New Published: The Pope Meets the Ayatollah: An Introduction to Shi’a Islam

With a foreword by Ayatollah Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz, a leading professor in the Islamic Seminary and a student of Grand Ayatollah Sistani, this original work provides a comprehensive background to this historic visit and an insider’s introduction to Shiʿa Islam and its worldview.

On March 5, 2021, Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church, enters Iraq for a historic visit. As he embarks on a pilgrimage to the ancient city of Ur in southern Iraq, the birthplace of Abraham, the Pope first stops in the Holy City of Najaf to meet with Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani.

Is this merely a “courtesy visit” among the many other meetings planned in the Pope’s visit to the Republic of Iraq? Or is there a deeper interest in the Ayatollah and the faith group that he represents? Between the followers of these two giants, there arc millions of people watching. Catholicism and the Roman Catholic Church are deeply rooted in the western psyche and the latter is arguably one of the most formidable and longest standing religious institutions in the western world. Shi’a Islam, however, is still obscure to most of the West.

In this timely and authoritative work, the authors provide insight into the significance of Shia Islam’s Marjaiyyah, led by Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani, as a voice of peace, tolerance, and moderation in today’s world. With a foreword by Ayatollah Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz, a leading professor in the Islamic Seminary and a student of Grand Ayatollah Sistani, this original work provides a comprehensive background to this historic visit and an insider’s introduction to Shi’a Islam and its worldview.

About the Author

Sayyid Hassan Al-Hakeem is a researcher, lecturer, and thought leader in the Shin Muslim community. He is the Executive Trustee of The Mainstay Foundation UK Al-Hakeem studied Islamic Sciences with professors of the Islamic Seminaries of Najaf and Qum and earned two master’s degrees from leading American universities.

Jalal Moughania is a lawyer, researcher, and author. He has written and translated original works on Islamic history and thought, religious authority in Shia Islam, and Shia Muslim identity and society. Moughania enarend his juris doctorate and serves as legal counsel to NGOs and companies in the US and abroad.

Table of Contents

Part I: The Pope & The Ayatollah

Saving the Cradle of Civilization

The Historic Meeting of the Pope, and the Ayatollah

Part 2: Shi’a Islam

The Vicegerents of God and Human Purpose

The Sources of Divine Guidance

Faith & Works

The Heritage of Religious

Education Religious Institutions

Part 3: Shi’a Mulims

Identity

Community Relations

Integration & Coexistence

The Doctrine of Occultation

Impacting the Occultation

Conclusion

Bibliographic Information

Title: The Pope Meets the Ayatollah: An Introduction to Shi’a Islam

Author(s): Sayyid Hassan Al-Haiceem and Jalal Moughania

Publisher: The Mainstay Foundation

 Language: English

Length: 253 pages

ISBN: 978-1943393121

Pub. Date: March 2, 2021

To Buy the Book, Click Here.