Qatar National Library organises Arabic Book Discussion ‘Islam between East and West’

25 September 2016
Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, organised its final Arabic book discussion of the season attended by many. The event focused on Ali Izetbegović’s ‘Islam between East and West’, which was translated into Arabic by Mohammed Yousef Adas. QNL organises monthly book discussions as part of its mission to spread knowledge, nurture imagination, cultivate creativity, and preserve the nation’s Heritage for the Future.

The general public, QNL-registered members, students and Qatari reading-lovers attended the gathering at Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Centre within Education City to discuss the book.

During the event, participants discussed the way the author raises Islam, and how he tackles the issues of religion, philosophy, culture, ethics, art, and drama. They also examined the approach adopted by the author, and how consistent it is with the objective at the beginning of the book; "To have a true understanding of the World, we must know the real sources of the ideas that govern this World and know their meanings.”

The book discussion began with a short excerpt read aloud where the author states: “The book is an attempt at the translation of Islam into the language which the new generation speaks and understands.” Other issues discussed at the event included the position of Islam on the conflict between spirituality and the religion, and materialism and the scientific explanation of Qur’anic verses. Ideas were also exchanged by participants about the book’s various topics, especially those centred around religion in general and issues relating to the human origin such as creation versus evolution, and the issues of culture, civilisation, arts, ethic, history and drama.

The book discussion is one of many activities and events organised by QNL, in addition to community events and training sessions on the use of the online resources the library offers free of charge for researchers, students and residents of Qatar.

QNL is currently offering free online access to a vast collection of online resources including the latest bestsellers, classical works, concerts, top academic journals and documentaries. Anyone who lives in Qatar and has a valid Qatari ID/Residence Permit is eligible for free library registration. To register, please visit www.qnl.qa and to access the complete list of online resources, please visit http://www.qnl.qa/find-answers/online-resources .