September-December 2016, No. 101

OIC RESEARCH CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE

International Symposium on “Konya in Islamic Civilization”

International Conference on “Karabakh: History and Heritage”

Exhibition of “Calligraphy and Illumination by Lady Artists” on the occasion of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Women’s Role in the Development of OIC Member States

Third International Conference on Translation and the Problematics of Cross-Cultural Understanding and the Award Ceremony of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding International Symposium on the occasion of the 5th Centenary of the Arrival of Barbarossa brothers to the shores of Algiers in 1516 Historical photograph exhibition on “Al-Haramein (Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madina al-Munawara) during the Ottoman Period

Calligraphy Exhibition “The Exquisite Art of Calligraphy” at UNESCO headquarters In this issue 3 Newsletter 32nd Session of the IRCICA Governing Board was held at IRCICA premises in Yıldız Palace in Istanbul 28-29 Dhou Al-Hijja 1437 AH (30 September–1 October 2016)

9 Congresses, workshops * IRCICA and Karatay University in Konya jointly organized an International Symposium on “Konya in Islamic Civilization” (17-19 December 2016) in the context of the OIC’s Declaration of Research Centre for Islamic History, Konya as “Islamic World Tourism Capital 2016” Art and Culture (IRCICA) * Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and IRCICA organized an September-December 2016, No. 101 International Conference on “Karabakh: History and Heritage” 10-11 November 2016, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan The Newsletter is published quarterly: * Consultative meeting at IRCICA with the Working Group on the three issues in the official Establishment of Imam Bukhari International Research Centre languages of the OIC (IBIRC) to be established in Samarkand-Uzbekistan (English, French, Arabic) 24-25 November 2016 and one in Turkish * IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren participated in the International Seminar on the “Belt and Road Initiative”, st Publisher Xi’an, China, 26-27 Sept. 2016 with a presentation titled “A 21 Century Silk Road Paradigm: Vision and Realization” Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), * Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States approved IRCICA’s Work Plans on the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Ministers (CFM) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 16-18 October 2016

Editor in Chief * IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren gave two lectures in the International Conference on “Oriental Studies Halit Eren Research in Kazakhstan: Achievements and Prospects”, Almaty- Kazakhstan Editorial Board 12-13 October, 2016 Sadık Ünay * IRCICA organized an exhibition of “Calligraphy and Illumination Fayçal Benaissa by Lady Artists” on the occasion of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Women’s Role in the Development of OIC Member States Istanbul, 2-3 November 2016 Address Yıldız Sarayı, Seyir Köşkü * IRCICA participated in the 32nd Session of the Standing Committee of Economic and Commercial Cooperation Barbaros Bulvarı, (COMCEC) of the OIC in Istanbul, 21-24 November 2016 Beşiktas 34349 İstanbul, Turkey * IRCICA participated in the Third International Conference on Translation and the Problematics of Cross-Cultural Understanding and the Award Ceremony of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding Tel. (+90 212) 259 17 42 Doha-Qatar, 12-13 December 2016 Fax (+90 212) 258 43 65 * International Symposium on the occasion of the 5th Centenary of the Arrival of Barbarossa brothers to the shores of Algiers in www.ircica.org 1516, 9-10 November 2016, Bejaia, Algeria [email protected] 26 Exhibitions * Historical photograph exhibition on “Al-Haramein (Makkah al- Mukarramah and al-Madina al-Munawara) during the Ottoman Period, organized by IRCICA and the Kuwait National Council Graphic Design for Culture, Art and Letters, 20 December 2016 Said Kasımoğlu * IRCICA contributed to the Calligraphy Exhibition titled “The Ex- quisite Art of Calligraphy”, organized by the Permanent Delega- tion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at UNESCO headquarters Printing Paris, 9 December 2016 Ultra Grafik * IRCICA participated in the Putrajaya International Islamic Arts [email protected] and Culture Festival 2016 (PIIACUF) with an Exhibition titled “Al Asma ul-Husna” (Holy Names of Allah SWT), 1-11 December 2016

28 Meetings, Cooperation and Visits

34 IRCICA publications Editorial

e are pleased to introduce the summary of IRCICA activities Wcomprising the period between September and December 2016, through the present issue of the Newsletter, to the attention of scholarly, academic, cultural, artistic and diplomatic circles of the Islamic world. This four-month period, as ever, witnessed a tense activity schedule full of international symposia, congresses, workshops and exhibitions organized by the Centre across the world. As one of the highlights, the 32nd Session Declaration of Konya as “Islamic World of IRCICA Governing Board which was Tourism Capital 2016”. The symposium held at IRCICA premises in Yıldız Palace witnessed presentation of numerous in Istanbul, on 30 September–1 October academic papers outlining the exceptional 2016. The Governing Board meeting status of Konya as a center of governance, reviewed the different activity reports arts and sciences in Islamic history and presented by IRCICA Director General civilization. and made recommendations at this regard. The Foreign Ministers of the OIC Towards implementation of Resolution Member States also approved IRCICA’s No. 9/43-ORG of the 43rd Session of Work Plans on the 43rd Session of the the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CFM at Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 16-18 OIC Member States (Tashkent, 18-19 October 2016. October 2016) adopting the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to establish As to the congresses and symposia in the city of Samarkand the Imam organized during this period, the al-Bukhari International Research Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Centre, an expert meeting was held at National Academy of Sciences of the IRCICA on 24-25 November 2016 with a Republic of Azerbaijan and IRCICA visiting delegation comprised of heads organized an International Conference of department and senior officials from on “Karabakh: History and Heritage” on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and 10-11 November 2016 in Baku, Republic Justice and the Academy of Sciences of of Azerbaijan. Presentations focused Uzbekistan. IRCICA formulated views and on the preservation of the cultural and information based on its experiences, in architectural heritage of the Karabagh assistance towards establishment of the region of Azerbaijan through scholarly said centre. The meeting also provided and practical efforts. On December exchanges of views regarding cooperation 2016, IRCICA and Karatay University in between IRCICA and Imam al-Bukhari Konya jointly organized an international International Research Centre that symposium titled “Konya in Islamic can be implemented after the latter’s Civilization” on the occasion of the OIC’s establishment. Various scholarly meetings, namely of Trustees of the competition. IRCICA the International Seminar on “the Belt also participated in the International and Road Initiative in Xi’an” and the Symposium organized by the Algerian International Conference on “Oriental National Archives and the Ottoman Studies Research in Kazakhstan: Archives and with the contribution of Achievements and Prospects”, held the National Centre of Anthropological respectively in China and Kazakhstan, led Studies and Abdrrahmane Mira us to take part in theses conferences and University (Béjaïa). The symposium was present papers and give lectures given held in Béjaïa city, Algeria, on November the extreme importance of the themes 2016, on the occasion of the 5th and their relation with IRCICA areas of Centenary of the Arrival of Barbarossa activity. brothers to the shores of Algiers in 1516.

Furthermore, IRCICA participated in In the chapter of exhibitions, IRCICA the Third International Conference on organized and co-organized many Translation and the Problematics of exhibitions on “calligraphy and Cross-Cultural Understanding and the illumination” and on “historical Award Ceremony of the Sheikh Hamad photographs on Mecca and Medina Award for Translation and International during the Ottoman Era”, in Istanbul, Understanding in Doha, Qatar on Kuwait, Paris and Putrajaya. December 2016. IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren was invited as a Meanwhile, IRCICA continued to host “Guest of Honour” and made a speech guests including Ministers, diplomats, in the award ceremony in which he academics and scholars from around the stressed the importance of translating world at its headquarters in Yıldız Palace fundamental sources of cultural and discussing with them about subjects civilizational heritage to promote mutual related to the areas of interest of the understanding. Prof. Fazıl Bayat, Senior Centre. Researcher from IRCICA, who had received in 2015 an award for the best Thank you for your interest. translation with his work titled “al-Bilad al-Arabiyya fi al-wathaiq al-Othmaniyya” (The Arab Provinces in the Ottoman Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren Documents), also participated in the Director General, IRCICA ceremony and served within the Board The 32nd Session of IRCICA Governing Board was held at IRCICA premises in Yıldız Palace in Istanbul 30 September–1 October 2016

he Governing Board of the Research Centre for • Prof. Mehmet İpşirli, Republic of Turkey. Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), T • Prof. Amadou Cissé Ndiéguène, Republic of subsidiary organ of the Organisation of Islamic Senegal. Cooperation (OIC), held its 32nd session at the Centre’s headquarters at Yıldız Palace in Istanbul, • Mr. Khalaif M. Alezainah, Undersecretary for on 30 Sept. – 1 Oct. 2016. The session was opened Technical Coordination, External Relations and on Friday 30 September 2016 with a preparatory Hajj, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, meeting. On the 1st of October, the regular State of Kuwait. meeting took place. • Sheikh Boureima Abdou Daouda, Special Advisor The following members attended the Governing for Religious Affairs, Cabinet of Prime Minister, Board session: Republic of Niger. • H.E. Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani, OIC Secretary • Mr. Alamine Moukhtar Adoum, Deputy Director General. General for Culture, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports, Republic of Chad. • Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Turki al-Subai, State of Qatar (Chairman of the Board). • Mrs. Saraya Arbi, Undersecretary of Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia • Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, Director General, IRCICA. • Mr. Mashhood Ahmad Mirza, Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage. • Dr. Saad Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rashid, Kingdom of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Turki al-Subai, State of Qatar (Chairman of the Board), H.E. Dr. Iyad Ameen Madani, OIC Secretary General and Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, Director General, IRCICA

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 3 The following members of added that the Centre would authentic principles and values IRCICA participated in the continue to exert great efforts and from foreign influences; governing board session: Dr. in the field of civilizational research, publication and Nazeeh Marouf, Mrs. Zeynep dialogue, to reflect the true documentation; Islamic history; Durukal, Prof. Amir Pasic, Prof. image of Islam, Muslims and history of Islamic civilization, Sadık Ünay, Prof. Cengiz Tomar Islamic civilization and to arts and sciences. The Chairman and Mr. Abdullah Topaloğlu. cooperate with international also praised the efforts of the institutions in this regard. Centre in the protection and Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, restoration of the Islamic Director General of IRCICA, H.E. Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin heritage in particular through welcomed H.E. Dr. Iyad Ameen Abdullah Bin Turki al-Subai, its comprehensive project Madani, Secretary General of Chairman of the Governing related to the restoration of the the OIC, expressing gratitude Board of the Centre, delivered monuments of the Holy City of for his participation in the an opening speech in which Al-Quds; in this regard, he listed Governing Board session he stressed the important role some projects carried out by the which was an indication of played by the Centre in its Centre and evoked the generous his continuous support and various areas of specialization grant extended by His Highness encouragement extended to in covering large geographic the Ameer (the Father) Sheikh the Centre. He stressed the areas of the Muslim world, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani to importance of holding this studying scientific, cultural and support the Centre’s projects in session in the current situation artistic subjects and organizing this important area. He stressed facing the Muslim world that international events (congresses, that this meeting was held in the needs encouragement of efforts festivals, competitions and light of new developments and and activities of the Centre, exhibitions) that dealt with major events that the Islamic which will highlight the various the various aspects of the ummah experiences, laden with areas of specialization of the Islamic civilizational heritage. challenges causing dislocation, Centre that serve the noble He referred to the efforts of division and loss of Islamic mission of Islam and the the Centre in the fields of identity. He said that terrorist treasures of Islamic civilization preservation and development acts caused Islamophobia in the achieved through the ages. He of calligraphy by protecting its West and reactions of animosity

4 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 against Muslims, and that the participating for the first time their proposals concerning presence of a misunderstanding in IRCICA’s Governing Board future projects and activities of of the value of Islamic meeting, which reflects the the Centre formulated in a spirit civilization was noticeable. He great interest attached by the that allows the Centre to meet the emphasized the active role of OIC Secretariat General to challenges it might encounter IRCICA in presenting the Islamic the Centre’s works. He also in the future. The Secretary civilization and the history of expressed his thanks and General expressed pride about Islam and its heritage, which gratitude to the host country of IRCICA and paid tribute on this makes it a great civilizational IRCICA, the Republic of Turkey occasion to Assoc. Prof. Halit Centre performing exceptional which currently chairs the Eren for his good management work. He offered thanks and Islamic Summit, for attributing of the Centre’s activities gratitude to the Republic of to the Centre a head office and through various programs and Turkey, the host country of its continued support and activities that have contributed the Centre, for its unfailing facilities and benefits granted to enhancing the image of the support and attention given to to it to conduct as perfectly Islamic civilization, culture the activities of the Centre. as possible its projects and and arts. His Excellency also activities. He also expressed stressed the importance H.E. Dr. Iyad Ameen Madani, his gratitude to the Chairman of holding this session in Secretary General of the OIC, and members of the Governing the current circumstances expressed his pleasure to be Board and thanked them for experienced by the Muslim

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 5 world which necessitate end of his speech, the Secretary the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia measures to present the true General underlined the trust was preparing to celebrate in image of Islamic civilization placed in the person of Director 2017 the holy city of Medina as and to teach future generations General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren the capital of Islamic tourism, about Islamic culture, which as a highly qualified person and on this occasion various will prepare them for meeting and his engagement in the OIC cultural and artistic activities the challenges in this respect mission, and requested the and events would be organized. and preserve the foundations Board to renew the mandate of He then evoked the project of the of the Islamic civilization. He Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren. Centre on the history of Islam added that it is very important and its civilization, stressing The Board adopted the agenda that the Board may make the importance of studying and the program of the session. recommendations that would the civilizational dimension of frame the Centre’s activities Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, Director the Arabian Peninsula before relating to the preservation of General of IRCICA, said that Islam and benefiting from the Islamic culture, given that the the meeting would focus on the new archaeological discoveries latter is not apprehended at review of the work program made in Saudi Arabia, which is fair value; and that the active and budget of the year 2017 and considered as a starting point role of the Centre should be that a report on all activities of the Islamic Arab civilization. brought into focus as regards undertaken during the year He added that it was possible to the preservation of the cultural 2016, and a report on the obtain research reports on this and civilizational heritage of proposed work program for the subject, such as those relating the Muslim world and the year 2018 would be presented. to trade and pilgrimage in the organization of conferences and He also referred to the situation Arabian Peninsula; he also said seminars on important topics in many Muslim countries that other discoveries were related to the cultural heritage where terrorist acts targeted made which date back to ninety and personality and highlighting various regions and prevented thousand years ago. the various authentic and the teaching of true Islam to historical monuments of assume its role in building the Islamic civilizational a culture of dialogue, peace heritage. He stressed that the and mutual understanding, Palestinian cause was of great which negatively affects the importance within the OIC, development process in the including the issue related to Muslim world; he also talked the protection of the cultural about the wave of Islamophobia personality and the Palestinian that broke out in the world and identity and the support undermines the true image of extended to the Palestinian Islam and its civilization; hence people in their struggle against the need to multiply efforts Israeli colonialism through to deal with this and increase cultural, educational and the activities that enhance and scientific programs of the present the true image of Islam, subsidiary organs of the OIC, its culture and its civilization. including IRCICA, to support Dr. Saad Bin Abdul Aziz Al- the Palestinian institutions Rashid conveyed the greetings working in this regard. His of His Royal Highness Prince Excellency stressed the need to Sultan Bin Selman, Chairman pay attention to conflict zones, of the Saudi Commission for including Iraq, Libya, Mali and Tourism and National Heritage Syria and preserve the cultural (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), to heritage of Timbuktu. At the the Board members. He said that

6 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Mr. Khalaif M. Alezainah lauded the Centre for organizing universities and libraries there. expressed his appreciation a conference in Thailand on He called for more cooperation for the reports of the Director inter-religious dialogue and between IRCICA and the General of IRCICA, which reflect proposed that the Centre be more Republic of Niger and to make the enormous efforts made interested in the Philippines better known the Centre’s through the various programs Muslim community. activities within UNESCO. and activities related to the Muslim world and which were conducted during the previous period and congratulated the Centre for these big efforts.

Professor Mehmet İpşirli expressed his satisfaction with the documents and reports relating to the various activities of the Centre. He said that he has followed the activities of the Centre since 1990 and that these have been organized Professor Amadou Cissé Mr. Mashhood Ahmad since then in all regions of the Ndiéguène commended the Mirza expressed admiration Muslim world and in Turkey. Director General of the Centre at the reports and documents He praised the organization of and his team for the prepared presented and the diversity various scientific symposia and reports which reflect their of activities and projects conferences and other cultural professionalism, just as in undertaken. He praised the events relating to Islamic arts previous years. He praised the cooperation of IRCICA with and civilizational heritage and Centre’s constantly innovative UNESCO in organizing a major the project on the history of projects and cooperation even exhibition at the UNESCO Islam and its civilization. with countries facing difficult headquarters in Paris. He political situations. commended the holding by Ms. Saraya Arbi commended IRCICA and ISESCO of a the outstanding efforts of the Shaikh Boureima Abdou preparatory meeting towards Centre and the diversity of Daouda thanked the Director organizing an international projects included in the 2017 General of IRCICA and his team conference on the protection of and 2018 programs in the for the reports and documents the architectural civilizational cultural, historical and artistic relating to the activities of heritage of the Muslim world. fields and their usefulness for the Centre. He referred to the He stressed that the Centre could highlighting the contributions Director General’s visit to the have recourse to the services of of Islamic civilization. She also Republic of Niger and some

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 7 experts in UNESCO in the field 1. The Governing Board adopted support to projects. It of preservation of archaeological the addresses delivered at recommended to finance sites and manuscripts in the the opening session (by the following projects Muslim world. He stressed the the Director General, the through extra-budgetary importance of using internet Chairman of the Board and sources (specifically, from to promote the Centre’s the Secretary General, in the donation extended publications and suggested that order) and added them by His Highness Sheikh that a traveling exhibition of to the file of the present Hamad bin Khalifa Al the prize-winning calligraphic session. Taking note of the Thani the father): Islamic works at IRCICA’s international address of His Excellency history and civilisation, the calligraphy competitions be Mr. Iyad bin Ameen Madani, doctoral program on Islamic organized. He said that he would Secretary General of the OIC, civilisation, the training contact the concerned parties the Board welcomed the ideas programs in the fields of in Pakistan to assist the Centre and observations formulated calligraphy, gilding and with the modalities relating to about IRCICA’s activities and illumination, the decoration the project on the preservation projects. The Board conveyed of the calligraphic works of the Islamic heritage in its thanks and appreciation which won awards at IRCICA’s Jammu and Kashmir. to His Excellency Secretary calligraphy competitions, General for his calling upon and the projects relating to the Member States to support Al-Quds. and cooperate with the 6. The Board praised the efforts Centre. and the obvious progress 2. The Board adopted the report made so far by Dr. Halit Eren, of the Director General on Director General of IRCICA. the implementation of the It approved the proposal of activity program for 2016. H.E. OIC Secretary General of renewing the mandate of the 3. The Board approved the Director General for scientific work program of the Centre and objective considerations proposed for the year 2018 which require that Dr. Eren and adopted the projects it remains at his post, and contains. Mr. Alamine Moukhtar thanked him for this. Adoum stressed the importance 4. It took note and approved 7. The Board welcomed the fixed- and usefulness of the activities the draft budget for 2017 term contracts concluded and projects undertaken by the and decided to increase it by the Centre with experts IRCICA for the Muslim world. by 20% compared with that recruited within IRCICA He gave a historical overview of 2016, which represents because of the nature of some of the spread of Islam and the the minimum to cover the major long-term research Muslim Arab civilization in Centre’s programs; it also projects which require Chad and invited IRCICA to asked the OIC to urge the constant monitoring. focus on the cultural heritage Member States to pay their of Chad. He also called upon the arrears to IRCICA’s budget. 8. The Board approved the proposal of holding the OIC to contribute to combating 5. The Board expressed its Centre’s Board meeting twice the dangers that Chad faces satisfaction and gratitude a year instead of once to allow and help it to stand against for the implementation the Board’s members to follow extremism, stressing that the by the Centre of diverse closely the work of the Centre victim is Islam. projects through an extra- and provide the necessary The Board made the following budgetary funding consisting support to its activities. recommendations: of donations and financial

8 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Congresses, Workshops

IRCICA and Karatay University in Konya jointly organized an International Symposium on “Konya in Islamic Civilization” (17-19 December 2016) in the context of the OIC’s Declaration of Konya as “Islamic World Tourism Capital 2016”

RCICA and Karatay The decision was made in IUniversity of the Chamber accordance with the selection of Commerce of Konya jointly criteria as defined by the organized an International Islamic Conference of Tourism Symposium on “Konya in Ministers on its 8th Session Islamic Civilization” with the (Banjul, Islamic Republic of support of Konya Metropolitan Gambia, December 2013) and Municipality and the endorsed by its 9th Session Governorate of Konya. The (Niamey, Republic of Niger, initiative for the organization December 2015). of the symposium came from The International Symposium IRCICA within the general on “Konya in Islamic framework of activities to mark Civilization” organized by the OIC’s selection of Konya as IRCICA and Karatay University the “Islamic World Tourism of the Chamber of Commerce Capital 2016”. of Konya was opened on 17 The formal decision by the December 2016. The Minister OIC to select Konya as the of Culture and Tourism of the of Karatay University of the “Islamic World Tourism Republic of Turkey, H.E. Prof. Konya Chamber of Commerce Capital 2016” was taken at the Nabi Avcı, kindly participated Prof. Bayram Sade also made 4th Coordination Committee in the opening and addressed welcoming speeches. Then the Meeting on Tourism (Jakarta, the participants. The Governor Director General of IRCICA, Republic of Indonesia, 2014) of Konya, H.E. Mr. Yakup Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren made of the OIC Standing Committee Canbolat, the Metropolitan his opening speech and for Economic and Commercial Mayor of Konya, H.E. Mr. outlined the prominence of Cooperation (COMCEC). Tahir Akyürek, the Rector

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 9 Konya as a cultural center organizations. in Islamic civilization and Diverse aspects of Konya as underlined the importance a center of cultural tourism of the OIC’s declaration were studied and highlighted of Konya as the “Islamic during the academic sessions; World Tourism Capital specifically underlining 2016”. Several members the role, contributions and of the Turkish Parliament importance of Konya in representing Konya and Islamic civilization. The a substantial audience papers addressed topics including academics, authors H.E.Prof.Dr. Nabi Avcı, Minister of Culture, Turkey related to the cultural and and students were also scholarly developments in present in the opening. Konya over the course of During the three-day its Islamic history during academic symposium, forty- the Seljukid, Ottoman eight (48) scholars from and present periods; its ten (10) countries including eminent religious scholars, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, educational institutions, United Arab Emirates, India, social, artistic and literary Jordan, Albania, Russian developments; its urban Federation, Oman, Tajikistan and architectural heritage presented their papers. and the spirit of tolerance IRCICA General Director, Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren Konya is a major center of that emanated from the culture and civilization at scholarly-mystic atmosphere the heart of Turkey known as of Konya making it a the historical capital of the world city that symbolizes Seljukid State and the home tolerance and compassion. of eminent figures such as The symposium’s official Mawlana Jalal al-Din al- opening which corresponded Rumi, Sadr al-Din al-Qunawi, to the “Sheb-i Arus” Shams Tabrizi, Sahib Celebrations associated with Ata, Jalal al-Din Karatay, world-renown Sufi scholar Hacıveyiszade Mustafa Sabri Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi Efendi, as well as various added special significance to Mr. Tahir Akyürek, Mayor of Konya madrasas and “Sheb-i Arus” the proceedings.

10 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and IRCICA organized an International Conference on “Karabakh: History and Heritage” 10-11 November 2016, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan

n international conference region of Azerbaijan. The international events, in the Atitled “Karabakh: history project represents a scholarly, cyber space and press media and heritage” was jointly scientific, and practical effort as well as in cuisine. Armenian organized by the Ministry to collect research findings policy continues to infringe of Culture and Tourism of and documentation, inform on the culture, historical Azerbaijan, the National world opinion and encourage monuments, music and cuisine Academy of Sciences and attention to preservation of of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is the OIC Research Centre this heritage. trying to prevent such false for Islamic History, Art claims by the Armenian side, In his opening speech, H.E. and Culture (IRCICA). The therefore Azerbaijani people Abulfez Garayev, Minister conference was opened by managed to include many of Culture and Tourism of the Minister of Culture and samples of their cultural Azerbaijan stated: “Every Tourism of Azerbaijan H.E. property within the UNESCO day the people of Azerbaijan Dr. Abulfez Garayev and intangible cultural heritage feel the consequences of IRCICA Director General list. These values do not belong the Armenian occupation. Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren. The only to the Azerbaijani people, Armenia’s aggressive policy workshop concretized the aim but to all mankind”. against Azerbaijan is not just of a project formulated jointly limited to the occupation of Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, by IRCICA and the Ministry Azerbaijani territories”. The Director General of IRCICA, of Culture of Azerbaijan, to Minister noted that “every day in his speech underlined that highlight and preserve the we are witnessing the reflections the conference and the project cultural and architectural of Armenian aggression in on the heritage of Karabagh heritage of the Karabagh

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 11 were devised in line with the resolutions of the 13thIslamic Summit Conference which was held in Istanbul, Turkey on 13-15 April 2016 and the 43rd Session of the Council of the Foreign Ministers of the OIC held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 18-19 October 2016. In these resolutions, the OIC Member States affirmed their principled position on condemnation of the aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan and condemned in the strongest terms continuous attacks carried out by the Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a result of which civilian population suffered, mosques were attacked, people died and social of Karabagh. Participants of the conference and economic infrastructure was destroyed. They included Prof. Amir Pasic, Consultant to IRCICA strongly condemned acts of vandalism, looting Director General for Architectural Heritage; Dr. and destruction of the archeological, cultural and Önder Bayır, Head of the Turkish Republic Prime religious monuments in the occupied territories Ministry Ottoman Archives, Istanbul; Prof. of Azerbaijan. Şenol Kantarcı, Akdeniz University, Antalya; Prof. Gülşen Seyhan Alışık, Marmara University, During five sessions of the international Istanbul; and Assoc. Prof. Zekeriya Türkmen, conference, scholars presented the findings of Beykent University, Istanbul. their research related to the history and heritage

12 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Consultative meeting at IRCICA with the Working Group on Imam Bukhari International Research Centre (IBIRC) to be established in Samarkand-Uzbekistan 24-25 November 2016

he initiative of H.E. Shavkat November 2016. The Group was IRCICA Director General TMirziyoyev, the then Acting composed of H.E. Ambassador Assoc. Prof Halit Eren together President of the Republic of Otabek Akbarov, Director of with department heads and Uzbekistan to establish the the Department of Cooperation senior researchers from “Imam al-Bukhari International with Middle and Near East IRCICA communicated their Research Centre” (IBIRC) in the Countries, Ministry of Foreign knowledge and experiences city of Samarkand was adopted Affairs of Uzbekistan, Mr. and formulated their views by the 43rd Session of the Davron Kalandarov, Director of on possible organizational Council of Foreign Ministers Department, Ministry of Justice, and statutory aspects of the of the OIC Member States held Dr. Bakhrom Abduhalimov, Imam Bukhari International in Tashkent on 18-19 October Head of Department, Academy Research Centre; as well as its 2016. Towards implementation of Sciences and Dr. Shovosil objectives and the thematic, of this initiative, the Working Ziyadov, Director of the Imam academic and practical aspects Group on the Establishment Bukhari International Research of its foreseen mandate. of the Imam al-Bukhari Centre. The Ambassador of IRCICA and the working International Research Centre Uzbekistan in Turkey H.E. Mr. group representing IBIRC also assigned by the Government of Ulfat Kadyrov was also present expressed their willingness to Uzbekistan visited IRCICA for at the meeting. consider possibilities of joint a consultative meeting on 24-25 organization of international

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 13 events and publication of scholarly works, on the following prospective avenues of partnership: the academic heritage of Imam Bukhari, Islamic history and civilization in Central Asia, Preservation of Islamic cultural heritage, Written sources of Islam and Islamic history, History of sciences in the Muslim world, Common human values on the Great Silk Road, and History of waqfs in Islam. Contacts and meetings between IRCICA and the Working Group on the Establishment of IBIRC will continue in the preparatory phase towards establishment of the centre as well as following its operationalization, where development of extensive cooperation is envisaged by the two parties.

14 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren participated in the International Seminar on the “Belt and Road Initiative” Xi’an, China, 26-27 Sept. 2016

RCICA Director General Assoc. IProf. Halit Eren participated in the International Seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative in Xi’an, China on 26-27 September 2016 and made a presentation titled “A 21st Century Silk Road Paradigm: Vision and Realization” at the Session on origins of Western civilization. regions or localities that were links “Carrying Forward the Silk Road Research that challenged euro- in its chains. Interactions took place Spirit to Enhance Mutual Learning centric models about the circulation within East Asia as well as between and Cultural Exchanges among of arts and sciences helped to develop South and East Asia or within the Civilizations”. an objective history of culture in Mediterranean as well as between recent decades. Some regions in Asia Caucasus and the Mediterranean. Assoc. Prof. Eren stated that the Silk and Africa for example were until As a result, this cultural exchange Road can be an inspiring case for recently considered as peripheries of encompassed a large diversity of studies on the evolution of cultural a supposed European core. But now, religions and systems of belief as interactions of world’s peoples. It can academic interest in the achievements well as ethnicities and languages. give examples of the dynamics of world of these regions have highlighted the The three divine religions – Islam, culture and of the inherent cultural role of many processes such as the Christianity and Judaism - and other pluralism of world community from Silk Road. faith systems, particularly Buddhism, a time frame of many centuries. He spread along it. added that analysis of the Silk Road Assoc. Prof. Eren stressed that the cultural flows can enrich the studies Silk Road conveyed the exchanges that acknowledge the “Eastern” not between an East and a West in too broad terms, but between smaller

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 15 Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States approved IRCICA’s Work Plans on the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 16-18 October 2016

he Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States Tapproved IRCICA’s Work Plans on the 43rd Session of the CFM at Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 16-18 October 2016. IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren made a speech at the CFM and outlined the activities of IRCICA, as the OIC’s cultural and scholarly subsidiary, as it completes its 37th year with an expanding range of activities on different subjects of Islamic civilization and Muslim cultures. Assoc. Prof. Eren stated that in the field of studies on the Holy Quran, IRCICA published a study of the partial copy of the Holy Quran found at Tubingen University Library in Germany, estimated at 649-659 AD by radiocarbon dating. A study on the copy preserved at British Museum Library in London has been prepared and sent to publishing, along with an analytical study of the scripts and orthography of some earliest copies of the Holy Quran. At the request of Ministry of Islamic Affairs of the Gambia, of the the President of the Islamic Republic of Gambia, IRCICA “President Yahya Jammeh International Award for Quran was co-organizer, together with the Ministry of Higher Memorization Competition”, in Banjul on 25-26 July 2016. Education, Research, Science and Technology and the 24 hafidhs participated in it from 21 countries.

16 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Assoc. Prof. Eren stated that in organized by IRCICA. In May 2015 the Belt and Road Initiative” held in the field of Islamic History and fifth congress on “Islamic Civilization Xi’an, China in September 2016; the Civilization, preparation of an in the Balkans” was organized in lecture on Cultural Relations between 8-volume publication on the history Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina the Muslim World and Russia, at and civilization of Islam continued with 55 papers presented. In January the Oriental Institute of the Russian with the first volume finalized for 2016, the International Symposium Academy of Sciences in Moscow in printing. In the project on the history on “Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful October and the two papers delivered of Palestine over past centuries, Coexistence in Multicultural at the Conference on “Oriental Studies first volume containing Arabic Societies” was organized in Bangkok, Research in Kazakhstan” in Almaty translations and studies of 16th jointly with the Ministry of Foreign within the framework of the 25th century documents from Ottoman Affairs of Thailand, and in March Anniversary of the independence of State archives was published. In the 2016 the congress on “Islamic the Republic of Kazakhstan. context of the project concerning Civilisation in Southern Africa”, In the field of Islamic arts, Assoc. Sharia Court registers in Al-Quds, was held jointly with the Muslim Prof. Eren stated that the Tenth 3 more volumes were published. Community of South Africa and IRCICA International Calligraphy In the project on Arab provinces the University of Kwazulu-Natal, in Competition was finalized its results in Ottoman documents, four Durban. In the field of intercultural were announced on 17 May 2016. Out volumes were published in Arabic. relations, IRCICA organized a of 688 participants from 36 countries, Concerning the history and cultural Special Session titled “Promoting 113 participants from 18 countries heritage of Islam, in September 2016, multicultural perspectives to prevent won awards. Awards totaling a Cultural Cooperation Agreement violent extremism” during the 7th 199,250 US$ were distributed. was signed with the Ministry of Global Forum of the United Nations Islamic calligraphy exhibitions were Culture of the Republic of Mali as a Alliance of Civilisations in Baku, in organized during the 13th Islamic framework for joint activities that can April 2016. Summit in Istanbul in April 2016 and be undertaken in areas of history and Assoc. Prof. Eren also mentioned the Putrajaya International Islamic culture and preservation of cultural his lectures on pertinent topics Arts Festival Malaysia, November heritage including preservation of the given in 2016. He cited the lecture 2016; and during the OIC Day in Timbuktu manuscripts. on the theme of Reviving the Silk UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Assoc. Prof. Eren also gave Road Spirit, on invitation, during information on scholarly congresses the International Seminar on “The

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 17 IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren gave two lectures in the International Conference on “Oriental Studies Research in Kazakhstan: Achievements and Prospects”, Almaty-Kazakhstan 12-13 October, 2016

RCICA Director General Assoc. one of Kazakhstan’s most dynamic State of the Research Centre for Islamic IProf. Halit Eren participated scholarly institutions that contribute History, Art and Culture, IRCICA. in the International Conference not only to research and cultural He underlined that Kazakhstan has on “Oriental Studies Research in advancement on national scale but been an active Member State of the Kazakhstan: Achievements and also to strengthening of academic OIC in many areas and an example Prospects”, in Almaty-Kazakhstan on and cultural relations between of Kazakhstan’s activities is that it 12-13 October, 2016. The Conference Kazakhstan and other countries. will host the first OIC Summit on marked the 20th jubilee of R.B. Among these countries there are, of Science and Technology in 2017. The Suleimanov Institute and the 25th course, the Muslim countries, that is, 13th Islamic Summit Conference Anniversary of the Independence Member States of the Organisation held in Istanbul on 13-15 April of the Republic of Kazakhstan, of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). A 2016 adopted the proposal by H.E. organized by the R.B. Suleimanov large part of the themes addressed President Nursultan Nazarbayev Institute of Oriental Studies of the in Oriental Studies belong to the regarding the announcement of the Committee of Science, Ministry of history and cultural heritage of those “Islamic Infrastructural Integration” Education and Science of the Republic countries. Therefore, these studies Initiative, aimed at the advancement of Kazakhstan, and the Kazakhstan- contribute in disseminating deeper of sustainable and inclusive economic Indian Foundation (KIF). objective knowledge on this history growth, regional integration and and heritage and, on a larger scale, in cooperation among the OIC Member In the conference, Assoc. Prof. Halit enhancing countries’ understanding States. A comprehensive Strategic Eren gave two lectures. The first was of each other. Program will be developed by the titled “Kazakhstan’s Role in Promoting relevant OIC institutions on the International Cooperation in the Area Assoc. Prof. Eren reminded that implementation of this Initiative. of Oriental Studies”. In the lecture, he Kazakhstan is a Member State of the Assoc. Prof. Eren also cited that the stressed that Suleimanov Institute is OIC since 1995 and also a Member

18 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 same Summit Conference welcomed the Initiative to launch a process of Islamic rapprochement by the joint declaration of the President of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, dated 13 April 2016. The Conference decided to launch the process of Islamic rapprochement as a new paradigm of relations in the Muslim world through demonstration of goodwill and constructive approach for peaceful resolution of disputes, for respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty techniques, artists and architectural Many of the modern financial and and the principle of noninterference ideas travelling on that Road. Science business modes, practices and in internal affairs of each other and scholarship were transmitted, as institutions were developed on and friendly relations between the well as agricultural and manufactured the Silk Road. These include taxes Member States of the OIC. goods. Processes such as the Silk Road on transport, roads and frontiers, Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren also made fostered awareness between peoples payment systems and international a presentation on the workshop of different faiths and cultures. banking, commercial agents and titled “Spiritual Heritage and the They strengthened awareness of the intermediaries. Interaction of Cultures on the Great different communities about their Assoc. Prof. Eren attracted attention Silk Road” on the sidelines of the own cultural identities and of other to the point that the Silk Road is conference the following day. The cultural identities. The Silk Road is also important for its contribution title of his presentation was “Reviving important as a network of trade. It to cultural tourism in today’s terms. the Silk Road Spirit for 21st-Century is also important as a spontaneous The transfer of sciences, techniques, Cultural Interactions”. network of cultural exchanges. works of arts and literature, the Assoc. Prof. Eren stressed that the Assoc. Prof. Eren underlined that the spread of religions and systems of Silk Road is an inspiring historical Silk Road is a composite historical belief, made long-lasting effects. experience and deserves analysis and experience which contributed to the Songs and tales, crafts and customs interpretation with respect to the development of international relations were transmitted and assimilated by history of international relations and as we understand today. Transactions peoples. These developments fostered cultural interactions. He stated that between traders, travelers and other the idea of travel for learning and a major aspect of the Silk Road was agents reinforced senses of affiliation intellectual curiosity. that it promoted cultural contacts. and reciprocity. These senses of Finally, Assoc. Prof. Eren argued Together with merchants and their affiliation with respective political that along the Silk Road, various commodities, there were philosophers rules, with competing or partner activities could be organized to and ideas, preachers and religions, economic interests, help to shape encourage, enhance and expand researchers and sciences, skills and and strengthen communal identities. international cultural cooperation, cultural exchanges and joint activities. Organizations and institutions at national and international levels could initiate congresses, scholarly and artistic gatherings; revival of traditions such as festivals and marketplaces for exchanges of ideas, arts and innovations; and schemes to promote sharing of knowledge and learning.

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 19 IRCICA organized an exhibition of “Calligraphy and Illumination by Lady Artists” on the occasion of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Women’s Role in the Development of OIC Member States Istanbul, 2-3 November 2016

RCICA organized an exhibition of “Calligraphy and IIllumination by Lady Artists” on the occasion of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Women’s Role in the Development of OIC Member States (Istanbul, 2-3 November 2016). The Sixth Ministerial Conference on Women’s Role in the Development of OIC Member States was opened with an address by H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey in Istanbul, on 2 November 2016. The conference was attended by Ministers in charge of women’s affairs in the 56 OIC Member States and representatives of international organizations concerned. IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren delivered an address during the conference, outlining the projects of IRCICA that aim to enhance women’s cultural and artistic activities. In this regard, he stressed that IRCICA encourages participation of women artists, scholars and other professionals in international events on arts and on “Lady Artists in the Muslim world” held in 2014 in the traditional handicrafts that it organizes, such as festivals, context of the IRCICA International Gathering on Islamic award competitions and training programs. Furthermore, Calligraphy. he stated that IRCICA devotes specific activities to themes The exhibition of “Calligraphy and Illumination by Lady relating to the role of women in cultural life of Member Artists” organized by IRCICA was also visited by the States. The main examples are the symposium on “The President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Recep Tayyip Family in Muslim Countries and Communities” organized Erdogan and Turkey’s First Lady H.E. Mrs Emine Erdoğan, in 2012; the international symposium and exhibitions on as well as the Ministers attending the conference. “Lady Calligraphers” held in 2010; and the special session

20 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 IRCICA participated IRCICA participated in the Third in the 32nd Session International Conference on of the Standing Translation and the Problematics of Committee of Cross-Cultural Understanding and Economic and the Award Ceremony of the Sheikh Commercial Hamad Award for Translation and Cooperation International Understanding (COMCEC) of the Doha-Qatar, 12-13 December 2016 OIC in Istanbul 21-24 November 2016

he COMCEC, which has 56 Tmember and 5 observer countries, and chaired by the Chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Turkey, held its 32ndMinisterial Session on 21-24 November 2016 at İstanbul Congress Center. The member states were represented by their respective Ministers during the session inaugurated by the Turkish President H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Theme of this year’s Ministerial Exchange of Views Session was designated as “Developing Islamic RCICA participated in the Third and International Relations Finance Strategies in the OIC member IInternational Conference on Forum and the Chairman of the Countries”. The Session was attended by Translation and the Problematics Award Committee as the “Guest the delegates of relevant OIC institutions of Cross-Cultural Understanding of Honour” and made a speech and international organizations. and the Award Ceremony of in the award ceremony in which IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. the Sheikh Hamad Award for he stressed the importance of Halit Eren, Advisor to the Director Translation and International translating fundamental sources General Dr. Nezih Maouruf, Senior Understanding in Doha, Qatar on of cultural and civilizational Researchers Mrs. Zeynep Durukal 12-13 December 2016. The award heritage to promote mutual and Prof. Sadık Unay participated in ceremony in which Spanish was understanding. Assoc. Prof. Eren the 32nd Session of the COMCEC to added to English for this year as in his speech stressed that this represent IRCICA. one of the translation languages award has a high reputation in was organized in Doha where international standards and it was the awards were submitted to the remarkable that foreign languages winners by his highness Prince were added to the Arabic language Jasem bin Al-Sheikh Hamad. in every tournament. He also IRCICA Director General Assoc. thanked the Award Committee Prof. Halit Eren was invited for choosing the Turkish language by Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Al- in the last tournament (2015) Ahmary, the President of Arabic and granting the awards to elite

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 21 translators producing valuable works ceremony and served within the translations and pursue uniqueness in on culture, choosing Senior Researcher Board of Trustees of the competition. these fields. In addition to honoring at IRCICA Prof. Fazıl Bayat for the first the translators and appreciating It is worth noting that this translation prize in the tournament. Assoc. Prof. their role in connecting different award contributes to alleviating Eren stated that this award widely peoples and nations and enriching misunderstandings on Islamic and contributed to multicultural relations the international cultural heritage, Arabic cultures. It also helps develop and international understanding, the ceremony also appreciates those relations with other cultures by strengthening social relations among who contribute to spreading peace transferring ideas, knowledge and different communities. At the end and international understanding as sciences by translating the creativity of of his speech, he congratulated the individuals or institutions. the Arabic culture to world languages. winners of the tournament, thanked Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation The Third International Conference the State of Qatar for supporting the targets enriching the Arabic literature on Translation and the Problematics organization and greeted the Award with important works related with of Cross-Cultural Understanding Committee. the global culture, arts and sciences; lasted two days on 12-13 December Prof. Fazıl Bayat, Senior Researcher as well as enriching the global 2016 following the award ceremony from IRCICA, who has received the knowledge and heritage with works and several researchers submitted award for best translation in 2015 with on Arabic and Islamic culture. papers concerning issues of his work titled “al-Bilad al-Arabiyya The award targets encouraging the translation from and to the Arabic fi al-wathaiq al-Othmaniyya” (The individuals, publication houses and language, difficulties associated with Arab Provinces in the Ottoman international cultural entities in the translation work and strategies to Documents), also participated the Arab world to focus on high-quality overcome them.

22 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 IRCICA participated in the International Symposium organized by the Algerian National Archives and the Ottoman Archives on the occasion of the 5th Centenary of the Arrival of Barbarossa brothers to the shores of Algiers in 1516 9-10 November 2016, Béjaïa, Algeria

RCICA also participated in the International Symposium Iorganized by the Algerian National Archives and the Ottoman Archives and with the contribution of the National Centre of Anthropological Studies and Abdrrahmane Mira University (Béjaïa). The symposium was held in Béjaïa city, Algeria, on November 2016, on the occasion of the 5th Centenary of the Arrival of Barbarossa brothers to the shores of Algiers in 1516. In the opening ceremony, Prof. Fazıl Bayat, Senior Researcher at IRCICA, presented the address of the IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren in which he endorsed the role of the Algerian National Archives and confirmed that such meetings will serve to deliver Ottoman documents to the service of researchers in the Arab world. Furthermore, Assoc. Prof. Eren emphasized that a substantial amount of Ottoman sources related to the Maghreb were lost and he was confident that such scholarly meetings will inspire the Arab scholars and encourage them to discover the unknown sides of Ottoman archives. Several researchers from Algeria and Turkey participated in the symposium and submitted their papers on different aspects of the Algerian history during the Ottoman era. Prof. Fazıl Bayat, Senior Researcher at IRCICA, also made a presentation on indexes of the Ottoman mission and to monumental and historical areas, especially the main its importance in studying Algerian history. Prof. İdris Ottoman monuments in Algiers and Béjaïa cities as well as Bostan from Istanbul University and Prof Uğur Ünal, two exhibitions organized by the Algerian National Archives Director General of Ottoman Archives were also among the where Ottoman documents that focus on the historical participants of the symposium. The program included visits heritage of Algeria during the Ottoman era were presented.

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 23 IRCICA Director General Dr. Halit Eren participated in the Opening Ceremony of the International Cultural Festival for Calligraphy, Miniatures and Ornamentation in Algiers 22 September 2016

RCICA Director General Dr. Halit Eren Iparticipated in the International Cultural Festival for Calligraphy, Miniatures and Ornamentation in Algeria. The international cultural festival opened in the Algerian capital Algiers on 22 September 2016 at the Mufdy Zakaria Cultural Palace. H.E Mr. Ezz El Din Mayhooby, Minister of Culture of Algeria, Dr. Halit Eren, Director General of IRCICA and various accredited ambassadors to Algeria in addition to a sizeable audience attended the opening ceremony. Awards and certificates were presented at the opening ceremony by Dr. Halit Eren to five calligraphers from Algeria who were selected by the jury at the Tenth International Calligraphy Competition organized by IRCICA in 2016. One hundred and sixteen (116) artists representing H.E Mr. Ezz El Din Mayhooby, Minister of Culture of Algeria and Dr. Halit Eren, Algeria and twenty-three (23) other countries have Director General of IRCICA participated in this event including Turkey, Indonesia, Tunis, Iran, Morocco and India with artists from

24 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Germany attending for the first time. The festival program includes a gallery exhibition in addition to the organization of lectures and workshops. Algerian master calligrapher Mohamed Sharify - Honorary Member in the Jury of the International Calligraphy Competitions organized by IRCICA – received various international awards from H.E Mr. Ezz El Din Mayhooby, Minister of Culture of Algeria and Dr. Halit Eren, Director General of IRCICA.

Tenth International Calligraphy Competition in the name of Hafiz Osman Award Winning Calligraphers from Algeria

Name - Surname Prizes Style Amounts Djamel Fenineche 3rd Prize Kufi 1.000 $ Ben Bou Abdallah Bel Kacem Incentive Thuluth 750 $ Naskh 750 $ Bouzgou Hassen Incentive Naskh 750 $ Moustafa B.Aek Koudri Incentive Naskh 750 $ Safar Bati Mhamed Incentive Naskh 750 $ Total 4,750 $

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 25 Exhibitions

Historical photograph exhibition on “Al-Haramein (Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madina al-Munawara) during the Ottoman Period, organized by IRCICA and the Kuwait National Council for Culture, Art and Letters 20 December 2016

he exhibition of historical photographs on “Al-Haramein (Makkah al- TMukarramah and al-Madina al-Munawara) during the Ottoman Period” was convened by IRCICA jointly with Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Art and Letters at the Museum Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyya, Kuwait City between 20 December 2016 and 11 February 2017. IRCICA and the Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Art and Letters jointly organized an exhibition of historical photographs on “Al-Haramein (Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madina al-Munawara) during the Ottoman Period” which is held at the Museum Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyya in Kuwait City. The exhibition was opened on 20 December 2016 in the presence of IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, Secretary General of the Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Art and Letters Mr. Ali Hussain al-Yuha, the Ambassador of Turkey in Kuwait H.E. Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer and representatives from the leading cultural and educational institutions of Kuwait. The exhibition will remain open to visit until 11 February 2017. The

historical photographs on display were selected from the albums of Sultan Abdulhamid II dating from the late 19th-early 20th centuries and IRCICA archives.

26 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 IRCICA contributed to the Calligraphy Exhibition on “The Exquisite Art of Calligraphy”, organized by the Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at UNESCO headquarters Paris, 9 December 2016

RCICA contributed to the Calligraphy IExhibition titled “The Exquisite Art of Calligraphy” organized by the Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Exhibition was held at the UNESCO headquarters in central Paris on 9 December 2016. IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren participated in the opening ceremony of the exhibition and addressed the audience.

IRCICA participated in the Putrajaya International Islamic Arts and Culture Festival 2016 (PIIACUF) with an Exhibition on “Al Asma ul-Husna” (Holy Names of Allah SWT) 1-11 December 2016

RCICA participated in the Putrajaya IInternational Islamic Arts and Culture Festival 2016 (PIIACUF) with an Exhibition titled “Al Asma ul-Husna” (Holy Names of Allah SWT) between 1-11 December 2016. The exhibition convened by IRCICA took place in the Putrajaya International Convention Centre and comprised 28 works of calligraphy on the Holy Names of Allah (SWT) by 12 Turkish masters of calligraphy. The exhibition was formally opened on 1 December 2016 and the Head of the Calligraphy Department at IRCICA Mr. Said Kasımoğlu represented IRCICA at the Exhibition.

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 27 Meetings, Cooperation and Visits

H.E. Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates and a delegation accompanying her visited IRCICA 4 November 2016

.E. Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, HMinister of State of the United Arab Emirates and a delegation accompanying her visited IRCICA, 4 November. H.E. Dr. Al Shamsi and IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren exchanged views on the potential ways of improving bilateral relations between the government, universities and civil society institutions in the United Arab Emirates and IRCICA so as to contribute ongoing research on Islamic history, art and culture.

H.E. Mr. Azoumana Moutaye, Minister of National Entrepreneurship, Crafts and Promotion of SME’s of the Republic of Ivory Coast, visited IRCICA 24 November 2016

.E. Mr. Azoumana Moutaye, Minister Hof National Entrepreneurship, Crafts and SME’s of the Republic of Ivory Coast visited IRCICA and met with IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, on 24 November 2016. Minister Moutaye was representing the Republic of Ivory Coast at the 32nd Ministerial Session of the OIC’s Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) being held in Istanbul on 23-24 November 2016. Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren briefed H.E. the Minister on the activities of IRCICA. Views were exchanged on the subject areas and types of the joint projects to be undertaken through cooperation between IRCICA and the cultural and educational institutions of Ivory Coast.

28 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 H.E. Ambassador Gunay Afandiyeva, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, visited IRCICA 1 December 2016

n 1st December 2016 the Director General of IRCICA OAssoc. Prof. Halit Eren received H.E. Ambassador Gunay Afandiyeva, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Baku, Azerbaijan, at IRCICA’s headquarters at Yıldız Palace. Possible areas of cooperation between IRCICA and the Foundation were discussed in detail. IRCICA Director General informed Ambassador Afandiyeva on recent developments in the Centre’s activities, with an emphasis on those research projects, academic congresses and documentary exhibitions that are related to the arts and cultures of Turkic states. The Director General also guided Ambassador Afandiyeva to the library, the collections of calligraphic works and the display of IRCICA’s publications. Views were exchanged on prospective joint projects which would serve both organizations’ objectives, such as highlighting, preserving and making known the assets of cultural and architectural heritage of their respective member countries The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation including the Azeri Turkic-Islamic heritage situated in was established in Baku at the decision of the Summit the Karabagh region occupied by Armenia. Ambassador Conference of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Afandiyeva offered to IRCICA books on various themes Speaking States on its session held in Astana, Kazakhstan related to the Turkic world’s cultures and a book on the in September 2015 which also appointed Ambassador Khojaly Massacre of 1992. Gunay Afandiyeva as the first President of the Foundation.

Visit of the Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Istanbul H.E. Mr. Bassam Rady to IRCICA 6 September 2016

n September 6, 2016 the Consul IRCICA Director General Assoc. reference to Egypt and North Africa, OGeneral of the Arab Republic Prof. Halit Eren exchanged views on and discussed ways of improving of Egypt to Istanbul H.E. Mr. Bassam IRCICA activities on Islamic history, bilateral collaboration with new Rady visited IRCICA. H.E. Rady and culture and civilization with special projects.

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 29 Ambassador of the Guinean Republic, H.E. Mr. Dauda Bangoura visited IRCICA 30 December 2016

n December 30, 2016 the Ambassador of the Guinean ORepublic to Turkey, H.E. Mr. Dauda Bangoura visited IRCICA. H.E. Mr. Bangoura and IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren exchanged views on IRCICA activities on Islamic history, culture and civilization with special reference to North Africa, and discussed ways of improving bilateral collaboration between IRCICA and the Guinean Republic with new projects.

Visit of the Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Istanbul H.E. Mr. Bakhtiar Assadzadeh Sheikhjani, to IRCICA 15 November 2016

n November 15 2016, Othe Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Istanbul H.E. Mr. Bakhtiar Assadzadeh Sheikhjani, Cultural Attaché Mr. Ali Riza Rashed, Protocol Officer Mr. Hassan Azimzade and Translator Mr. Habib Mesri visited IRCICA. IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren exchanged views with H.E. Mr. Sheikhjani and the delegation on IRCICA activities on Islamic history, culture and civilization with special reference to Iran, including ongoing collaboration with handicraft festivals and discussed ways of improving bilateral collaboration with new projects.

30 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Prof. Abdulrahim Abuhusayn, Director of the Center for Arts and Humanities, American University of Beirut (AUB) and Prof. Bilal Orfali, Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, AUB, visited IRCICA 27 December 2016

rof. Abdulrahim Abuhusayn, on 27 December 2016. The meeting “URBICIDE II: Syria, Iraq, Yemen PHead of the Center for Arts and with Director General Dr. Halit Eren – Postwar Reconstruction and Humanities and professor at the centered on activities to be organized Development” to take place on Department of History, American jointly by IRCICA and the Center for 6-8 April 2017 in Beirut, Lebanon. University of Beirut (AUB), and Arts and Humanities which include a A Framework Agreement for Prof. Bilal Orfali, Head of the calligraphy exhibition to be organized Cooperation was signed between Department of Arabic Language and at AUB on 13-18 March 2017 and IRCICA and the Center for Arts and Literature, AUB, visited IRCICA the International Conference on Humanities.

Visit of the Consul General of the Republic of Tunisia to Istanbul H.E. Mr. Mohamed Faysal bin Mustafa to IRCICA 21 December 2016

n 21 December 2016, the Consul OGeneral of the Republic of Tunisia to Istanbul H.E. Mr. Mohamed Faysal bin Mustafa visited IRCICA. H.E. Mr. Mustafa and IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren exchanged views on IRCICA activities on Islamic history, culture and civilization with special reference to Tunisia and the Maghreb and discussed ways of improving bilateral collaboration.

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 31 Mr. Azzam Al-Khatib, Director General of Awqaf Al-Quds and Mr. Wasfi Al-Geylani visited IRCICA 5 December 2016

r. Azzam Al-Khatib, Director General of Awqaf Al- and Mr. Wasfi Al-Geylani were received at IRCICA, briefed MQuds and Mr. Wasfi Al-Geylani, Representative of about the activities of different IRCICA departments on Jordanian Waqf Authority in Al Quds paid a courtesy visit Al Quds and exchanged views on the potential ways of to IRCICA on 5 December 2016. Mr. Azzam Al-Khatib improving bilateral collaboration.

Prof. Abdel Kader Haidara, Chairman of SAVAMA-DCI NGO, based in Bamako-Mali, visited IRCICA 27 December 2016

rof. Abdel Kader Haidara, Chairman of SAVAMA-DCI NGO P(Sauvegarde et Valorisation des Manuscrits pour la Défense de la Culture Islamique), a non-governmental organization based in Bamako-Mali, paid an official visit to IRCICA on 27 December 2016. Prof. Abdel Kader Haidara and IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren exchanged views on the Project to Preserve the Islamic Heritage in Mali and the contributions of IRCICA to manuscript restoration works in Bamako. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IRCICA and SAVAMA-DCI NGO (Safeguarding and Promoting Manuscripts for the Defense of the Islamic Culture) concerning collaboration for the preservation and restoration of historical manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an in Mali.

32 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 Visit by IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren to the Rector of Istanbul Technical University Prof. Dr. Muammer Karaca 20 September 2016

RCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. IHalit Eren paid a courtesy visit to the Rector of Istanbul Technical University, Prof. Muammer Karaca on 20 September 2016. Assoc. Prof. Eren congratulated Prof. Karaca on his reappointment as the Rector of Istanbul Technical University and exchanged views on potential modes of collaboration between IRCICA and Istanbul Technical University through international congresses, workshops and projects.

Visit by Dr. Mohd Hafız Safiai, Lecturer at Sharia Law Department, Faculty of Islamic Studies, University Kebangsaan Malaysia visited IRCICA along with a delegation 1 October 2016

r. Mohd Hafız Safiai, Lecturer at Sharia DLaw Department, Faculty of Islamic Studies, University Kebangsaan Malaysia visited IRCICA along with a delegation on October 1, 2016. The delegation included Assoc. Prof. İnbor Azli Ibrahim, Dr. Mohd Hafiz Safiai, Mr Muhammed Zain Bin Yusuf, Ms. Nurfida’iy Salahuddin, Mrs. Nuraisyah Mohd Radzi from the University Kebangsaan Malaysia. IRCICA Director General Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren and the delegation discussed the state of research on Islamic history and civilization in Southeast Asia, the contributions of IRCICA in this regard and potential areas of collaboration.

September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 33 IRCICA Publications

RCICA carries out a research program on the earliest Icopies of the Holy Quran that are located in various libraries around the world. The aim is to trace the process of transmission of the Quran starting from the first manuscripts and examine cases and developments relating to aspects such as script, orthography and physical composition, among others, with reference to historical periods and geographical locations. In this context IRCICA published seven studies until the present, relating to: the copies attributed to the time of the Third Caliph, Uthman bin Affan and preserved, respectively, at Topkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul (2007) and at the Central Library of Islamic Manuscripts attached to the Ministry of Awqaf of Egypt in Cairo (2009); the copy attributed to the time of Ali bin Abi Talib and located in the Manuscripts Library near Sana’a Grand Mosque, Yemen (2011); the copy dated to the period of Uthman bin Affan and preserved at the Islamic Arts Museum in Cairo (2014); the early fragment preserved at the National Library of France, in Paris (2015); the early fragment preserved at the Library of the University of Tübingen in Germany (2016). The present book represents the culmination of the rich findings and experiences accumulated throughout the above work. It synthesizes the observations and comparisons made in the study of earliest copies of the Quran and presents them in a concise and instructive format, as the book’s section of vowel signs, reading signs and punctuation signs to the titles indicate: the Introduction underlines the importance Quranic text and many other subjects. Section 3 outlines the of the comprehensive field of research related to copies of the works and contributions of Orientalists in Quranic studies and Quran and evokes efforts made in this field in the Muslim collection of Quran copies. Section 4 examines the copies that world and in Europe. Section 1 is on the origins and history are attributed to the period of Uthman bin Affan and Section of development of the Arabic language and the Arabic script. 5, those attributed to the period of Ali bin Abi Talib. Section Section 2 is a comprehensive history of the earliest copies, 6 outlines the findings of detailed studies conducted within including the processes of compilation of the Quran in book the framework of IRCICA’s project on the copies located at form between two covers, the “Rasm al-Uthmani”, i.e. the script the National Library of France, the Islamic Arts Museum in and orthography of the copies made under the supervision of Cairo and the library of Tübingen University, Germany. The Caliph Uthman bin Affan and the different scholarly opinions book was authored by Dr. Tayyar Altıkulaç, an authoritative about the necessity of conformity with it, the assignment scholar in Quranic studies and former President of Religious Affairs in Turkey.

34 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 September-December 2016, No: 101 Newsletter 35 36 Newsletter September-December 2016, No: 101 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON OMAN IN OTTOMAN DOCUMENTS (5-6 October 2012)

Edited by : Assoc. Prof. Halit Eren, Director General of IRCICA, Prepared for Publication by: Prof. Cengiz Tomar, Prof. Sadık Ünay, IRCICA, Istanbul, 2016

his book comprises the proceedings Tof the International Congress jointly organized by IRCICA and the Directorate of National Archives of Oman on 5-6 October 2012 and includes presentations by renowned experts on Ottoman-Oman relations both in Turkish and Arabic. Prof. İdris Bostan from the History Department of İstanbul University in Turkey contributed to the book with an article on “Hurmuz and Muscat Wars in the Oman Sea as Turning Points in Ottoman- Portugese Competition”. Director General of the Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives, Dr. Önder Bayır contributed with an article on the “Importance of Ottoman Archives in terms of Research on Oman History”. Prof. Mustafa Lütfü Bilge contributed with an article on “Ottoman- Oman Relations in the 19th Century”. As far as the contributions in Arabic are concerned, Saied Bin Mohamed Al- Hashmi contributed to the book with an article on “Ottomans in Masqat:1551 - 1581” (with historical photographs on Omani-Ottoman Relations). Dr. Nahed Role of Ottoman Archives in Revealing Abdul-Karim contributed with an article Omani-Ottoman Relations”. This book on the “Strategic Importance of Omani- which comprises the proceedings of the Ottoman Relations: From the Rise of Al- congress organized by IRCICA and the Bo Saied State in 1744 to the death of Al- National Archives of Oman constitutes a Sayed Saied Bin Sultan in 1856”. Finally, crucial reference source for scholars and Turkeya Bint Hamad Bin Hamod Al- researchers focusing on the historical Farsi contributed with an article on “The evolution of Omani-Ottoman relations.