Islamic translation announcement event
Syria, Culture, 5/11/2001

The university of Damascus and the US Brigham Young University on May 10th at Damascus university Auditorium inaugurated a one day seminar under the title " Islamic Translation Announcement Event." It was attended by Syrian professor Muwaffaq Daaboul, vice rector for Academic affairs and chairman of the seminar's organizing committee, professor Daniel Peterson of Brigham Young university and President of the Brigham Young University Professor Merrill. J. Bateman.

In his presentation of about Brigham Young university, professor Bateman said that Brigham Young university is the largest private university in the US with 30,000 students, noting that it brings peoples from all over the world. He explained:" Our students come from 110 countries and speak 85 languages. We teach 65 languages, and therefore we are an international community." Professor Bateman said that 22 students of Brigham university study Arabic in Syria, noting that the purpose of the university to learn how to live in peace, with a major project to understand Islam better. He said by the translation of " Great Islamic classics" we intend to build a bridge of understanding between " your selves and our selves." We also intend to build on the long run a relationship with Damascus university and the Islamic people in order to know each other and to live in peace.Highlighting co-operation between Damascus University and Brigham university. Dr. Daaboul said that Damascus University received two permanent scholarships for PH.D study in the field of Information Technology at Brigham Young University. It also received a number of agronomists for long terms visits, in addition to many other forms of scientific cooperation. He added that the two universities have signed an Agreement of Cooperation for scientific and later production purposes.

He continued that the idea of cooperation between the two universities developed into today's seminar when he was presented with copies of English translations of some Arabic books such as " Tahafot al- Falasifah " and Mishkat al- Anwar" by al-Ghazali, when he explained to those in charge of this translation project that there would be a chance of cooperation between the two universities.

In his presentation Dr. Daaboul touched upon three main issues: He indicated the importance of human understanding between individuals as based on mutual respect and free of fanaticism and bigotry " We have honored the race of Adam ( the Koran). He continued that the Information Technology revolution and modern communication systems have dictated a new unprecedented pattern of relationships between people in this world.

The second point Dr. Daaboul raised is that dialogue between civilizations and between religions. He cited the German theologian Hanz Kondj as saying:" There would not be peace between nations unless there was peace between religions and there would not be peace between religions unless there was a dialogue between religions." He elaborated:" our Arabic culture would not have attained its peak had it not been for the preceding cultures in China, India and Greece. The effect of the Arabic culture in western civilizations can not be denied. Therefore, it is only natural that one of the aims of the dialogue we call for is to attain righteousness, justice and equality." Dr. Daaboul third point raised from a cultural point of view and aside from politics and politician, he indicated the depth of offence suffered by the Palestinians who have been forced to leave their home country waiting to return one day. He expressed hope that the constructive dialogue and communication with others- assisted by what science has achieved in the technical fields- can restore justice and ensure the supremacy of justice and righteousness. The Koran says:" O, mankind! We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another." He remarked that meeting with colleagues at Brigham University:" I have felt their respect for human beings and for human values, their love of objective dialogue and their willingness to cooperate with other." He cited the experience of a female student from Brigham university about Syria when she wrote:" before I came to Syria I had not known much about it. If I had an impression at all about the country it was vague. I used to hear negative things about Syria's policy from the news and from my friends. Although I did not believe my friends I came to Syria cautious and on my guard. I thought that the Syrians would not assist or like me because of my nationality. Now I know more about Syria and its importance is growing in my eyes- I believe that Syria is an important country for the West even if the people in the West do not realize this importance."

Several key presentations were read by prominent Syrian and American professors: professor Abdul Karim al-Yafi from the University of Damascus on the " Value of man in Islamic civilizations;" professor Adil al-Awwa of the Damascus university on the " comprehensive friendship is the solution;" Professor Abdul Nabi Isstaif, university of Damascus " Partnership in the realm of knowledge between East and West;" Professor Daniel Peterson of Brigham Young university on " Toward a dialogue between civilizations;" Professor Perviz Morewedge of Brigham university on " Islamic philosophy as a way of reading the philosophy of the West," and professor Muhammads Eissa of Brigham Young university on "al-Ghazali in translation."

Previous Stories:
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  Syria and human civilizations   (5/7/2001)
  Zenobia: Queen of valor and chastity   (5/3/2001)
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