Al-Qasemi Academy hosted the 49th annual conference of the Middle East & Islamic Studies Association (MEISAI), with broad participation from more than one hundred researchers and lecturers representing various universities and academic institutions.

In his opening remarks, Professor Mohammad Amara, President of Al-Qasemi Academy, emphasized that the conference reflects the Academy’s vision of its role as a space for dialogue, knowledge production, and intellectual openness. He stressed that: “This gathering is not merely an academic event; rather, it constitutes a vibrant space where minds come together to understand our shared reality in all its complexities and transformations.”

For his part, Professor Yassin Kitani, Vice President for Graduate Studies, highlighted the importance of Islamic studies today as “a space for understanding, interpretation, and dialogue,” emphasizing the integration of both research and educational training in preparing generations capable of engaging with heritage and addressing contemporary challenges.

Meanwhile, Professor Ronen Yitzhak, President of the MEISAI Association, noted that Middle Eastern studies, the Arabic language, and Islamic culture constitute interconnected fields of knowledge, pointing to the richness and diversity of the conference program.

The conference addressed dozens of academic and intellectual topics, ranging from Islamic history and the Arabic language to social and political transformations, literature, translation, and identity, reaffirming Al-Qasemi Academy’s commitment to supporting scientific research and promoting academic and cultural dialogue.

The conference also included a central plenary session during which the association’s activities were presented, scientific awards were distributed, and a keynote lecture was delivered on transformations of identity in Iran within its contemporary international context.

The conference concluded with field tours across the Academy, including visits to its facilities and the Museum of Islamic Arts, alongside continued research sessions discussing issues related to history and memory, social changes, and international relations in the Middle East.

This conference is considered one of the leading academic events in the field of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies and reflects Al-Qasemi Academy’s ongoing commitment to supporting scientific research and fostering academic and cultural dialogue.