As part of the implementation of measures to provide methodological assistance to spiritual educational organizations in the Russian Federation, a webinar on the topic “Scientific commentary on the Quran: a critical view” was held at Bolgar Islamic Academy. The lecturer was Sheikh Anwar Ahmad, a lecturer in the Department of Religious and Humanitarian Disciplines at the Academy, Doctor of Islamic Sciences.
Welcoming the participants of the event, the Vice-Rector for Educational Activities, Rustem Gilmutdinov, emphasized that the webinar continues the cycle of scientific and methodological events held by the Academy since 2021, and is of great interest to the spiritual educational organizations of Russia.
Around 30 representatives of Islamic educational institutions from 6 regions of the Russian Federation participated in the event online, including employees of the Russian Islamic Institute, the Islamic Institute of Sunzha, the Russian Islamic University of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, the Karachay-Cherkess Islamic Institute named after Imam Abu Hanifa, the Russian Islamic University named after Kunta-Haji, the Rasuliya Madrasah, the Maryam Sultanova Islamic College, and the Nurul Islam Madrasah.
During his speech, Dr. Anwar Ahmad explained to the audience that the scientific commentary on the Quran is the interpretation of the Holy Quran in the light of modern science.
“Islamic scholars have differed in their opinions regarding this type of interpretation. One group rejected it, another developed it, and a third took a position between rejection and development. Among the advantages of interpreting the Quran from a scientific point of view, several aspects can be highlighted. Firstly, it expands knowledge about Allah. Secondly, it indicates that the Holy Quran is the Book of Allah, and not the words of people. Additionally, the scientific interpretation encourages interest in modern science, including contemporary technologies,” the speaker explained.
The webinar that took place contributed to the deepening of knowledge in the field of Quranic studies and Tafsir, the improvement of professional competencies of employees of educational organizations, the enhancement of the quality of teaching Islamic disciplines, as well as the development of skills in perceiving speech in Arabic in professional activities. At the end of the event, the employees of educational organizations expressed their gratitude to the lecturer and the staff of the Academy for organizing such scientific and educational events.