A two-day international conference on ‘Major trends in rhetorical and stylistic exegesis of Quran’ was held at Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) last week. The conference was organised by department of Arabic Language and Literature. In his key-note address, Prof Abdul Majid Qazi of Arabic Department, Jamia Millia Islamia, gave a detailed presentation of his research paper on ‘Quranic discourse: A Literary, Linguistic and Intellectual Perspective.’
He said before Holy Quran was revealed, the Arabs were an isolated lot of tribes, “living on periphery in their desert, far from the arena of the history.” “It is the Holy Quran that breathed into them the spirit of human instinct,” said Prof Qazi. Speaking on the occasion, Dr S K Anjum, HoD Arabic department of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) said Holy Quran is the highest of all texts and stands much above poetry and prose. “Whenever you listen to the verses of the Holy Quran, you feel mesmerized, especially during Taraweeh prayers,” he said. Vice Chancellor (VC) IUST, Prof Mushtaq A Siddiqi who was chief guest on the occasion said since Holy Quran was revealed in Arabic, there must be something special about the language.
He said it was important for Muslims to learn the Arabic language properly, so as to have a correct interpretation of Holy Quran as well as Islam. “Besides, it can also help us understand each other’s culture and interact with each other in a better way,” he said. Dean, school of humanities and social sciences, Prof Abdul Salam Bhat said Quran has inimitable features and the scholars need to come forward to unfold them.
Dean Academic Affairs IUST, Prof AM Shah said there was a need to address queries of youth regarding Islam in a stylistic manner. HoD Arabic department Dr Abdul Majeed Andrabi presented welcome address and said the purpose of organising the conference was to explore rhetorical and stylistic dimensions of the Holy Quran.