, a memorable project celebrating the legacy of the 49th Ismaili Imam, and the delicate work of preserving fragile heritage items. Looking ahead, she discusses the shift towards a "distributed museum" model and new digital tools for engaging with the collections, closing with personal reflections on the fascination with objects that keeps her inspired. 

0:00 — Introduction & Naureen's background 

2:40 — The Ismaili Special Collections: manuscripts, photos, coins, and more 

3:38 — Her journey to studying and working at IIS 

8:46 — Most memorable project: the Ismaili Imam Shah Karim photo gallery 

10:08 — Challenges of working with fragile historical materials 

17:16 — Postgraduate studies in archives and records management 

19:34 — The future: distributed museums and digital access 

22:56 — Personal reflections on what inspires her 

Dr. Daryoush Mohammad Poor, Associate Professor and Interim Head of Constituency Studies at IIS, reflects on his unconventional path from studying mathematics in Iran to becoming a scholar of Ismaili philosophy. He recounts how an early encounter with an IIS graduate sparked a lifelong dream to join the Institute, how he navigated a circuitous route through student visas, college courses, and translation work to finally establish himself at IIS, and how his family's generations-deep tradition of community service shaped his sense of purpose. He speaks candidly about what IIS means to him as an intellectual and spiritual home, the influence of colleagues like Professor Mohammad Arkoun, his teaching philosophy, and his ongoing effort to construct a unified, methodologically coherent narrative of Ismaili philosophy. He closes with reflections on what truly inspires him from calligraphy and music to his family.  Towards the end, he treats the audience to a live performance on the sitar. 

[0:02] Introduction & welcome 

 [1:11] Journey to IIS — the strange trajectory begins  

[3:38] Arriving in the UK and joining IIS informally 

[5:46] Entry point — translation work and the encyclopaedia project 

[6:05] Where the dream began — the IIS graduate in his home town  

[8:06] Family legacy of community service  

[9:13] What IIS means personally and professionally 

 [10:42] The spiritual bond within the Ismaili community  

[11:36] The Imam's vision — balancing faith and intellect  

[13:43] Current research and intellectual passions  

[20:07] IIS over 20 years — achievements and the website/social media evolution [22:26] Influence of Professor Mohammad Arkoun on his thinking  

[24:50] Building a unified narrative of Ismaili philosophy — the methodology of critical rationalism  

[27:41] Upcoming publications and papers 

 [28:34] What inspires him — life, family, calligraphy, music  

[30:11] Live sitar performance  

[32:32] Closing remarks 

The Oral History Project's fourth episode of The Voices of History marks Children's Day in the UK. Host Murtaza travels across Syria, Iran, India, East Africa, and Chitral to uncover childhood memories from the 1940s to the 1960s — seven elders, five countries, and decades of memory that exist nowhere but in the voices of those who lived them.

Dr Dagikhudo Dagiev, Senior Research Associate in Shiʿi Studies and Coordinator of IIS PhD Scholarships and Fellowships at IIS, reflects on his remarkable journey from Soviet-era Tajikistan to becoming a scholar of Central Asian Ismaili studies. He speaks about growing up during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the civil war in Tajikistan, his first encounters with IIS through the Khorog English Preparatory Programme, and how His Highness the Aga Khan's emphasis on learning English became a defining turning point for him. He shares what it has meant personally and professionally to be part of IIS for over two decades, discusses his mentorship under Dr Farhad Daftary, and reflects on the rich intellectual traditions of the Greater Khorasan region. He also offers an inspiring message for those who feel it may be too late to pursue their ambitions, and gives a glimpse into his two forthcoming books.

[0:04] Introduction & Guest Background  

[1:16] Journey from Tajikistan — Early life and context  

[2:12] His Highness the Aga Khan's visit and the turning point (learning English)  

[3:03] First encounters with IIS (through KEPP)  

[4:59] Meeting early GPISH graduates & connection to the community  

[5:05] How background and upbringing shaped his scholarship 

 [6:50] What being at IIS means — personally and professionally  

[7:41] Life at IIS — academic immersion and memorable lecturers 

 [9:27] Current research focus and what drew him to it  

[9:40] Edinburgh preparation and Syrian encounter that inspired his path  

[10:55] Bibliography on Central Asian Ismailis (Dr Daftary's mentorship)  

[17:12] Reflecting on 25+ years at IIS  

[17:35] Joining IIS formally (2004) and working with Dr Daftary  

[19:53] Looking ahead — upcoming projects  

[20:03] Two forthcoming books and the Greater Khorasan conference  

[24:27] Final reflections   

[24:49] Inspiring message  

[26:52] Personal story — meeting his wife and family life  

Dr Farhad Daftary, Director Emeritus and Governor of The Institute of Ismaili Studies, reflects on the personal and intellectual journey that led him from economics to becoming one of the most influential scholars in Shiʿi and Ismaili studies. He speaks about his family connection to the Aga Khan lineage, his early encounters with modern Ismaili scholarship, the turning points that shaped his career, and the growth of the field over the past six decades. He also shares advice for younger scholars, reflects on the legacy of his work, and offers a glimpse into his current research.

Chapter Breakdown:

[0:00] Introduction & Guest Background

[1:41] Family Roots & Early Interest in Ismaili History

[4:10] Discovering Ismaili Studies at Berkeley

[7:17] From Economics to Scholarship

[9:00] The Iranian Revolution & A New Direction

[12:02] Early Writing, Research & Academic Validation

[13:41] Discovering IIS & First Encounters in London

[17:01] Joining The Institute of Ismaili Studies

[19:30] Publishing Foundational Works in the Field

[20:32] How Ismaili Studies Has Evolved

[25:52] Advice for Students & Early Career Scholars

[28:04] Reflections on Legacy & Scholarly Contribution

[29:53] A Personal Passion for Piano

[31:48] Current Research on Hasan Sabbah

[34:42] Closing Reflections

Dr Amier Saidula reflects on his journey from a State Prosecutor in China to a Senior Research Associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies. He speaks about his multicultural upbringing in Kashgar, his career in law, and the unexpected path that brought him to IIS. After more than two decades researching Muslims in China, particularly the Ismaili community, he found renewed purpose and a platform for his voice.

Chapter Breakdown:

[0:00] Introduction & Guest Background

[1:07] Early Life in Kashgar & Family Heritage

[2:58] Mother's Influence & Early Writing

[5:29] University Success & Legal Career Launch

[7:48] Life as a State Prosecutor

[9:36] Career Advancement & Glass Ceiling

[13:52] Discovery of IIS & Seven-Year Journey

[16:39] Serendipitous Connections to IIS

[20:02] Arrival in London & the Graduate Programme

[21:31] Becoming a Research Associate

[22:36] Most Meaningful Achievement: Finding His Voice

[24:08] Languages & What He Loves About His Work

[26:32] Upcoming Projects: Monographs & Documentary

[27:24] Closing Remarks

In this episode of Voices of IIS, Dr. Toby Mayer reflects on his two-decade journey at The Institute of Ismaili Studies. With a half-Indian, half-English heritage, he pursued his undergraduate degree in Indian Studies at Cambridge before transitioning to medieval Arabic thought at Oxford. He discusses his forthcoming work on al-Shahrastani's esoteric Quranic commentary, which seeks to bridge Eastern and Western intellectual traditions while exploring the rational and mystical dimensions of Islamic thought.

00:00 Introduction

00:51 Indian Studies and what drew him to the field

01:05 Gap year experience working in India

02:10 Transition from Indian Studies to Arabic and Islamic studies

03:52 Personal encounters with Sufism and Islamic thought

04:49 Languages and working with medieval texts

05:54 Joining IIS and two decades of work

06:15 Memorable conferences and collaborations

07:57 The 2019 Esoteric Cultures of Scripture conference

08:21 Working with the late Professor Madelung

09:42 Teaching in the Graduate Programme

10:12 IIS's unique approach to Quranic studies

11:31 Forthcoming esoteric texts series

12:15 Current work on Shahristan's Quran commentary

13:25 Bridge-building between East and West, modernity and tradition

15:18 Personal interests in music, art, and human expression

16:19 Closing thoughts and gratitude