The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand at the Cairo International Book Fair hosted its twelfth cultural seminar, titled “Islamic Philosophy and Contemporary Challenges: Can Islamic Philosophy Offer Viable Solutions to Today’s Problems?” The seminar featured Prof. Mustafa El-Nashar, President of the Egyptian Philosophical Society, and was moderated by Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, Lecturer in Theology and Philosophy at Al-Azhar University.
At the beginning of the seminar, Dr. Mustafa El-Nashar highlighted the significant contributions of Islamic philosophy, particularly in its efforts to harmonize religion and philosophy, affirming that there is no inherent contradiction between the two. He emphasized that Muslim scholars and philosophers actively translated and engaged with the intellectual heritage of other civilizations without hesitation or fear of openness to the “other.” They also addressed the pressing societal issues of their time.
The President of the Egyptian Philosophical Society praised the evolving approach within philosophical disciplines, particularly the shift towards applied or practical philosophy, which moves beyond theoretical abstractions to address real-world concerns. He noted that this approach explores pressing human issues and contemporary challenges through fields such as environmental philosophy, aesthetics and philosophy of art, political philosophy, philosophy of social sciences, and philosophy of coexistence, among others—fields that remain deeply intertwined with human life and reality.
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating in the 56th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, held from January 23 to February 5, 2025, with a dedicated stand showcasing a wide range of the Council’s featured publications. Additionally, the stand is hosting a series of seminars, activities, and events aimed at promoting the values of goodness, love, peace, and mutual coexistence among all people.
The Muslim Council of Elders’ stand is located next to Al-Azhar’s stand, in Heritage Hall No. (4) at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo’s Fifth Settlement.