Awantipora: The Islamic University of Science & Technology, Kashmir today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for academic and research collaborations with the University of Islamic Denominations Tehran, Iran. The event started with a distinguished lecture on “Quranic Hermeneutics” which was delivered by Professor Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Rector, University of Islamic Denominations, Tehran, Iran. The lecture was organized by the International Centre for Spiritual Studies (ICSS), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) here today.
Professor Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari delivered an extensive lecture on the science of interpretations and its different modes. He explained Friedrich Schleiermacher’s theory of Hermeneutics in detail and deliberated on the three modes of Hermeneutics: Classic, Romantic and Philosophical. “Most of the thinkers are in agreement with the fact that the ‘text is ambiguous’ and thereby emphasise on tracing the intentions of the author to arrive at a final message of the text.” said, Professor Mokhtari. While elaborating on the methods of Quranic exegesis, ‘the role of Mufasir,’ he added, “is very central as it is the Mufasir who creates the meaning or interpretation by consulting the text directly keeping in view the context and the Quranic tradition. The ‘ambiguity of text’ is rendered invalid in the case of Islamic scriptures”.
The lecture was followed by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Islamic Denominations Tehran, Iran. On the occasion, the MoU was signed by Prof. Mushtaq A. Siddiqi, Vice Chancellor, IUST and Prof. Hossein Mokhtari, the Rector, University of Islamic Denominations (UoID), Tehran, Iran. Professor Mokhtari was accompanied by a galaxy of scholars from Iran which included Dr. Yahya Jahangiri, Vice Rector, UoID, Professor Gholam Reza Raeisian, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran and Dr. Zahrani, Former Deputy of Education Minister of Iran.
“The MoU is going to be a remarkable step towards further expansion, fostering international alliance and outreach for IUST. It will facilitate student and faculty exchange programmes, collaborative research and development of various joint projects” said, Prof. Siddiqi, Vice Chancellor, IUST.
Prof. A. M. Shah, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST, emphasized the need to create worldwide chain of connections between different universities for an enriching academic environment and bright future. The event was attended by the Syed Reyaz Rufai Registrar IUST, Deans, HoDs, faculty members and students from various departments.
