Neslişah Sultan Cultural Centre Hosted the International Quran Research Congress

Organised by Faculty of Theology of Istanbul University, the International Quran Research Congress brought together researchers from different disciplines for three days at Neslişah Sultan Cultural Centre of the Fatih Municipality.

Supported by the Fatih Municipality, the Quran Research Congress, organised by Istanbul University's Faculty of Theology, was held at the Neslişah Sultan Cultural Centre from September 26 to 28. The programme, the first of its kind in Türkiye in the field of theology, was held over three days with high attendance. In addition to Istanbul University, academics from Ankara, Sakarya, Kütahya and various other provinces, as well as researchers from 36 institutions, participated in the conference.

Prof. Necmettin Gökkır, Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee and Head of the Department of Quranic Exegesis at Istanbul University Faculty of Theology, emphasised that the conference represented a first in the field of theology. Mr. Gökkır stated, ‘Until now, symposiums have been limited to a single topic, and opportunities for young academics to meet with big names have been limited. With this congress, we aimed to bring together different disciplines and different generations to establish lasting academic ties.’

The conference included not only academic sessions but also panels, presentations, music performances, exhibitions, and film discussions. This allowed the cultural and aesthetic dimensions of Quranic studies to be reflected, alongside their academic aspects. Mentoring sessions, added at the request of young academics in particular, brought together professors and young scholars, laying the foundations for new collaborations.

One of the most notable sessions of the conference was held under the title ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Qur'an.’ Experts in computer engineering, information technology, and theology came together for this session, which was addressed at a conference of this scale for the first time. It was assessed that artificial intelligence could contribute to Quranic studies through methods such as text classification, content analysis, concept mapping, and big data processing. Prof. Gökkır stated, ‘Bringing Quranic researchers and computer scientists together around the same table will enable us to build the methods of the future correctly.’

The main theme of the conference was defined as ‘bringing together different generations and disciplines in Quranic studies.’ Within this framework, 12 working groups were formed, and sessions were held on a wide range of topics, from exegesis to historical studies, literature and culture to hermeneutics. Each session re-evaluated past research, addressed current debates, and opened up horizons for future research.

The conference's target audience was not limited to academics. Master's and doctoral students, independent researchers, and young people interested in theology also participated in the programme. Thus, the conference went beyond being a university activity and became a platform for social and cultural gathering.

Speakers at the closing session emphasised that the Quranic Studies Conference filled an important gap in Türkiye. According to the participants, the programme not only brought current debates to the agenda but also laid the groundwork for establishing lasting academic networks.

The intensive three-day programme was described as an interdisciplinary ‘feast of knowledge’ for both local and foreign researchers. Participants expressed their expectation that the discussions at the congress would lead to new academic projects, joint publications and international collaborations in the future.

The conference was considered a turning point in terms of both demonstrating the current state of theology research in Türkiye and presenting a vision for the future.