This summer, several IKI Academy Professors and students participated in a Summer School program themed Integration of Knowledge: Islamic Thought and Contemporary Society, which was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 15th to 22nd June 2022, and organized by IIIT (International Institute of Islamic Thought), IDI (International Development Institute) and supported by IKI. Overall, it was an engaging and productive program with a wide range of topics within the disciplines of social sciences and Islamic studies, with a special emphasis on contemporary issues prevailing in contemporary Muslim societies.
Altogether, 20 students from 7 countries participated in the program. They had an opportunity to learn from the leading scholars in the field of integration of knowledge through their lectures and discussion, as well as engaged in meaningful interactions with other likeminded graduate students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. In addition to lectures, the participants also had an opportunity to experience traditional Kyrgyz culture, cuisine and nature. On their last day of stay, a tour to one of Kyrgyzstan’s most exquisite sites, the alpine lake of Issyk Kul, was organized.
From IKI Academy teaching staff, four professors participated in the program with lectures and trainings. Dr. Ildus Rafikov, Managing Director of IKI, delivered two lectures, titled Integration of Knowledge: Concept and Practice and New Maqasid Methodology: Re-envisioning Islamic Scholarship. Director for Academic Affairs, Professor Dr. Elmira Akhmetova gave three lectures at the Summer School, namely Main Principles of Islamic Civilisation; Importance of Historical and Social Context in Studying Muslim Intellectual Thought, and The Importance of Worldview for Research. Dr. Omar Hisham Altalib, IKI lecturer in social sciences disciplines, delivered lecturers on Parenting in the Future and Spiritual and Social Development, and Islam and Reform. Another IKI lecturer, Elvira Kulieva presented about Orientalism in the Post-Soviet Context.
Other speakers included Professor Dr. Omar Kasule, Secretary General of IIIT; Dr. Anas Al-Shaikh Ali, Director and Academic Advisor, IIIT London Office; Dr. Ziauddin Sardar and others.
