Fourth AMSS Regional Conference

Abstract

Following three successful regional conferences since 2001, the Dallas chapter of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS) hosted a gathering of domestic and foreign scholars called for the purpose of analyzing the Islamic intellectual tradition and its interaction with the West. This one-day conference was held, in cooperation with the Muslim Students Association, at the University of Texas, Dallas, on June 4, 2005. Imam Yousuf Kavakci (president, AMSS southwestern regional chapter) opened it with a Qur’anic recitation, after which Basheer Ahmed (conference chair), Asad Rahman (MSA President), and Rafik Beekun (AMSSNational President) welcomed participants. Ali Mazrui (Albert Schweitzer Professor of Humanities and Executive Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University) formally opened the conference. All of these speakers stressed the need for closer interaction among scholars of various faiths and cultural backgrounds. About 300 attendees, presenters, and session chairs belonging to the three Abrahamic faiths were present. The main thrust of all presentations was cross-cultural learning as regards Islamic learning from the past; the Islamic intellectual contribution to Europe’s Renaissance and Reformation; and the decline and ways to restore the Islamic intellectual tradition. The first panel started with Dilnawaz Siddiqui (Clarion University of Pennsylvania, retired), who referred to the Qur’anic command to learn from two readings: the universe in light of the Qur’an, and the Qur’an in view of one’s observation of the universe. Stressing the unity of all humanity, Islam promotes common and equal access to learning regardless of gender, race, caste, or any other secondary consideration. Ilai Alon (Tel Aviv University, currently at the University of Chicago) showed how Muslims acquired classical Greek learning, restored it to its rightful place in their own ummah-wide academy, and finally introduced it to Europe. He particularly dealt with the Muslims’ acceptance of various aspects of Socrates’ philosophy and its critique by Muslim scholars in light of Qur’anic values ...