Panel Sessions Held at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University within the Framework of the International Conference

On September 10, 2025, panel sessions were held in three sections at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University as part of the international research conference “Islamic Studies in Kazakhstan and Malaysia: Common Cases and Current Issues.” Scholars from Kazakhstan and Malaysia presented papers on the role of religion in modern society, the cultural heritage of Islamic civilization, youth values, new models of religious education, and the challenges of the digital age.

The first section focused on issues of mental health and Islamic psychotherapy, the prospects of Islamic banking in Kazakhstan, as well as global theolinguistic research. Particular attention was drawn to the presentation on the Qur’an memorization program MRSM Ulul Albab, implemented in Malaysia.

The second section was dedicated to Islamic education and the contemporary challenges of pedagogy. Professor Aizan Ali Mat Zin (University of Malaya) presented an analysis of the historical development of the Pondok Institute in Malaysia. Participants also discussed the problem of Islamophobia, the specifics of training teachers of Islamic studies, and compared the curricula of madrasahs in Kazakhstan and Malaysia.

The final third section focused on religion in the digital age. Researchers presented papers on the interaction between artificial intelligence and Qur’anic applications, the architectural heritage of mosques, the harmonization of the Hijri calendar, electronic educational platforms, as well as humanitarian and social challenges. Special attention was given to presentations on gender equality and the cultural significance of the Great Mosque of Xi’an.

At the conclusion of the sessions, moderators summarized the outcomes, and certificates were awarded to young scholars and conference participants. The day ended with a group photo.

On the first day of the conference, participants exchanged views, identified directions for future research, and highlighted new opportunities for international cooperation. The conference will continue until September 12.