The Shari‘ah Academy of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) organized a thought-
provoking roundtable discussion on the topic “Studying Islam in the Contemporary Context.” The
session featured distinguished guest speaker Mr. Amir Abu Ghuddah from the Centre for Islamic
Knowledge, Canada.
Amir Abu Ghuddah, a grandson of the eminent scholar of the Muslim world, Shaykh Abd al-Fattah Abu
Ghuddah, brought deep insight and scholarly engagement to the event. Drawing from his academic and
field experience, he highlighted critical themes related to the evolving study of Islam in modern times.
Amir Abu Guddah particularly addressed the contextual framework of Orientalist scholarship and
emphasized the widening gap between traditional Islamic approaches and the demands of
contemporary knowledge and technology.
The session was attended by faculty members, researchers, and postgraduate students, making it a
vibrant platform for dialogue and reflection. Amir Abu Ghuddah’s presentation opened new avenues of
understanding for those seeking to bridge the classical Islamic tradition with present-day realities.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram, Director General Shari‘ah Academy, also offered remarks on the theme
and moderated the discussion. Participants actively engaged in the dialogue, contributing diverse
perspectives and raising important questions about the future direction of Islamic scholarship.
The roundtable was appreciated as a valuable academic initiative, fostering meaningful discussion on
the relevance and challenges of studying Islam in today’s global context.