In the Name of the Most High

The transformation of the humanities has always been one of the major demands of professors and students of the country during the last 35 years, and it was heavily emphasized principles credited to Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Of course, there are three major approaches in this field. The first approach recognizes the commonly known Humanities as an inevitable trend. Albeit, in the most optimistic way, the evolution of the humanities is regarded as an apparent change in academic texts and topics to fix some apparent contradictions between the teachings of Islam and Western or secular theories. The second approach strongly emphasizes the exclusion of common humanities and even rejecting common methodologies and accommodating changes in the humanities as an alternative to traditional Islamic teaching humanities.

In the meantime, there is a third balanced approach to the issue of development in the humanities which potentially far from any extremes, and look balanced. According to this approach, Humanities and classification should be reviewed according to Islamic worldview

Certainly, in such a revision, in addition to the change in philosophy, humanities and consequently, philosophy of science (Consolidated philosophy), changes should be made in the status and function of common approaches through presenting new methodologies.

The third balanced approach also appreciate the positive aspects of eclecticism and outstanding qualities of common Humanities. More than anything, the production and establishment of the foundations relating to modern scientific thought and theory based on religious principles should be realized with special focus on local requirements characterizing Islamic world view. Over the past years the first approach had been dominated almost over other approaches. Hence, this has led to measures taken not only enough convincing in the field of humanities but also they seem to strengthen the latter approach. However, it is the third approach that first passed the stage of slogans and experience and proved to be  acceptable in practice (at home and abroad).  Secondly, Issues relating to transparency, pragmatism and most importantly further affinity with Islamic teachings have been reviewed to trigger deep exploring, making the needed ground and thereby altering to a basic theory on the subject of evolution within humanities.

On the other hand we are witnessing a transformation in the humanities deal with the mentioned issue which could go either way by a number of professors and experts who believe in the necessity of change though conservative to replace Islamic prefix with commonly used humanities. The third approach don’t hesitate to use Islamic humanities title while trying to avoid the extremes in this area and uses this prefix as true manifestation of Islamic humanities in order to show the door to a transformation in the humanities to flourish.

Another point is that, contrary to the view that Islam is only a source of origins of Iran’s humanities, the balanced approach of Islamic humanities has attracted many fans in the world.

Today we see a large number of professors and scholars of the Islamic world who realize the ineffectiveness of Humanities in attracting Muslim societies, thereby, there is a need to revolutionize Islamic humanities with emphasis on achieving a balanced approach and progress on the road to a basic theory in this area. It is noteworthy that these scholars and scientists of the Islamic world have taken valuable steps to let their dream come true. The remaining category include the industrious and determined non -Muslim scholars making serious efforts in the evolutions of humanities with special focus on removing western secularism from the building blocks of humanities, to the extent that some of these thinkers /intellectuals highlight the necessity to remove western or secular notions of the humanities through the establishment of entirely new materials based on an innate worldview. Therefore, it is a must to create a fertile ground for the introduction of precise balanced approach, as well as synergy between Iranian and foreign Muslim scholars in a collective critique of theories pertinent to western humanities and social sciences. Undoubtedly such a trend paves the way in achieving the theoretical base unique to the Islamic humanities.

We need to carry out a serious and non-formal congress to start the big move to be considered as an significant and valuable step in this regard.