The Student Council at the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) in Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), under the aegis of the CIS Research Division, successfully concluded its annual student research conference. The one-day event, which was held on Saturday, April 13, provided students with an opportunity to showcase the breadth of their academic works. 

Posing as a platform for the exchange of ideas and innovative scholarly work, the CIS Student Conference 2019 provided an ideal opportunity for students to formally present their work, engage with the audience, and appropriately respond to counter-arguments, and network with other students from outside their own field. It brought together emerging scholars across interdisciplinary programs within CIS, including Islamic finance, art and architecture, global affairs, and contemporary thought within Islamic studies.

Commenting on the conference, Dr. Emad El-Din Shahin, dean of CIS, said: “The annual CIS Student Conference is a microcosm of the intellectual debate we hope our students would continue to shape upon graduation. The conference is a platform that allows students to think critically, incorporate a broad spectrum of experience and worldview, and investigate a wide variety of subject areas.”

Students submitted their best research pieces forward for consideration, which underwent a selection process by a committee of professors and researchers at the college. Final selections for the conference were based on the originality of their research topic, the clarity of argument, and potential impact of the piece. 

Students from the five concentrations of Islamic Studies put forth thought-provoking concepts either in the form of its analytical approach or its relevance to present-day concerns. Presentations were delivered considering The Master-Disciple Relationship in Buddhism and Islam in Comparative Religions, debating Interreligious Relations in Albania in Islamic Civilizations and Societies, and prompting discussions Towards an Islamic Basis for Veganism in Islamic Thought and Applied Ethics. Additional student talks within Islamic Studies from the perspective of Contemporary Fiqh and Contemporary Qur’anic Studies addressed The Application of ‘Urf in Islamic Law with Regard to Ḥijāb and Michel Quibers’ Methodology in Analyzing the Structure of the Qur’an respectively.

The Master and PhD students from the field of Islamic Finance shared their research on Assessing the Prospects of Islamic Insurance in Ghana and Information and Islamic Finance in the Digital Era.  The Master’s student representing the Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism program delved into a discussion of Islamic Values in Islamic Art, while the same of Islam and Global Affairs shared his research regarding the Impact of Life Coaching on Students’ Wellbeing and Engagement Levels in Qatar. 

Mohamad Alazemi, president of the CIS Student Council, said: “The Student Conference is an initiative driven by the students, for the students. It is a unique opportunity to showcase our work as we continue to develop our thoughts, knowledge base, and research skills, and progress through the program. We have developed an understanding of the topics put forth, and gained confidence in our roles as relevant scholars and global citizens.”

CIS was established to fulfill a mission of promoting a better understanding of Islam and Muslim communities in the context of this region and beyond. The college offers five multidisciplinary degrees, each addressing contemporary Islamic needs and applications. Graduates of the College of Islamic Studies become better equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources to move forward within and across their fields to meaningfully contribute to their communities at-large.

For more information on CIS, please visit cis.hbku.edu.qa.