The Insight Interviews Ep. 28 | Contemporary Shi‘ism and Shaykh Ahmad al-Waeli
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Dec 28, 2025 
Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani, an esteemed Islamic scholar and historian, dives into the life of Shaykh Ahmad al-Waeli, a pivotal figure in contemporary Shi‘ism. He explores the unique blend of al-Waeli's seminary education and modern studies, highlighting his ability to connect with both elites and everyday Iraqis. Nakshawani discusses the challenges faced by Shi'ism during the rise of Ba'athism, the intellectual renewal in Najaf, and al-Waeli’s legacy, marked by his humor and profound influence in the Shi'i community.
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Najaf's Mid-Century Intellectual Crisis
- Najaf's seminary faced intellectual challenges from secularism, nationalism, and communism in the mid-20th century.
- Sayed Ammar Nakshawani explains a generational crisis that pushed scholars to engage modern philosophy and politics.
Hybrid Scholarship Fueled His Reach
- Ahmad al-Waeli blended traditional hawza training with wide secular learning and literary culture.
- This hybrid approach let him speak to both clerics and ordinary Iraqis with equal authority.
Interdisciplinary Oratory Style
- Al-Waeli combined poetry, classical Arabic, and jurisprudential theory inside single sermons.
- Sayed Ammar Nakshawani says this intellectual mix and charisma made his minbar unique and widely appealing.
