Renewing Religious Discourse Conference
Renewing Religious Discourse

A conference under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and presided over by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, organized by Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities with the participation of distinguished scholars and professors. The conference addresses several themes related to renewing religious discourse, promoting principles of moderation, and strengthening the values of human fraternity that the UAE adopts as both approach and practice.

📅 November 9–10 | 🕐 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Vision

Any serious step towards a discourse of renewal and its practice will positively reflect on human relations and human security. The impact will be positive on our societies and on the entire world, as the conference will provide a pathway to another vision of the world, an entry to the realm of human fraternity, and a basis for a desired civilizational harmony.

Objective

The "Renewing Religious Discourse" conference organized by Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities aims to answer key questions that enable a scientific definition of the concept, distancing it from laxity and oversimplification. It will seek actual answers to questions including: What is religious discourse? What is renewal within it? Why renewal? What civilizational context necessitated it? What are its methodological foundations and scientific approaches? Its fields and dimensions? What has changed in reality? And what must change in the discourse?

Live Broadcast

Day One

Opening Session

  • National Anthem of the UAE
  • Recitation from the Holy Quran
  • Address by H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah — President of the Supreme Scientific Council
  • Address by H.E. Dr. Hamdan bin Muslim Al Mazrouei — Chairman of the Board of Trustees
  • Address by H.E. Prof. Mohammed Mokhtar Gomaa — Minister of Awqaf, Egypt
  • Address by H.E. Dr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri — Minister of Religious Affairs, Pakistan
  • Address by H.E. Sheikh Rashid Al Hajeri — Head of Sunni Endowments, Bahrain
  • Address by Sheikh Kamil Samigullin — Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan

"Discourse" Between Concept and Terminology in Ancient and Contemporary Thought (2:00 PM)

Session Chair: Prof. Ridwan Al-Sayyid

  • Dr. Yasser Qansouh
  • Dr. Hayam Al-Maamari
  • Prof. Mohammed Adnani

What Is Religious Discourse Today, and What Are the Fields and Dimensions of Its Renewal? (3:00 PM)

Session Chair: H.E. Abdussamad Al-Yazidi

  • H.E. Prof. Mohammed Othman Al-Khisht
  • H.E. Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Darei
  • Dr. Ahmed Al-Madani Al-Kilmi

Religious Renewal and Conceptual Challenges (3:30 PM)

Session Chair: Dr. Noura Al-Balushi

  • Dr. Ibrahim Bourchachen
  • Dr. Mohammed Al-Sheikh
  • H.E. Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al-Dhaheri

Day Two

The Discourse of Context as a Basis for Renewal (11:00 AM)

Session Chair: Dr. Fatima Al-Dahmani

  • Dr. Youssef Hamitou
  • Prof. Bensalem Al-Sahel

Relationships Between Renewal and Regulation in Religious Discourse (12:00 PM)

Session Chair: H.E. Dr. Mohammed Noah Al-Qudah

  • Dr. Souad Al-Hakim
  • Prof. Idriss Al-Fahri

Reality and Civilizational Context and the Necessity of Renewing Religious Discourse (1:30 PM)

Session Chair: Prof. Mohammed Abdel-Jalil

  • Prof. Aref Al-Nayed
  • Prof. Eric Geoffroy
  • H.E. Prof. Mohammed Khalil
  • Dr. Mohammed Mahjoub

Documents and Declarations and Their Impact on Renewing Religious Discourse (3:00 PM)

Session Chair: Dr. Samira Al-Nuaimi

  • Prof. Ridwan Al-Sayyid
  • Dr. Mustafa Ceric
  • Prof. Al-Sayyid Ould Abah
  • Dr. Maria Al-Hattali
Conference Agenda
Conference Guide
Final Statement

For more information, please contact

02-4999000

mahmoud.sabri@mbzuh.ac.ae