Translations of Zaynab: Negotiating Space, Memory & Justice with Dr. Noor Zaidi – The Second Annual Imam Hussein (AS) Lecture on Social Justice

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Location: HQ 136

How do we understand the role of a historical figure whose name has echoed in communities across space and time? Based on archival research and fieldwork in Syria, Pakistan, and Iraq, this talk explores the way the memory of Zaynab bint Ali is drawn upon and reconstructed in different sociopolitical contexts, as a means of negotiating and claiming space in nationalist narratives, and complicating notions of gender, sect, and citizenship.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Noor Zaidi as the 2023 Imam Hussein (AS) Lecturer on Social Justice at Yale.

The Annual Imam Imam Hussein Lecture on Social Justice began in 2022. Inspired by the life, theology and spirituality of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, this annual lecture features leading thinkers, scholars, activists and cultural producers from the Shia Muslim tradition as they explore the broad themes of social, economic, and political justice. Imam Hussein (upon whom be peace) is, in his life and sacrifice, the embodiment of the Divine and Prophetic call to establish justice, mercy, and compassion in the world. His example and the example of his family continues inspire people of conscience to struggle against systems of oppression and exploitation, in order to establish the truly beloved community.

The lecture is presented by the Muslim Leadership Lab at Dwight Hall in partnership with the Shia Racial Justice Coalition and the Muslim Life Program at the Yale Chaplain’s Office.