Shi’a Islam, with its rich and extensive history, has played a crucial role in the evolution of Islam as both a major faith and a civilization. Shi’a Muslims account for approximately 15 percent of the total Muslim population in the world; Shi’ism has the greatest influence in the contemporary Iran where the Shia Islam is the official state religion, to which more than 90 percent of the population adhere.

Organized by the University of Religions and Denominations, the Shi’a Intensive Course endeavors to enhance scholarly attention to Shi’a Islam and offer an original and insightful understanding of its history, doctrines, and practices. Combining the classical Shi’ite thought and the current political, social and religious concerns of Shi’ite society in Iran, this program aims to offer scholarly perspectives on challenging issues that affect contemporary Iran. 

The Shiʿa Intensive Course gives you the chance to develop your knowledge, expand your international experience, and study unique and interesting subjects focusing on Shi’ism, Islam, and Iran. The course provides 26 hours of specialized lectures by experts of the field (along with Q & A sessions and free discussion) per week.

Taking part in URD’s Shiʿa Intensive Course is the perfect way to enjoy one of the world’s most unique cities, Qom. Our social programs let you experience the best of the city, while our class schedule provides plenty of opportunities to explore Shi’a Islam in Iran. You could even opt for an extra 4-day cultural tour to truly immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere that Iran has to offer.

This program is accredited by the University of Religions and Denominations. Participants will attend pre-planned workshops and lectures presented in English, and a special certificate will be awarded to each participant upon successful completion and meeting program requirements.

*In order to apply please refer to the respective pages or click here to access the application form.

Please click here to access our course brochure*

Program at a Glance

Call for Guest Speakers

Participants who are interested in presenting a lecture, please email us an abstract for your suggested topic at: iisccenter@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you.