Doha:The fifth edition of Qatar's annual Season of Seminars has been inaugurated by HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani. The event gathers researchers, academics, diplomats, and cultural figures to discuss contemporary intellectual and political matters.
According to Qatar News Agency, the seminars are organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and Lusail University. This initiative is part of Qatar's broader effort to enhance cooperation among cultural institutions, universities, and research centers.
The opening session included an extensive discussion with Arab intellectual Dr. Azmi Bishara, who is the director general of the Arab Center and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Moderated by writer and broadcaster Jassim Salman, the session addressed identity and state questions in Arab societies, political and intellectual developments in the West and Israel, and their implications for the Palestinian issue.
Dr. Bishara emphasized Qatar's investment in culture and knowledge, which has led to the establishment of significant institutions and projects. He highlighted the Arab Center as a platform drawing scholars globally and mentioned initiatives like the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language and the Arabic Encyclopedia, aiming to develop knowledge from an Arab perspective.
He also discussed his research on identity, which is rooted in the Arab context, leading to his book "The Question of Identity." Bishara stressed the importance of Arab intellectual contributions engaging with global scholarship on equal terms.
The discussion delved into Western scholarly debates on the formation of Arab states, particularly the distinctions between those with regional cores and those with colonial-determined borders. Dr. Bishara detailed the Arab Center's commitment to rigorous research standards, noting that only 30% of submissions are published after a thorough review process. This approach has facilitated the center's participation in international academic exchanges and the translation of its research into other languages.
The center publishes five academic journals, an annual book, and organizes various conferences, including one focused on Arab doctoral students at Western universities. The session also explored the impact of Arabic knowledge production on artificial intelligence, with Bishara noting that the Arabic Encyclopedia could enhance the quality of AI responses by providing academically reliable sources.
HE Sheikh Abdulrahman and Dr. Bishara discussed the interplay between identity, political change, and the future of the Palestinian issue, considering whether a blend of national identity, intellectual openness, and pragmatism might influence young Arabs in both Arab and Western societies.
The conversation also covered political and ideological shifts in Israel, their implications for Palestinian politics, the future of Gaza, and the importance of Palestinian unity and a clear political strategy. Other topics included Israeli military actions and efforts to expand regional influence, alongside broader discussions on Middle Eastern developments and security.
