Conference on Islamic Thought in Anatulia in the 12^th

- 13th Century    in Kaysari and visit to Qunya and Istanbul.

Anatulia (now forming the central region of the Turkish Republic) was an area famous for its centres of learning and outstanding literary and religious figures in the Seljuk period. Foremost among the illustrious scholars and literary giants of that age — to mention just a few — are Jalal ud Din Rumi, Sadr al-Din Qunyawi, Dawood Qaysari. It was with a view to pay its tribute to this remarkably rich intellectual heritage of Islamic philosophic and literary tradition that the local government of Kaysari (a historic place in Anatulia) organized a 3 day Symposium on Islamic Thought in Anatulia, with special focus on Dawood al-Qaysari, the most illustrious son of Kaysari.

The Mayor of Kaysari invited the Director Iqbal Academy to participate in the symposium and give a paper on the influence of Dawood al-Qiaysari. with special reference to his commentaries on Ibn Arabi's Fusus al-Hikam. The symposium was very well attended. Delegates from various contries of the world as well as the Turkish scholars presented their papers and exchaned views in an atmosphere imbued with receptivity, understanding and geniun academic interest.

After the symposium, the Director Iqbal Academy travelled to pay his homage to the great sufi poet Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi. The invitation from the Mayor of Qunya, therefore, was gratefully accepted which resulted in a remarkable two days stay in Qunya and the visit to the shrines of Rumi, Shams Tabriz and Sadr al-Din Qunyawi,

Bilim ve Sanat Vakfi (Science and Arts Foundation) a leading foundation for higher studies in Istanbul, had asked to devote a full day for them in order to give a talk on “Significance of Iqbal's poetry” and to lead a group discussion with the Executive Members of the Foundation. Flying back from Qunya, Director Iqbal Academy managed to spare two days in Istanbul, giving the talk and exploring the possibility of mutual cooperation and shared publications, especially Iqbaliyat (Turkish). The Turkish language issue of Iqbaliyat was not published, after its first appearance in 1993, during the intervening years. Agreement was reached to collaborate in the following three areas of activity.

1).           Assistance in contributing/ translating/ composing

               the Turkish issue of Iqbaliyat.

2).           Introducing Iqbal Studies (short courses) in their

               forthcoming academic programme.

3).           Exchange of books/Journals.

4).           Fascilitation and promotion of study and research

               in Iqbal Studies in Turkish.

(Muhammad Suheyl Umar)