Phenomenology of Islamic Prayer

Phenomenology of Islamic Prayer

Friday, April 26

9:00am - 6:45pm

Room 509 Knox Hall

A conference led by Souleymane Bachir Diagne.

How and why was the commandment of prayer established? What is its significance in connection with the Prophet's Ascent (Mi'raj)? How should we comprehend the time of prayer as different from the serial time of our works and days? How should we understand also the different times of the five prayers?

For example the systematic grouping of zuhr and asr on the one hand, maghrib and isha on the other hand by Shi'i Muslims while such a grouping is exceptional among Sunni Muslims? What interpretations for the very gestures accomplished during a prayer? How do we decipher the signs that are written by the praying body? These are some of the questions that will be raised.