1 week Ago By Qatar Tribune
Qatar tribune QNA Doha The inaugural edition of the International Conference on Orientalism kicked off in Doha on Saturday under the theme ‘Towards a Balanced Civilizational Dialogue’. This conference, bringing together a select group of leading orientalists, intellectuals, and researchers from around the globe, marks a pivotal moment in the field of Oriental studies. It transcends traditional frameworks, envisioning a contemporary approach that fosters profound civilisational dialogue.
Organised by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and QatarDebate Center, in partnership with the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event is held in collaboration with prominent academic institutions, including Qatar University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. It also features partnerships with leading international institutions such as Leiden University (Netherlands), the Institute for Advanced Studies (Sarajevo), and Dagestan State University (Russia). In her opening address, Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater and chair of the conference, articulated the intellectual vision guiding the event, stating: “Today, we gather to create a safe space for profound and candid intellectual discussions without sensitivities.
Through our dialogues, we aspire to achieve the enchanting balance that Tolstoy masterfully depicted in his epic ‘War and Peace’, by striking a thoughtful balance between popular sentiment and specialised literary critique.” She elaborated on the intriguing connection between the conference and the literary masterpiece by Russian author Leo Tolstoy. The conference also featured an address by Guest of Honour Professor Ibrahim Kalin, a distinguished Turkish academic and political figure, followed by an exclusive, high-level dialogue session moderated by renowned journalist Sami Zeidan.
As part of the conference activities, a prominent panel discussion entitled “Towards a Balanced Civilizational Dialogue” was held, featuring Former Minister of Culture of Lebanon Professor Ghassan Salame, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of The Gambia Dr Mamadou Tangara, and Director of the Middle East Centre at the University of Oxford Professor Eugene Rogan. The session was moderated by journalist Jamal Elshayyal and addressed critical questions surrounding the session’s theme, exploring ways to preserve cultural values while avoiding conflict. The discussion offered a valuable opportunity to open essential conversations about balanced civilisational communication and its role in building stronger relationships across sectors.
In his statement, Professor Mahmoud Hamza, chair of the Scientific Committee, said: “This is the first conference of its kind in the Arab world, focusing primarily on ‘New Orientalism,’ a trend that has emerged over the past five decades. It moves beyond the classical Orientalist focus on religion, culture, and history, to include the study of political, economic, and social issues in the East, particularly the Arab world.” Offering a rich programme that combines academic depth with humanistic engagement, the conference includes specialised scholarly sessions, alongside cultural events celebrating the diversity and richness of participant backgrounds.
More than 300 researchers from 50 countries are participating in the conference, including prominent figures such as Dr Jose Puerta (Spain), Dr Paolo Branca (Italy), Dr George Gregory (Romania), Dr Dmitry Mikulsky (Russia), and Dr Said Mailzi (China), in addition to eminent scholars from Qatari universities and institutions. Copy 27/04/2025 10.
