August 30, 2024 | 15:30
Science
Conferences
International cooperation
Study of Islamicate history at the core of discussions: International 3-day conference summarized
A three-day conference titled "Texts, Interpretations, and Entanglements in the Study of Islamicate History" was held at Yerevan State University. The event aimed to create a platform for discussing the debates and challenges prevalent in Islamic and Arabic Studies in pre-modern and early modern periods.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large_slide/public/2024-08/12_1.jpg?h=02cb7f90&itok=4DXTz7wu)
Organized in collaboration with the Chair of Arabic Studies at the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies and the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtein Center for Arab Culture, the conference brought together experts from various fields of regional studies of the Middle East and North Africa.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large_half_text/public/2024-08/rektor_0.jpg?itok=LaPEJv1N)
YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan emphasized the significance of the conference, stating: "The partnership between the Arab world and Armenia has a long history, further strengthened after many Armenians who survived the Armenian Genocide settled in Arab countries. YSU values the spread and preservation of Arabic culture and language and is committed to enhancing this collaboration. The conference is especially welcome, as such a comprehensive event focused on Arabic Studies has not been held for a long time."
Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the YSU Oriental Studies Faculty, noted that the results of the scientific studies presented at the conference will be integrated into the educational system for teaching various Arabic studies subjects.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large_half_text/public/2024-08/melkonyan.jpg?itok=twofrdWO)
"Nowadays, modern scientific directions are highly popular, with scientists often seeking rapid recognition, while classical directions are increasingly pushed to the background. This conference, however, focuses on classical directions, emphasizing foundational science. Science creates certain "oases", and in challenging times, such oases are crucial and beneficial. Currently, scientists are establishing such an oasis at YSU that is expected to thrive and prosper," pointed out R. Melkonyan.
The primary goal of the conference was to discuss and outline scientific approaches that accurately represent the dynamic societies of the past, moving beyond simplistic portrayals. The speakers addressed key questions such as "What is the history of Islam?" and "How should Islam be studied?" They explored the interconnected stories of Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as among different Muslim communities.
The conference also aimed to re-examine pre-modern relationships, including knowledge exchange, commercial and cultural interactions, and social and urban development in the region. It highlighted the contributions of Armenians and Muslims to regional development, providing deeper insights into the Islamic and Islamic-influenced worlds.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large_half_text/public/2024-08/hayk_kocharyan.jpg?itok=TjfsZryk)
Hayk Kocharyan, Head of the Chair of Arabic Studies at the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, remarked: "Our discussions focused on fundamental and methodological concepts that shed new light on Islamicate history. We aimed to explore dynamic historical processes to better understand the multifaceted nature of relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as within Muslim communities. It was crucial to recognize the polycentric nature of caliphal and imperial histories, including their ethnolinguistic and religious diversity, and to address challenges in studying early Islamic sources and their transmission."
The conference also addressed issues related to religion and ethics, new research methodologies, and the impact of digital humanities.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large_half_text/public/2024-08/sona.jpg?itok=il3JiNOU)
Sona Grigoryan, a YSU graduate, lecturer at the University of Vienna, and Research Coordinator at CEU’s Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies, played a key role in organizing the conference. She bridged YSU with prominent universities and expressed her commitment to using her connections for YSU and Armenia’s benefit.
"Our goal was to enhance the visibility of the scientific environment on the international stage. Considering the relationship between the past and the present, we need to understand the characteristics of Islamic culture well. I differentiate Islamicate from Islamic as follows: the term Islamicate includes Armenia, Iran, Christian countries that somehow related to the Islamic world, mingled with it or took some things from each other," said S. Grigoryan.
The three-day conference titled "Texts, Interpretations, and Entanglements in the Study of Islamicate History" successfully fostered new research connections and scientific collaborations.
As part of the conference, both university students and prominent researchers, scientists, and professors from various universities and research centers across Europe, the USA, Canada, and Russia presented their reports, both online and offline.