Shafaqna English- Imam Mahdi Association of Marjaeya (I.M.A.M.) participated in the 2025 AAR–SBL Annual Meeting in Boston, joining nearly 7,800 scholars, students, and publishers from around the globe for four days of academic exchange and interfaith dialogue.
This week, I.M.A.M. participated in the 2025 Annual Meeting and Book Exhibit jointly hosted by the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) and the American Academy of Religion (AAR). Held in Boston, Massachusetts, from 22-25 November according to the organizers, this event brought together nearly 7,800 attendees, including scholars, educators, students, and publishers, making it one of the largest global gatherings in the field of religious studies.
Key Contributions
With nearly 1,000 sessions and workshops held exploring modern issues through the lenses of history, theology, ethics, and culture, this four-day event served as a hub for intellectual exchange and interfaith dialogue. I.M.A.M.’s participation underscored its commitment to fostering mutual respect among diverse traditions and promoting an understanding of Islam through the lens of the Ahlul-Bayt (AS). Visitors at the booth had the opportunity to learn about:
- I.M.A.M.’s mission and activities in North America.
- I.M.A.M.’s and Mufid Seminary’s Publications
- The scholarly contributions of the Hawzah of Najaf.
- Comparative theological, exegetical, and hadith traditions between Shia and Sunni perspectives.
- Interfaith and intrafaith dialogue, emphasizing Shia approaches.
- The life and mission of Imam Mahdi (AJ) including his occultation and re-appearance.
Significance of the AAR-SBL Annual Meeting
This marked I.M.A.M.’s third consecutive year at the AAR-SBL Annual Meeting. As the only Islamic publisher represented, I.M.A.M.’s presence was distinctive and impactful, highlighting the contributions of Twelver Shia Islam in a professional and academic space.