Role of Islam in Formation of Civilization
Special International Seminar on “Role of Islam in Formation of Civilization”** Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025 Venue: Room 5002, Arts Building, University of Dhaka The Department of World Religions and Culture, University of Dhaka, in collaboration with the Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) and the Institute of Advanced Human Science Research, Dhaka, successfully hosted a Special International Seminar on “Role of Islam in Formation of Civilization.” The event brought together distinguished scholars to explore Islam’s civilizational contributions and its relevance in contemporary global discourse. Professor Dr. A B M Siddiqui Rahman Nizami, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, graced the seminar as Chief Guest. In his remarks, he emphasized Islam’s historical reach, noting its expansion to Cordoba as evidence of its civilizational completeness. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Dr. Sayed Mahdi Alizadeh Mousavi from the University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran. He argued that while the West often fails to recognize Islam as a complete civilization, Islam itself offers a comprehensive framework rooted in the Qur’an, Sunnah, rationality, and consensus. These four sources, he stressed, are essential for countering contemporary challenges and realizing the full potential of Islamic civilization. Professor Dr. Shah Kathar Mustafa Abululayee of the Department of Philosophy, University of Dhaka, participated as an invited discussant. Professor Dr. Kawsar Mustafa highlighted the civilizational upliftment of women in Islam and identified ignorance as a root cause of misunderstanding and conflict. Moderating the seminar, Dr. Shafi Md. Mostofa, Associate Professor at the Department of World Religions and Culture, reflected on Samuel Huntington’s thesis of the “clash of civilizations.” He noted that while the West perceives Islam as a competing civilizational force, many Muslims remain unaware of the operational dynamics of their own tradition. The seminar commenced with a welcome address by Professor Dr. Mohammad Elius, Director of CIID, and was presided over by Professor Dr. Md. Abu Sayem, Chairman of the Department of World Religions and Culture. The event fostered rich dialogue and reaffirmed the importance of Islam’s intellectual, ethical, and cultural legacy in shaping global civilization.