Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hikmetullah Ertaş, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN), took part in the 1st International Forum on Islamic Civilization, held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as one of only five academics invited from Türkiye. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ertaş successfully represented BEUN at the prestigious organization, where the international academic community came together, with the paper he presented.
Organized by the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan from 7–11 July 2026 in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Termez under the theme “Islamic Civilization: The Path of Peace, Tolerance, and Enlightenment,” the forum brought together scholars from around the world on the same platform.
The Common Scholarly Heritage of Islamic Civilization Discussed on an International Platform
The opening program of the forum began with a recitation of the Holy Quran. During the program, a message sent by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the participants was read, while a message sent to the forum by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was shared by Prof. Dr. Kürşad Zorlu, Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Head of Foreign Relations with Turkic States. Approximately 500 academics, researchers, and experts from 46 countries around the world participated in the forum, while only five academics from Türkiye were invited. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hikmetullah Ertaş was among the invited academics representing Ankara University, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Marmara University, Bursa Uludağ University, and Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, and successfully represented BEUN on the international academic platform.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ertaş Shared the Scholarly Legacy of Imam al-Tirmidhi with the International Academic Community
Speaking at the session titled “Imam al-Tirmidhi and the Hadith School of Termez” held as part of the forum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hikmetullah Ertaş, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Theology, presented his paper titled “The Portrait of a Hadith Scholar: Imam al-Tirmidhi (d. 279/892) and His Scholarly Legacy.”
In his presentation, Ertaş comprehensively evaluated the scholarly personality of Imam al-Tirmidhi, one of the most important figures in the science of hadith, his works, his original contributions to hadith methodology, and his distinguished position within the Islamic intellectual tradition. He also drew attention to the significance of this historical heritage for contemporary academic studies.
The internationally held forum made significant contributions to developing new academic collaborations among researchers from different countries, encouraging joint scientific studies, and promoting the understanding of Islamic civilization based on knowledge, wisdom, peace, and tolerance more strongly at the international level.
Rector Özölçer: “The International Achievements of Our Academics Carry Our University’s Scientific Strength to the World”
Commenting on the event, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer said:
“It is a great source of pride and happiness for us that our esteemed academic, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hikmetullah Karataş, represented our University at such an distinguished and prestigious international scientific organization, to which only five academics from Türkiye were invited. The paper presented by our academic at this prestigious forum, attended by hundreds of scholars from 46 different countries, best reflected our country’s understanding of qualified scientific production in the field of higher education. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we continue our efforts with determination, based on a universal understanding of science, strengthening international academic collaborations, and encouraging scientific productivity. The achievements of our academics at respected scientific organizations held in different parts of the world further increase our University’s international visibility and academic reputation with each passing day.
With these feelings and thoughts, I sincerely congratulate our esteemed academic, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hikmetullah Ertaş, who successfully represented our University in the international scientific community, and wish him continued outstanding success in his work.”
