International Symposium on Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas

For almost half a century now, Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas (b. 1931) has been addressing the various fundamental challenges faced by the contemporary Muslim world by ascertaining their internal and external root causes and offering compelling theoretical analysis, explanation and practical solutions.

While some scholars and writers have duly recognized Al-Attas’ pioneering contributions in contemporary Islamic thought, more efforts need to be done to properly study their various theoretical, comparative and practical aspects. This is especially important during this challenging time not only for the intrinsic values of serious intellectual development but also for their possible abilities to address the rising tide of inert conservatism, dangerous religious and secular extremism and radicalism of many kinds.

This inaugural international symposium seeks to analyse al-Attas’ thought and contributions as one of the key activities of the recently established Distinguished Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas Chair of Islamic Thought at the Raja Zarith Sofiah Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation (RZS-CASIS). By convening a group of international credible scholars to share their deliberations and reflectionS.

This symposium seeks to accomplish the following objectives:

1. To study and analyze Al-Attas’ important insights and ideas on Islamic thought and civilization and his methodology;

2. To examine al-Attas’ diagnosis of the root causes of contemporary challenges facing the Muslim world and his proposal for reform;

3. To shed light on the areas that require further investigation based on Al-Attas’ corpus in various aspects of Islamic thought and civilization,

4. To create a platform for meaningful dialogues between Muslims of different religious and intellectual perspectives, and between Muslim and non-Muslim religious, intellectual and professional leaders.

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