An International science symposium titled “The philosophy of Islam” was held in the Congress hall “H. Salim Šabić” in the Islamic culture center in Zagreb, organized by the Mešihat of the Islamic community in Croatia, the Research institute “Ibn Sina” in Sarajevo and the Bosniak national community for the city of Zagreb and the Zagreb municipality.
During the introductory address, the Mešihat’s president, mufti of Zagreb and academic Aziz-ef. Hasanović emphasized that this symposium is being held traditionally for the 28th time, upon the annual occasion of the opening of the Islamic center in Zagreb.
– The Islamic center in Zagreb is an international center of knowledge, and an oasis of rational thought. This is best approved by the fact that we are gathering to discuss important topics for the 28th time.
The Islamic center in Zagreb with its contents has become a center for science, inter-religious dialogue and familiarization.
Throughout the years, topics which were not spoken about, and even less written of, were opened to discussion. The co-organizers of the symposium were many in number throughout the last 28 years. Keeping in mind the intellectual potential for this year’s participants, we can expect that the symposium will offer new reflections and directions. A topic such as the one prepared for this year carries the task of strengthening even more the reflections upon Islam and encouraging further dialogue.
I hope that this scientific gathering will be of all-round benefit – said mufti Hasanović, who declared the symposium to be open for the public.
Muftija Hasanović: The Islamic center in Zagreb is an international center for knowledge, and an oasis of rational thought.
The idea of this symposium is the opening of a constant channel of philosophical, theological, sociological, cultural, critical, artistic, and scientific (in the entire scope of the word’s meaning) attempts at understanding Islam and all of its segments, the critical evaluation of the history of Islamic philosophy and Islamic culture, as well the comparison of theological, cultural, philosophical and other dimensions of monotheistic religions.
Another important idea is the bringing forth and demonstrating of the intersectionality of scientific, cultural, philosophical and theological interests and intellectual efforts of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to the best of our capacity the on-going international tendencies towards mutual understanding between religions and religious hierarchies.
Professor, dr. Sead Alić, one of the participants of the symposium, emphasized that the “Philosophy of Islam” is an important topic, chiefly today and especially in this part of Europe.
– It is important to speak of this, primarily and mostly because little is known about Islamic philosophy, but also in a broader sense, little is known about the cultural dimension of Islam.
In a situation which constantly produces types of impatience and misunderstanding, it is important that we get to know one another better, and we will only get to know each other the best by engaging with the core and essence of that which we call Islam, and that which we may call the philosophical interpretation and dimension of Islam – stated Alić.
The presentors for the first day of the symposium are academic Enes Karić, Hujjatullah Dr. Hamid Shahriari and Senad Hevešević M.A.
– My presentation bears the title of “Knowledge and science in the conceptualization of educational and pedagogic reforms of modern Muslim thought”, or put in simple words: how can we connect religion and science in the modern age, in such a way that will bring the most benefit to humanity in its entirety and in the best way that will realize all those universal values which Islam promotes – Hevešević stated.
Words of welcome and greetings to those present were given by the president of the IOM of Zagreb, Nermin Botonjić M.A., and the first session was moderated by dr. Aldin Dugonjić.
During the second day of the symposium, among the speakers were included prof. dr. Fahira Fejzić-Čengić, prof. dr. Hilmo Neimarlija, prof. dr. Amir Karić, prof. dr. Adnan Jahić, prof. dr. Sead Alić and others.
