History, Religion, Politics, Culture, and Travels in the Islamic World
Shivan Mahendrarajah’s book, The Sufi Saint of Jam: History, Religion, and Politics of a Sunni Shrine in Shi‘i Iran (Cambridge University Press, 2021) explores the history, religion, politics, and architecture of Ahmad-i-Jam’s shrine, located in eastern Iran. Sunni shrine and community have thrived for over 900 years. This is of particular relevance given prevailing assumptions about Iran’s alleged sectarian and intolerant Shi‘i theocracy.
St. Matthew writes of men from the east visiting Jesus. His narrative reflects a Zoroastrian prophecy. The “Wise Men” who came to Bethlehem from Iran were Zoroastrian priests (magi) who had seen the star and believed Jesus was their expected Savior—“Saoshyant.”
The Assad regime afforded protections to Syria’s diverse minority faiths: assorted Christian denominations, Alawi Shiʿa (Nusayri), Druze, and Twelver Shiʿa. The Barbarians are inside the gates; the future of Syrian Christianity is uncertain. A photoblog, with commentary on Christianity in Damascus and Ma‘aloula.
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