8 December, 2015: Conference on Integration and Islamisation of Knowledge in the field of Usuluddin and Comparative Religion, IIUM.

An International Seminar on Integration of Knowledge in the Field of Usuluddin and Comparative Religion: the Contribution of Irfan Abdul Hameed Fattah was organized by the Department of Usuluddin & Comparative Religion, KIRKHS, IIUM in collaboration with International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). The seminar was attended by friends, researchers and scholars of the late Prof. Irfan Abdul Hameed Fattah where they presented papers on intellectual issues related to the works, contributions and life of the late Professor. The keynote speaker was Prof. Dr. Abdelrahim Ali, former Vice Chancellor, International African University, Sudan who was also the contemporary of Prof. Irfan.

 

Background of the Conference

The 21st century witnesses great challenges posed to religious believers due to pervasive attack of secularism that segregated mans’ spirituality from reality. Admiration for human reasoning and experiences has conferred man an ultimate position in life. Muslims, without exception, are also affected with such attack. As a matter of fact, the strong current of secularism has claimed a number of Muslim minds thus creating divide among them. As early as in the 19th century, there were Muslim thinkers who committed themselves to the modern secular idea. In response to that, there were also Muslims thinkers who resorted to so called ‘traditionalist’ ideas in defense of Islam. A small but remarkable number of them however tried to reconcile between the two positions by acquainting themselves with traditional and modern sciences. Among them was Al-Marhum Professor Irfan Abdul Hameed Fattah. Al-marhum was a well-grounded Muslim scholar in Usul al-Din, Kalam, Islamic philosophy, tasawwuf, and Islamic thought who has also ventured into the study of other religions mainly Judaism and Christianity. Given such a versatile academic background, Al-Marhum has employed a wholistic approach in addressing contemporary issues that were challenging to the Islamic thought. His ideas and thoughts were shared in his publications, researches, lectures and speeches and they continue to inspire his readers, students and disciples. This international seminar seek to gather them and to revive the ideas of al-marhum. Finally, the seminar aims to publish the papers presented in a form of an edited book which will become a tangible outcome of the seminar.

Objectives

1. To honor the intellectual contributions of the late professor in integrating Usuluddin & Comparative Religion

2. To gather students, friends, researchers and scholars of the late professor

3. To publish a book that discusses the ideas and contribution of the late professor in integration and Islamization of knowledge