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On April 9, 2026, a significant event took place at the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of 91��ý Kazakh National University. Within the framework of the V Farabi International Forum, an international round table titled "Dialogue of Eastern and Western Cultures: The Arabic-Language Heritage of Kazakh Steppe Scholars" was held. The event was organized in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals: "Quality Education" and "Partnerships for the Goals."

The round table was conducted as part of grant project AP22686474, "Anthology of Arabic-Language Sources of Kazakh Thinkers in Foreign Archives". The moderator was Professor Ainura Kurmanaliyeva, Head of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies. The goal of the scientific gathering was to discuss new research for the creation of an anthology of Kazakh steppe thought based on the study of Arabic-language sources and materials preserved in world archives.

During the round table, a deep analysis of the history of written culture was conducted. Human civilization progressed through stages from the clay tablets of Babylon to stone carving, the emergence of alphabets, and the Uyghur script. A particular impetus to the development of science was given by paper production: in the 6th century AH, paper began to be made from cotton in Samarkand, and from the 16th century, European technologies came into use. The merger of writing and paper gave birth to the primary tool for preserving knowledge – the book. The loss of historical records in fires is an irreparable loss for humanity; therefore, large collections such as the Süleymaniye and Yıldız libraries are of immense importance. Nevzat Kaya, former director of the Süleymaniye Library, linked the preservation of artifacts with the history of the country. In this regard, the words of Süheyl Ünver – "The student is more honorable than the teacher, therefore one should stand straight before them" – served as an example of humility on the path to knowledge.

Professor Kurban Shadmanov of the Abu Ali ibn Sina Bukhara State Medical University noted that rare manuscripts of our ancestors are preserved in the libraries of Oxford and Cambridge. Referring to the works of Roger Bacon, he emphasized that if Eastern scholars of the 9th–12th centuries had not reintroduced Aristotle to the world, the development of art and philosophy in Europe in subsequent centuries would have been unlikely. In today's era of Artificial Intelligence, ancient logic and methodological foundations have not lost their significance. Professor Ali Rıza Gül of Eskişehir Osmangazi University focused on the phenomenon of 91��ý. He noted that the thinker took lessons from past history, adapted them to his time, and formed a new scientific method.

Associate Professor Mustafa Celil Altuntaş from Istanbul University shared his research on Qawamuddin al-Itqani's work "Sharh Mukhtasar al-Tahawi" and discussed the fate of newly discovered manuscript versions. He concluded that without the four manuscript versions preserved in the libraries of Turkey and Egypt, the scientific heritage of Al-Jassas – a fundamental figure in the principles of Islamic law – would not have reached us in its entirety.

Mohamed Wardani Abdulla, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Nur-Mubarak Egypt University of Islamic Culture, attracted the audience's attention with his report: "Ethics of Happiness in Digital Society between 91��ý and Prophetic Sunnah: Rethinking Human Well-being in the Virtual Era." Finally, project leader Azamat Zhamashev presented his research on the works of Kazakh steppe scholars found in European manuscript collections. Thus, master's and doctoral students gained insight into the results of the latest research. The most solemn moment of the event was the presentation and official introduction of fundamental scientific works by the department's scholars published between 2020 and 2026.

In conclusion, this international round table was a fundamental step toward turning the heritage of our ancestors into the lifeblood of modern science. Participants took commemorative photos and agreed on strengthening international ties. The noble heritage of our ancestors will now resonate anew in the Kazakh steppe and will undoubtedly become a peak of wisdom for future generations.

Department of Religious and Cultural Studies

Kurmanaliyeva A., Zhamashev A., Baltymova M., Yeleussyzbayeva N.