An international online conference dedicated to the outstanding philosopher and scientist Al-Farabi attracted more than 200 participants from 16 countries

The conference initiated by the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Embassies of Kazakhstan in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia was held on July 21, 2020.

The event brought together scientists and researchers, specialists in philosophy and history of Islamic culture, teachers, students, journalists and public figures.

The conference was opened by Professor Galimkair Mutanov, Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan).
Speakers were also selected from different countries including Professor Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar - Holder, Al-Ghazali Chair of Islamic Thought, ISTAC, International Islamic University (Malaysia), Dr. Tuleubekov Assyl, Associated Professor of the International Information Technology University (Kazakhstan), Dr. Humaidi, M.Ud, Chairman of Association of Lecturer Research on Islamic and Social Science (Indonesia), Dr. Anar Tanabayeva, Director of International Cooperation Department in Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Kazakhstan), Dr. Aizhan Doskozhanova, Assistant-professor in International Information Technology University (Kazakhstan).

The conference participants shared the view of rich heritage of the great philosopher. It was stressed that Al-Farabi’s works became a connecting spiritual bridge between the West and the East.

As an outstanding humanist thinker, he did not only combine the works of the ancient and Islamic worlds, but laid the foundation for some new philosophical and scientific development in Islam. His treatises had a direct impact on the formation of world outlook and the development of science in Europe during the Renaissance.

Such famous European philosophers of the Middle Ages as Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, in their theoretical studies relied on the works of Al-Farabi. Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd promoted the dissemination of the heritage of Al-Farabi and its influence on the entire European culture. Thanks to their work, Roger Bacon, who was fluent in Arabic, as well as Benedict Spinoza, Thomas Hobbes, Rene Descartes and other scholars, were able to learn the teachings of Muslim philosophers. The return of European thinkers to the ideas of Aristotle, Plato and other Greek philosophers through the treatises of Al-Farabi contributed to the emergence of a Renaissance in Europe - the Renaissance.

Therefore, the work of Al-Farabi symbolizes the rapprochement and mutual understanding of the cultures of East and West.