The international academic conference “Maturidism: A Doctrine of Tolerance, Moderation, and Knowledge” was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, serving as a platform for discussing the principles of moderate Islamic thought and the role of Maturidism in promoting tolerance and balance in contemporary religious discourse.

The event brought together prominent scholars and researchers, including the Grand Mufti of Uzbekistan Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazarov, former Grand Mufti of Egypt Dr. Ali Gomaa, current Mufti of Egypt Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Egyptian Minister of Endowments Dr. Osama al-Azhari, renowned scholar Dr. Saeed Foudah, Dr. Faisal al-Hafyan, Deputy Rector of Darul Uloom University in Karachi Sheikh Zubair ibn Muhammad Rafi‘ al-Usmani, Professor Hamza al-Bakri of Istanbul University, and Professor Dr. Ali al-Omari of Fatih University in Istanbul.

The Bolgar Islamic Academy was represented by its professor, Sheikh Saif al-Asri. He emphasized that the visit to Uzbekistan was a valuable opportunity to meet scholars and researchers from across the Islamic world and to explore the historic Islamic landmarks of Samarkand — a city of great cultural and religious significance.

During the conference, Sheikh al-Asri delivered a presentation titled “Knowledge and Moderation in the Maturidi School: Siraj al-Din al-Ushi as an Example.” His lecture explored in detail the concepts of moderation and scholarship within the Maturidi tradition, with a particular focus on the works of the esteemed scholar Siraj al-Din al-Ushi and his well-known poem Badʾ al-Amālī, which Sheikh al-Asri has analyzed in his own commentary titled Bulūgh al-Maʿālī Sharḥ Badʾ al-Amālī.

“Imam al-Ushi warned against extremism, terrorism, and the baseless accusation of others as disbelievers or sinners. I firmly believe that the Maturidi school — with its balanced theological framework, intellectual depth, and wise approach to matters of creed — serves as a beacon of knowledge and moderation in shaping Muslim identity on a solid foundation of faith and reason,” Sheikh al-Asri stated.

During his stay in Uzbekistan, Sheikh al-Asri also visited several significant Islamic landmarks, including the mausoleum of the noble companion Qutham ibn al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib; the mausoleum of the eminent hadith scholar Imam Muhammad ibn Isma‘il al-Bukhari; the Imam al-Bukhari Center and Institute; and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built by Emir Tamerlane in honor of his wife.

Sheikh al-Asri noted that visiting these sacred sites deepened his understanding of Islamic history and culture and further strengthened his appreciation for the region’s enduring contributions to the development of Islamic thought.