Final Year Project

Project Title

Ashura Culture Through Social Capital

Description

This capstone paper explores the impact of social capital on the observance of Ashura, an annual commemoration in the Shia Muslim religious tradition. Under the supervision of Dr. Moeini, the essay applies social capital as an anthropological paradigm to examine Ashura in Pakistan, Iraq, and Iran. The study analyzes how social capital influences the similarities and differences in people, ideas, traditions, cultures, practices, and rituals across these geographical contexts. The paper incorporates open interview data, secondary research, literature, and the author's personal observations and experiences as an active Shia practitioner. Through careful examination of conclusions, hypotheses, and findings, the paper demonstrates the significance of social capital in sustaining Ashura.