Meeting of Eastern and Western scholars

On September 12, 2025, another significant scientific gathering took place at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University within the framework of the AP22686474 project "Anthology of Arabic-language sources of the Kazakh thinkers in foreign archives", organized by the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science.

At the international roundtable titled "Arabic-language sources of Kazakh steppe thinkers in world archives," delegations from Turkey and Malaysia were invited, and an exchange of views occurred regarding the manuscript and archival collections of each country. The main goal of the roundtable was to introduce the rich heritage of thinkers who lived in the Kazakh steppe into global scientific circulation and to examine historical and cultural values from a new perspective.

The roundtable was moderated by senior lecturer Yernar Mazhen. Nevzat Kaya, PhD and former director of the Süleymaniye Library of Written Works from Turkey, gave the opening remarks, highlighting the manuscripts of Central Asian scholars that hold an important place in world civilization and sharing his years of experience.

Associate Professor of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, PhD Azamat Zhamashev presented the results of the project "Anthology of Arabic-language sources of the Kazakh thinkers in foreign archives". According to him, this anthology will make a significant contribution to collecting and systematizing the heritage of Kazakh thinkers in the future. Mustafa Celil Altuntash, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Istanbul University, Associate Professor, PhD, analyzed some examples of research conducted on Islamic sciences in the Kazakh land and presented new data that determines the place of Turkic-Islamic civilization in science.

Rashid Mukhitdinov, Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor, discussed rare Arabic textbooks preserved in the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It was noted that these works hold a special place in the history of enlightenment in Kazakh society. Another scholar from Turkey – Osman Ezici, a representative of the Presidential State Archives Administration, introduced the Ottoman archive's place in historiography and emphasized the importance of records related to the Kazakh steppe.

Members of the Malaysian delegation who attended the international research conference 10-11.09.2025 "Islamic Studies in Kazakhstan and Malaysia: Common Cases and Current Issues" actively participated in the discussion. Shuaibu Umar Gokaru, PhD Lecturer at the Department of Islamic History, Civilization and Education at Malaya University, expressed interest in the mentioned works and provided a brief overview of his experience.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Ainura Kurmanaliyeva, Head of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies at Al-Farabi University, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, delivered a closing speech, emphasizing the importance of the roundtable for the scientific community. Additionally, certificates were presented to speakers and interpreters.

Thus, the international roundtable at Al-Farabi University not only highlighted the potential of Kazakh science but also initiated extensive work aimed at introducing the rich heritage of Turkic-Islamic civilization. The scientific dialogue that connects the past and present paves the way for great future endeavors.

Associate Professor, PhD Zhamashev A.Sh.,

Senior lecturer Mazhen Y.K.,

Doctoral student Yeleussyzbayeva N.M.