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International Seminar on the Future of Islamic Civilization in Encountering the Global Challenges
Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Kediri (STAIN KEDIRI) organized an International Seminar on "The Future of Islamic Civilization in Encountering the Global Challenges" on May 2nd, 2009. Among the paper presenters were Prof. Dr. Osman Bakar, Prof. Dr. Mulyadi Kartanegara, Prof Mark Wardwood (Arizona Univ), Prof Machasin (Director of Ministry of Religious Affairs) and Dr Fahmi Zarkasyi (Director of INSIST). Prof. Dr. Osman also attended a seminar on "Structure of Knowledge as the Basis of Multidiscipline Studies" organized by IAN Surabaya. The seminar was attended by Prof. Dr. Nur Syams (Recktor of IAN Surabaya) academic staff and post-graduate students.
The Spiritual and Ethical Foundation of Science and Technology in Islamic Civilization
Prof. Dr. Osman Bakar
Muslim scientists and technologists have for centuries pursued their scientific and technological activities within a spiritual and ethical framework. There was a profound reason for their insistence on such a framework. They believed in an epistemology in which unity of science and technology and spiritual knowledge is duly maintained. They defended this belief by appealing to both revelation (wahy) and reason ('aql) or to both religious (naqliy) and intellectual ('aqliy) arguments. By naqliy arguments we mean arguments that are drawn from the Qur'an, the Hadiths, and other transmitted sources. For 'aqliy arguments on the other hand, we mean philosophical and scientific arguments that are assembled for the purpose at hand through the independent exercise of reason. In Islamic intellectual tradition, these two types of arguments are not considered as opposed to each other but rather complementary and corroborative... read more
Traditional Muslim Classifications of the Sciences:
Comparative Notes on Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi and Ibn Khaldun
Prof. Dr. Osman Bakar
Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) was born two decades after the death of Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi (1236-1311). This means that we may treat them as contemporaries. Those who know the life history of these two notable and fascinating Muslim intellectuals could find it quite interesting making comparisons and contrasts between them. Ibn Khaldun, an Arab by birth, was a philosopher-historian; Qutb al-Din, who hailed from Shiraz, a city of historic importance in the Persian-speaking world, was a philosopher-scientist. Both traveled extensively in the Muslim world, both as a scholar and as a diplomat, for the two had been patronized by the rulers of their day. In the modern world, both have become famous, mainly because of their original scientific contributions to their respective fields of specialization. Let us first consider the fame of Qutb al-Din. He is well-known today, particularly for his contributions to astronomy and optics. His innovative treatment of planetary motion at the prestigious Maraghah School of Astronomy - the "NASA at Cape Kennedy of his day" - resulted in the world's first successful attempt at the construction of a model of planetary motion for Mercury. Some modern historians of science even claim that Qutb al-Din's astronomical works influenced the later development of astronomy in the West, especially on Copernicus. In optics, Qutb al-Din is remembered for his achievement as the first scientist to have given a qualitatively correct explanation of the cause of the rainbow. He has many other contributions to Islamic thought and civilization, but the scope of this essay does not allow me to discuss them...read more
Beyond the Clash of Civilizations:
Reimagining the World in the Post-Huntington, Post-George W. Bush Era
Prof. Dr. Mark Woodward
Professor Samuel Huntington died at the age of 81 on December 24th 2008. Huntington was Professor of Government at Harvard University and will be remembered as being among the most influential American Political Scientists of the twentieth century. He is best known for his influential and highly controversial "Clash of Civilizations" thesis. No matter, what one's opinion of Huntington's analysis of world events and the contemporary world system, it is necessary to concede that he was a person of tremendous intellect. He was the author of 17 books and more than 90 academic articles. He also served as advisor to Presidents Johnson and Carter. He was something of a prodigy. He graduated from Yale University in New Haven Connecticut, one of the finest in the United States, at the age of 18. He began his teaching career at Harvard, in 1949 at the age of only 22 and soon became one of the most distinguished members of this most distinguished faculty... read more
Understanding Islam and the West:
Reflection for future Relationship
Dr. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi
One may infer that relations between Islam and the West have never been a model of harmony. However, such an inference is subject to further consideration, since historical facts suggested that Islam-West relationship was filled not only with clashes and confrontation, competition and challenge but also with admiration, acceptance, collaboration and cooperation in diverse areas of interaction resulted in harmonious and peaceful relationship. Therefore, the future relationship should be constructed from historical perspective by learning the positive aspect of mutual respect and understanding and not historical prejudice
Understanding Islam and the West:
Reflection for future Relationship
Dr. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi
One may infer that relations between Islam and the West have never been a model of harmony. However, such an inference is subject to further consideration, since historical facts suggested that Islam-West relationship was filled not only with clashes and confrontation, competition and challenge but also with admiration, acceptance, collaboration and cooperation in diverse areas of interaction resulted in harmonious and peaceful relationship. Therefore, the future relationship should be constructed from historical perspective by learning the positive aspect of mutual respect and understanding and not historical prejudice...
shahran@i-epistemology.net
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