Annual Forums

Since 2017, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and the Institute of Knowledge Integration (IKI) have been convening scholarly forums that facilitate a transdisciplinary exchange among sociologists, scientists, environmentalists, anthropologists, historians, theologians, and social activists from 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, round tables, workshops, and training sessions to discuss the 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 21st Century: Challenges, Opportunities, and Prospects (Istanbul, 2023)
• The Integrated Approach to Social Sciences and Humanities in Central Eurasia: Issues and Perspectives (Istanbul, 2024)

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. 

8^th Forum

The International Institute of Islamic Thought and the Institute of Knowledge Integration are soliciting applications for the 8th Forum on “Centrality of the Revelation in the Muslim Thought: Exploring the Legacy of Dr. Taha Jabir Al-Alwani” which is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 3 to 7, 2025.

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 vision on a cosmic level 
• The interpretation of the Qur’an through the Qur’an
• The maqāṣid (objectives) of the Qur’an
• The position of the Sunnah in Islam and its fundamental relationship to the Qur’an
• Restoring the Divine Equilibrium (mizān) between the Revelation and reason
• The culture of disagreement in Islam
• The method of Two-Readings to integrate the Revelation and the real-existential
• Divine Revelation and the created cosmos as the sources of ma’rifah (experiential knowledge)
• Paradigm of Islamization of Knowledge, causes, meaning, and developments toward the idea of integration 
• Building up a contemporary Islamic epistemological system
• Developing methods of dealing with the Qur’an and Sunnah as the sources of thought,
• knowledge and civilization
• The crisis of mentality and Muslim intellectual production deterioration
• Reforming of Islamic thought, Muslim educational curriculum and institutions

The Institute cordially invites academicians, researchers, and experts in the Central Eurasian region to submit applications for participation in the forum.  The complete application must include a proposed title, an extended abstract (1000 words in length, containing a clear postulation of a research problem, objectives, originality, methodology, and expected findings), and brief biographical information (100 words).  Applications are due by 25 June 2025 and should be sent to [email protected]. The forum’s languages are English and Russian. Travel and accommodation expenses for selected paper presenters will be covered by the organizers.