Annual Forums

Since 2017, the Institute of Knowledge Integration (IKI), supported by the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), has organized scholarly forums that promote transdisciplinary exchange among scholars, researchers, and activists from diverse academic disciplines within the Central Eurasian region. The primary objective of these forums is to cultivate a scholarly environment among Muslim intellectuals of the region and enable them with the skills to harmoniously integrate the Qur’anic worldview and Islamic value framework into the study of diverse intellectual and socio-religious issues. During the forums, participants engage in scholarly panels, roundtables, workshops, and training sessions to discuss ways to steer knowledge in a direction where its foundational revealed premises and a value-oriented approach guide it, thereby fulfilling Islamic objectives (maqāṣid) and promoting a balanced and holistic perspective.

Additionally, interactions with participants continue beyond the forum auditoriums. The institute promotes mutually beneficial networking with participants of previous forums, selected papers are published as chapters in academic books, and participants frequently enroll in the institute's online educational programs or apply for research grants.

The List of Previous Forums

• Forum on Revealed Knowledge and Social Sciences (Istanbul, 2017)
• Islamic Education in the CIS Countries (Kuala Lumpur, 2018)
• Islamic Intellectual Thought in the CIS Countries (Istanbul, 2019)
• Islamic Learning in Eastern and Central Europe: Historical Features and Contemporary Perspectives (Kyiv, 2020)
• The Past and Future of Islamic Thought in the CIS Countries: Prospects for Reforms and Integration of Knowledge (Istanbul, 2022)
• Muslims of Central Eurasia in the 21^st Century: Challenges, Opportunities, and Prospects (Istanbul, 2023)
• The Integrated Approach to Social Sciences and Humanities in Central Eurasia: Issues and Perspectives (Istanbul, 2024)
• Centrality of the Revelation in the Muslim Thought: Exploring the Legacy of Dr. Taha Jabir Al-Alwani (Istanbul, 2025)

Eligibility

Established scholars, researchers, and postgraduate students from the Central Eurasian region, whose research interests are related to integrating the Qur’anic worldview and Islamic value framework into the study of diverse intellectual and socio-religious issues, restoring the equilibrium between the Revelation and human intellect, and formulating methods to engage with the Qur’an as a foundation and source of thought, knowledge, and civilization, are eligible to participate in forums.

9^th Forum

The Institute of Knowledge Integration, in collaboration with the Alliance of Civilizations Institute (Ibn Haldun University) and International Institute of Islamic Thought, is soliciting applications for the 9th Forum on “Muslim Societies in Central Eurasia: Intellectual Legacy, Contemporary Realities, and Future Directions,” which is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 23 to 27, 2026.

The spectrum of topics for in-depth discussions at the forum encompasses the following:

• The message of the Qur’an as an alternative methodological and epistemological framework in the globalized era 
• Developing methods of dealing with the Qur’an and Sunnah as the sources of thought,
knowledge and civilization
• The legacy of Jadidism (Islamic revivalism) and the role of regional Muslim intellectual thought in shaping an integrated paradigm in social sciences 
• A value-oriented approach to social sciences in the light of regional initiatives  
• Prospects for the implementation of the integration of knowledge initiatives in Islamic and secular educational institutions in Central Eurasia 
• Reforming Islamic thought, Muslim educational curriculum, and institutions in the Central Eurasian context 
• New approaches towards enhancing economic well-being 
• New approaches towards understanding inner (spiritual) well-being 
• The culture of disagreement in Islam
• Challenges of Muslims in Central Eurasian Muslim-minority countries 
• Building bridges of understanding in Central Eurasian multi-religious communities 
• Muslims’ identity and daily life in Central Eurasia

The organizers cordially invite scholars, researchers, and experts from the Central Eurasian region to submit applications to participate in the forum, whose research interests are related to integrating the Qur’anic worldview and Islamic value framework into the study of diverse intellectual and socio-religious issues. The application is expected to focus on one of the topics listed above and provide a comprehensive original study. 

The complete application must include a proposed title, an extended abstract (1000-word text, containing a clear statement of the research problem, objectives, originality, methodology, and expected findings), and brief biographical information of the applicant (100 words).  Applications are due by 15 May 2026 and should be sent to [email protected]. If the application is accepted, the full paper (5000-7000 words) is anticipated to be submitted by 15 August 2026. Selected high-quality papers will be published as an edited book after the event.

The forum’s languages are English and Russian. Travel and accommodation expenses for selected paper presenters will be covered by the organizers.