ECO Cultural Institute in cooperation with Allameh Tabatabai University held the International Conference on the Recognition of Avicenna Heritage on Monday, August 23, 2021 on the occasion of the legendary Iranian polymath’s birth anniversary and National Doctors` Day.
According to the ECO Cultural Institute, in order to safeguard the scientific position of Avicenna (Abu Ali Sina), ECO Cultural Institute in cooperation with Allameh Tabatabai University held the International Conference on the Recognition of Avicenna Heritage as a virtual event on Monday, August 23, 2021 with the presence of officials, thinkers and university professors
The event is a follow-up to a series of commemoration programs held by ECO Cultural Institute to commemorate the dignitaries of the ECO region.
After the conference opening remarks made by H.E. Mr. Sarvar Bakhti, President of ECO Cultural Institute, H.E. Dr. Nizomiddin Zohidi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan; and H.E. Mr. Bakhodir Abdullaev Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Dr. Mohammad-Reza Asadi and Dr. Ismail Shams, Professors of Allameh Tabataba'i University, Dr. Ahmad Ghani Khosrawi, Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Herat University, Afghanistan, Dr. Akbar Orvati Movaffagh, Professor of Avicenna University in Hamadan, Dr. Nuriddin Shahobiddinov, a philosopher from Tajikistan, and Mr. Fakhroddin Ebrahimov, a researcher from Uzbekistan made their speeches and discussed the life and thought of Avicenna, one of the most influential intellectuals in the history of knowledge, wisdom, and culture of the ECO civilization.
At the opening of the event, Sarvar Bakhti, President of ECO Cultural Institute; focused on the thoughts and philosophical foundations and scientific position of Avicenna in medical history, saying: "His valuable works have covered all aspects of science and have played a valuable role in the development of medicine".
Dr. Nizomiddin Zohidi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan, emphasized on the importance of recognizing Avicenna`s knowledge and viewed the name of Avicenna and his scientific, philosophical and literary heritage as a proof of the spiritual and cultural merit of the people in the region. He went on to give a comprehensive introduction to Avicenna studies in Tajikistan.
Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Bakhodir Abdullaev, also expressed satisfaction with the meeting, saying: "In Uzbekistan, which is the birthplace of Avicenna, he is recognized as a valuable representative of the first renaissance of our vast region. It requires close scientific collaboration to explore and understand Avicenna`s heritage".
Dr. Mohammad Reza Asadi, Professor of Allameh Tabatabai University, called Avicenna a link between countries with common culture and emphasized: "Avicenna cannot be analyzed only through historiography of power; rather, one must use interdisciplinary studies and explore his historical view from the heart of his medical, philosophical, and musical works."
Dr. Ahmad Ghani Khosrawi, Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Herat University, Afghanistan, also spoke about the important role of Avicenna in the history of Islamic philosophy and world thought, and acknowledged that he was the first to be able to understand all components of wisdom.
Another speaker, Dr. Akbar Orvati Movaffagh, Professor of Avicenna University in Hamadan, in his speech referred to the works and principles approved in Avicenna`s philosophical system, and the relationship between morality and happiness from Avicenna`s point of view and said: "In shaping Avicenna`s moral system, prophecy and resurrection plays a fundamental role and in his moral system pleasure is closely connected with happiness." In his remarks, Dr. Ismail Shams, Professor of Allameh Tabatabai University, made a cultural analysis of Avicenna`s philosophical reflections, in two areas "Avicenna`s philosophical confrontation with philosophy" and "Philosophy as culture".
Dr. Nuriddin Shahobiddinov, philosopher from Tajikistan, also spoke about the origins of Avicenna`s philosophy. Ontology, Existence, The issue of Nature, Universal Metaphysics, and Greek Philosophy were among the key points discussed in his speech.
At the end, Mr. Fakhroddin Ebrahimov, a researcher of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, introduced the history of compiling abridgement and rules in Eastern medical sciences.
Also during the event several clips about Avicenna`s life prepared by artists from Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan were displayed.