The Different Aspects of Islamic Culture
A unique contribution to a better knowledge of Islamic civilization
Since
its creation, UNESCO has been highlighting the intellectual solidarity
of humankind, the importance of knowledge and the value of diversity to
build mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue.
“The Different Aspects of Islamic Culture”
is part of UNESCO’s Histories flagship project. This work has been
achieved with financial and logistical support from the World Islamic
Call Society (WICS) of Libya. It is a collection of six thematic volumes
that gathers the contributions of around 150 scholars, Muslims and
non-Muslims, from all over the world. It reflects profound academic
exchanges among members of the Scientific Committee of the project,
editors and authors, in order to present a comprehensive historical and
geographical overview of Islamic culture.
Its scope is broad and sets out to acquaint the
widest possible readership with various facets of this living culture.
It documents the theological foundations of Islam, the status of the
individual and society in the Islamic world, the expansion of Islam, its
fundamental contribution to education, science and technology and the
contributions of Islamic civilization to literature, philosophy, art and
architecture.
These volumes show how, over centuries, Islam has
been a driving force in the rapprochement of cultures, and has provided a
framework within which diverse cultures could flourish and interact.
Read the volumes:
- Volume I, The Foundations of Islam,
discusses the pillars of faith and the foundations on which Islam
rests. It explores the ideas and ideals of Islam, which have shaped the
Muslim vision over the centuries and given meaning, purpose and
direction to Muslims’ lives.
Available in English - Volume II, The Status of the Individual and Society in Islam,
responds to the challenges caused by the encounter of tradition and
modernity at the heart of Islamic societies and provides historic facts
to show the rules and reciprocal relationship between the individual and
society in Islamic culture.
Available in English | Arabic | French (not accessible online) - Volume III, The Spread of Islam throughout the World,
analyses the spread of Islam and shows both its diversity and
universality as well as the way Islam has ‘apprehended’ the world.
Available in English - Volume IV, (Parts 1 & 2) Science and Technology in Islam,
explores the important contribution of Islamic civilization to the
scientific and technological fields. This volume shows how different
sciences, whether received from the pre-Islamic world or developed
during the Islamic era, have been enrichened and transmitted to other
cultures and people by Muslim scientists. It also provides a
comprehensive index of the scientific advances they achieved.
Available in English - Volume V, Culture and Learning in Islam, studies the educational and cultural environments of Islamic civilization and casts light on some of the manifestations of Islam in the spheres of language and literature, philosophy and mysticism, human sciences and art. Available in English
- Volume VI, Islam in the World Today,
sheds light on the dynamics and practices of Muslim communities in
contemporary societies across the world, by providing a rigorous
analysis of their economic, political, socio-cultural and educational
characteristics.
- Part 1: Retrospective of the evolution of Islam and Muslims: the satio-temporal framework
Available in English
- Part 2: Islam and Muslims world today. Available in English
See also:
- Complete bibliography of the volumes
- Abdelwahab Bouhdiba: Islam must meet the challenges of the day
Abdelwahab Bouhdiba is co-editor of Volume VI of the Collection,
and author of the introduction
A tool for intercultural and interreligious dialogue
Launched
by UNESCO in 1977, this collection is the result of work undertaken
over 40 years under the supervision of a scientific committee and the
guidance of the pluralistic perspective defined for UNESCO’s General and
Regional Histories (History of Humanity, General History of Africa,
General History of Caribbean, General History of Latin America and
History of Civilizations of Central Asia).
It provides unique knowledge of the creative
diversity and complexity of Islamic culture and highlights its
fundamental contribution to the progress of humanity. As such, it
constitutes a relevant tool to encourage and facilitate intercultural
and interreligious dialogue. By bringing together diverse academic views
on Islamic culture, it strongly contributes to the global debate on
Islam and challenges many of the prejudices and misinterpretations.
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