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Adab Colloquium: Proto-Secular Spaces? Mapping Infidelity in the Poetry of ʿAṭṭār

Adab Colloquium with Presenter Cyrus Ali Zargar, University of Central Florida, and Discussant Ali Altaf Mian, University of Florida

Proto-Secular Spaces? Mapping Infidelity in the Poetry of ʿAṭṭār

In this Colloquium, Cyrus Ali Zargar will discuss his article entitled "Sober in Mecca, Drunk in Byzantium: Antinomian Space in the Poetry of ʿAṭṭār." Like other classical Persian Sufi poets, ʿAṭṭār takes interest in spaces associated with infidelity: the tavern, ruins, monastery, church, and idol-temple. Subversive and even transformational, these spaces liberate the subject from, among other things, piety itself. This paper explores the idea that we might call such symbolic spaces “proto-secular.”Learn more about the Adab Colloquium at MEI here. If you are interested in attending this event please download the pre-circulated reading and RSVP below.

In this Colloquium, Cyrus Ali Zargar will discuss his article entitled "Sober in Mecca, Drunk in Byzantium: Antinomian Space in the Poetry of ʿAṭṭār."

Like other classical Persian Sufi poets, ʿAṭṭār takes interest in spaces associated with infidelity: the tavern, ruins, monastery, church, and idol-temple. Subversive and even transformational, these spaces liberate the subject from, among other things, piety itself. This paper explores the idea that we might call such symbolic spaces “proto-secular.”

Learn more about the Adab Colloquium at MEI here.

If you are interested in attending this event please download the pre-circulated reading and RSVP below.

Earlier Event: October 22
Persian Conversation Circle
Later Event: October 27
Arabic Conversation Circle: Travel and Tourism in the Middle East (Part 2)