ORGANIZING INSTITUTIONS

Ebu’l-Hasan Harakânî Practice and Research Center at Kafkas University

Faculty of Theology at Kafkas University

 

KAFKASYA’DA İSLAM VE MEDENİYET 

The Caucasus region, situated between Turkey, Russia, Iran, the Caspian Sea, and the Black Sea, serves as a significant cultural, historical, and geostrategic bridge between Asia and Europe. The region is divided into two parts: North and South Caucasus. The North Caucasus includes autonomous republics such as Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and North Ossetia, as well as Chechnya. The South Caucasus encompasses Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

Throughout history, the Caucasus, positioned along migration and trade routes in the east-west and north-south directions, has hosted numerous civilizations such as Urartu, Persia, Rome, Byzantium, Sassanid, Seljuk, and Shirvan shahs. Due to its geostrategic importance, the Caucasus has been a battleground for conflicts between various states, including Rome-Persia, Byzantium-Sassanid, and Ottoman-Russia. Turks, Avars, Lezgians, Chechens, Armenians, Georgians, and Ossetians are among the communities residing in the region. Presently, the majority of Turks living in the region, where Islam and Christianity prevail, as well as the vast majority of the population in North Caucasus, are Muslims. Termed as the "Land of Languages," the Caucasus has fostered cultural richness due to the coexistence of various religious and ethnic elements.

The process of Islamization, beginning with the conquest of South Caucasus by Islamic armies from the 7th century onwards, has left its mark across all aspects of life in the Caucasus region. The contribution of Islam to the cultural mosaic of the region has continued to grow over historical periods. In different periods of history, Caucasus has been the arena for various power struggles and influences, with local Christian kingdoms in the 11th to 16th centuries, the Ottoman Empire in the 16th to 19th centuries, Russia in the 19th to 20th centuries, and partially the United States in the 21st century exerting their influence.The political struggles experienced and the cosmopolitan structure of the Caucasus have led to sectarian divisions among the people, with the population being divided into Gregorian, Orthodox, Sunni, and Shia communities. However, the "Caucasian" culture, emerging as a manifestation of the geographical impact on people, has also retained its presence.

Under the honorary presidency of Prof. Dr. Hüsnü KAPU, the Rector of Kafkas University, the symposium will encompass topics including the spread of Islam in the Caucasus, Islamic sciences and disciplines, Islam and social life, Islam and architecture, religious groups and Islamic movements, religious, political, and cultural interactions, culture of coexistence, and Muslim communities. In line with the vision of the Republic of Turkey in the 21st century, the aim is to thoroughly examine the topic of Islam and Civilization in the Caucasus, which is directly related to "cultural geographies," and transform it into a knowledge feast.