The “Golden Age of Islamic Civilization” Discussed at IZU

The “Golden Age of Islamic Civilization” Discussed at IZU

The "Andalusian Panel," jointly organized by the IZU History Club, the Mişkatla Geçerken Student Community, and the Halil İnalcık Center for Historical and Social Studies, was held at the Nizamülmülk Conference Hall.

The panel was attended by IZU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ağırakça, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cumhur Ersin Adıgüzel, as well as academics and students. The event began with a recitation from the Qur'an, followed by an opening speech from Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar. In his remarks, he drew attention to the challenges currently faced by Muslim societies, using the historical legacy of Al-Andalus as a point of reflection. Prof. Dr. Acar stated:

“The Islamic state that existed in Andalusia for 800 years played a vital role not only in the fields of science and culture but also in shaping Western civilization. However, today, the traces of this cultural heritage have largely disappeared from the Andalusian lands. This tragic ending should serve as a lesson. The current approach of the Western world toward Muslim communities in both Turkey and Europe is not much different from the historical policies toward Andalusia. The genocide in Bosnia and the attempts to reshape Islam in Albania are examples of this. We must view our differences as strengths and unite around shared values. History should be a source of insight, and the painful experiences of the past must not be forgotten. Andalusia is not just a memory of the past; it is a legacy that reminds us of our responsibilities for the future.”

SPEECHES BY AĞIRAKÇA AND ADIGÜZEL

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ağırakça, in his presentation titled “Physicians of Al-Andalus,” discussed the contributions of Andalusian doctors to both the Islamic world and Western medicine. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cumhur Ersin Adıgüzel, in his talk titled “Al-Andalus as a Cradle of Islamic Civilization,” examined the political, cultural, and intellectual structure of Andalusia.