Al-Farabi KazNU Hosts Conference on “Contemporary Psychology in the Islamic Perspective”
On November 28, 2024, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted an international academic conference titled “Contemporary Psychology in the Islamic Perspective.” The event brought together leading experts in psychology, religious studies, and Islamic research from Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, and Malaysia.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Erkin Duissenov, Doctor of Law, Professor, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and Professor Mohd Roslan Bin Mohd Nor, Head of the Department of Islamic History and Civilization at the Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya (Malaysia).
The conference program covered a wide range of topics related to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of psychology and Islamic traditions. Among the keynote speakers, Professor Ainur Kurmanaliyeva, Director of the Center for Religious Studies and Expertise, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University addressed the role of the psychology of religion in the system of religious studies education. Olga Pavlova, Head of the Department of Ethnopsychology and Psychological Problems of Multicultural Education at Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, presented a report focusing on the differentiation of content and methods in Islamic psychology. Additionally, Filyus Yakhin, Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Psychological Assistance Association in Russia, discussed the challenges of defining the subject and methods of Islamic psychology. Doctor Dosay Kenzhetayev Professor of the Department of Religious Studies of the International Kazakh- Turkish University from the International Kazakh-Turkish University participated in the conference with an online presentation on psychotechnics in the teachings of Yasawi. Throughout the discussions, participants examined the impact of religious practices on mental health, the development of psychological assistance methods based on Islamic ethics, and the challenges of integrating traditional approaches into modern research frameworks. The conference underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the relevance of studying psychology within the context of Islamic culture.
As part of this event, on November 29, 2024, an international seminar “Psychology of Religion in the Islamic Paradigm” was held, where issues of interaction between religion and psychology were discussed with an emphasis on cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects. Key topics included the role of religious experience in the context of global changes, adapting psychological assistance to the digital age, and integrating Islamic values into modern psychotherapy. The seminar served as an important platform for knowledge exchange and strengthening international cooperation, receiving high praise from participants.The organizers expressed their gratitude to all participants for their insightful contributions and productive discussions, noting that the outcomes of the event will serve as a foundation for future research.
These events was held within the framework of the project "Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 4: Quality Education."
Department of religious studies and cultural studies
Candidate of philological science, Associate Professor Baltymova M.
Senior lecturer, PhD Utebayeva D.
2nd year Master's students majoring in religious studies
Alibaeva A., Abdullin A., Dzhundybaeva G., Karim R.