The participants at the conference organised by Ibn Khaldun Center for Humanities and Social Sciences at QU in collaboration with IHU in Turkey and Al Jazeera Center for Studies.
Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with Ibn Khaldun University (IHU) in Istanbul, Turkey and Al Jazeera Center for Studies, hosted the Second International Conference on “National Pluralism in the Middle East: Towards a Common Civilizational Framework,” with the participation of heads of government, foreign ministers, diplomats, international and Arab researchers.
This conference attempts to broaden the discussion on nationalism in the Islamic World not in terms of its internal structure, but in terms of its interaction with other nationalities and ethnic groups within the landscape of the Middle East.
It also seeks to shed light on the kinds of political and ideological attempts to exploit national pluralism, and the prospects of reconciling between the four ethnic groups in the Middle East: Arabs, Turks, Persians, and Kurds. Notable figures attending the event include Former Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, Former Foreign Minister of Iran Kamal Kharazi and President of Ibn Khaldun University (IHU),
Dr Recep Şentürk.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Qatar University President Dr Hassan Al Derham stressed that the conference discusses one of the most important issues that has preoccupied public opinion in the region for decades, which is ‘the national issue’ and has been a central issue in Islam since the start of the 20th century. Dr Al Derham says, “QU is working tirelessly to serve the Qatari community.”
“Through its strategy, it aims to help Qatar in its overall efforts towards a new future, which tackles political, civilisational and economic development issues. Today we are in the presence of a number of important personalities that have played major political roles in their respective countries.”
The Director of Ibn Khaldun Center for Humanities & Social Sciences at QU, Dr Nayef Nahar Al Shamari, who moderated the first session in the conference on national projects, welcomed attendees and praised the increase of cultural awareness, appreciation and activities in Qatar, saying following the blockade, the Qatari community has a healthy and increased interest in cultural issues.
Former Tunisian Prime Minister, Hamadi Jebali, spoke at the event stressing the importance of universities role in helping societies through active research. He also spoke about the Islamic identity, saying that the Holy Quran prefers piety to race and lineage, with the goal being mutual respect between different peoples regardless of their backgrounds.
Former Foreign Minister of Iran, Kamal Kharazi, said in his lecture that the Muslim nation as a whole must find solutions to their differences in unity away from foreign intervention. He explained that dialogue must take place in a new spirit and scholars of different nations must hold consultative meeting to exchange views.
President of Ibn Khaldun University (IHU), Dr Recep Şentürk, discussed what he called ‘the spirit of Islamic Sharia’ which respects man in every place and in all areas, and has been a successful model in Islamic civilizations throughout history.
