The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has concluded the fourth cultural season of its “Ummah Symposium,” an event focused on exploring the theme of Knowledge of Revelation. The symposium was held at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque and attended by HE Ghanem bin Shaheen bin Ghanem al-Ghanem, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, along with researchers, academics, and specialists.
The event focused on understanding divine revelation and its significance in maintaining cultural continuity and restoring Islamic civilisation. Sheikh Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Thani, director of the Ministry’s Department of Islamic Research and Studies, described the symposium as a key cultural and intellectual initiative aligned with the ministry’s scholarly and preaching mission. He emphasized the ministry’s goal of promoting knowledge grounded in divine revelation while addressing intellectual and cultural challenges affecting individuals, society, and the broader Muslim community.
Organised quarterly by the Department of Islamic Research and Studies, the “Ummah Symposium” gathers prominent scholars to discuss diverse intellectual and cultural issues. Participants aim to examine potential solutions to contemporary social challenges and combat negative trends affecting the community.
During the symposium, legal researcher Hassan Abdulrazzaq al-Sayed stressed that revitalizing a civilisation requires more than preserving material accomplishments such as architecture and arts. He argued that the transmission of culture—including values, ethics, knowledge, and worldviews—is essential since these elements form the core identity of a nation.
Dr Hamid Koufi, a professor at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University, addressed the prerequisites for ensuring cultural continuity. He noted that mere affiliation with a particular nation or community does not automatically guarantee the preservation of its civilisation, highlighting the need for deeper engagement with cultural heritage and intellectual foundations.