The Damascus Waqf Directorate launched, on Tuesday, a series of intellectual and scientific lectures titled "The Great Figures of the Nation" at Al-Iman Mosque in the Al-Mazraa district of Damascus, with the attendance of Sheikh Muhammad Naim Arqousi, a member of the Higher Council of Fatwa. This initiative comes as part of a bi-monthly program organized by the Directorate, aiming to consolidate the concept of role models and highlight intellectual figures. The program relies on hosting prominent scholars of the Levant in each lecture to provide rigorous readings covering the legacy and biography of each scholar.
Focus on Ibn Taymiyyah's Methodology
The first lecture, dedicated to the biography and thought of Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, focused on his jurisprudential and doctrinal methodology within its scientific and moderate context. The lecture highlighted that this methodology is based on legal evidence and considers public interest in its fatwas, while emphasizing respect for diversity in ijtihad and rejecting fanaticism and division. Participants included Dr. Osama Al-Othman, Sheikh Sulaiman Al-Harsh, Sheikh Abdul Hadi Al-Bustani, and Dr. Muhammad Badi' Musa.
Program Objectives and Vision
Thaer Hnanou, head of the Mosques Affairs Department at the Damascus Waqf Directorate, emphasized that the Directorate is determined to launch this series to introduce people in detail to their imams and role models, within its vision of spreading knowledge and achieving unity of speech and hearts. He noted that the second lecture will be held in two weeks under the title "Sheikh al-Islam, the Scholar and Hafez Abu Zakariya Al-Nawawi" on Tuesday, 16 Jumada al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to October 27, 2026, after the Isha prayer at Al-Iman Mosque in Damascus.
Strengthening Identity and Moderation
For his part, Sheikh Abdul Rahim Yousifan, who moderated the lecture, clarified that the primary goal of these seminars is to spread accurate information and a sound scientific methodology based on respecting and honoring scholars, thereby reviving the spirit of emulation and ambition in today's generation. He pointed out that the events aim to eliminate causes of division and disagreement by highlighting the moderate heritage that the Levant has historically been distinguished by, and by affirming the unity of the general methodology among the scholars of the nation, despite the diversity of their ijtihad.
Sheikh Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn Abdul Halim ibn Taymiyyah (661–728 AH / 1263–1328 CE) is considered one of the most prominent figures of thought and jurisprudence in the history of Damascus and the Levant during the Mamluk era, leaving a vast intellectual legacy encompassing various legal and linguistic sciences. The Ministry of Waqf launched the "Unity of Islamic Discourse" pact on February 16 last year, aiming to unify their stance on general religious issues and consolidate values of moderation and social cohesion.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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