Highlights from I.M.A.M.’s Participation at the 2025 AAR-SBL Annual Meeting

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 November 22–25, 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 Ahl al-Bayt (p). 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 al-Mahdi (p), including His occultation and reappearance. 

Significance of the AAR-SBL Annual Meeting

This marked I.M.A.M.’s third consecutive year (after 2023) 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.