Big Ideas: The Future of the Past

This presentation discusses the role that the material and
intellectual heritage of a community can play in shaping and
reshaping its identity, along a historical continuum. With a
brief history of the Ismaili Muslims in focus, the presentation
highlights some of the challenges faced by the modern Ismaili
community in conservation of, and engaging with their heritage,
dating back over a millennium. The talk features the heritage
conservation initiatives organised by the community, especially
in digital media, together with some of the finest pieces from
the institutional archives and collections.


Zehra Lalji is among the key contributors who created the
heritage sites archive at the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS).
At present, she serves the Institute as the Website Productions
Officer, where she is leading a number of creative digital
adaptations based on the Institute's published research.