Doha: Director of the Muhammad Bin Hamad Al-Thani Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Dr. Aisha Yusuf Al Mannai, emphasized the significance of Ramadan in deepening the understanding of Islamic civilization and its historical contributions. Through Ramadan lectures and seminars, the cultural and scientific heritage of Muslims is explored, offering insights into their impact on global development.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Mannai, a professor at the College of Islamic Studies, mentioned that the spiritual ambiance of Ramadan serves as an ideal backdrop to enhance awareness of Islamic heritage. This period allows for a comprehensive depiction of Islamic civilization, which has significantly contributed to humanity's progress with its scientific and intellectual achievements.
Al Mannai explained that the establishment of the Center was driven by a need to correct misconceptions about Islam and highlight Muslims' unique contributions across various fields. The Center was originally founded in 1983 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, then Minister of Education, to translate key Islamic texts into English and promote intercultural intellectual communication.
Transferred to the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU in 2010, the Center plays a crucial role in preserving and sharing Islamic heritage globally. This is achieved by translating Islamic works into multiple languages, organizing scientific events, and supporting research on Islamic civilizational contributions, fostering communication between researchers and academic institutions worldwide.
Al Mannai underscored the importance of translation in spreading Islamic cultural knowledge, identifying it as a vital tool for introducing global audiences to Muslim contributions in various sciences. The Center focuses on translating books into major languages like English, French, German, Turkish, and Chinese, thereby broadening the reach of Islamic knowledge and promoting cultural dialogue.
Future plans for the Center include expanding the translated book series to encompass scientific works in fields such as medicine, astronomy, pharmacy, and engineering, alongside the humanities and intellectual sciences. A specialized global scientific committee developed this list, and the Center is working to implement it within budgetary constraints.
The Center also emphasizes verifying rare Islamic manuscripts, publishing summaries of essential works, and organizing events to facilitate knowledge exchange about Muslim contributions to global civilization. Al Mannai noted that the Center's mission includes correcting stereotypes about Islam by highlighting its positive civilizational aspects and promoting an objective portrayal of its scientific and humanitarian contributions.
She further stated that the Center aims to instill confidence in Muslim youth about their faith and cultural heritage and to present Islam as a comprehensive religion encompassing both material and spiritual life. By presenting reliable scientific works and facilitating manuscript verification, the Center works towards changing the stereotypical image of Islam and enhancing mutual understanding between cultures.
Al Mannai highlighted the inseparability of Islamic civilization from the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, which forms the foundation of various fields. The Center organizes an annual conference to study the Prophet's biography, with this year's focus on his perspectives on war and peace.
In conclusion, Al Mannai commended Qatar's support for efforts to revive Islamic heritage and promote civilizational dialogue, noting that the Center is part of an integrated system to present a positive image of Islamic civilization. The Center aspires to become a global platform for research on Muslim contributions to human civilization, enhancing Qatar's global scientific and cultural standing.