Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Assoc. Dr. Hikmetullah Ertaş took part in the 1st International Islamic Civilization Forum, organized under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as one of only five academicians invited from Türkiye. Assoc. Dr. Ertaş successfully represented BEUN with the paper he presented at the prestigious organization where the international scientific community met.
The forum, organized by the Uzbekistan Center for Islamic Civilization between 7-11 July 2026 in the cities of Tashkent, Samarkand and Termez with the theme "Islamic Civilization: The Path of Peace, Tolerance and Enlightenment", brought together scientists from all over the world on the same platform.
In the opening program of the forum, which started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, the message sent by Uzbekistan President Şevket Mirziyoyev to the participants was read, while the message sent by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the forum was delivered by AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Relations with Turkish States Prof. Dr. Shared by Kürşad Zorlu. While approximately 500 academicians, researchers and experts from 46 countries of the world attended, only five academicians from Türkiye were invited. Assoc. Prof. is among the academicians invited to represent Ankara University, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Marmara University, Bursa Uludağ University and Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. Dr. Hikmetullah Ertaş successfully represented BEUN on the international academic platform.
Assoc. Dr. Ertaş Shared Imam Tirmidhi's Scientific Heritage with the International Academic Community
Speaking at the session titled "Imam Tirmidhi and Tirmidhi Hadith School" held within the scope of the forum, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Assoc. Dr. Hikmetullah Ertaş presented his paper titled "Portrait of a Muhaddis: Imam Tirmidhi (d. 279/892) and His Scientific Heritage".
In his presentation, Ertaş comprehensively evaluated the scientific personality of Imam Tirmidhi, one of the most important figures of hadith science, his works, his unique contributions to hadith methodology and his distinguished position within the tradition of Islamic thought, while also drawing attention to the importance of historical heritage in terms of today's academic activities.
The forum, held at the international level, made significant contributions to the development of new academic collaborations between researchers from different countries, the promotion of joint scientific activities, and the stronger promotion of the understanding of science, wisdom, peace and tolerance of the Islamic civilization on an international scale.
"The International Achievements of Our Academics Carry the Scientific Power of Our University to the World"
Evaluating the issue, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer expressed the following statements:
"It is a great pride and happiness for us that Associate Professor Hikmetullah Karataş represented our University in such an exclusive and prestigious international science organization, where only five academicians from Türkiye were invited. The declaration presented by our professor in this prestigious forum, attended by hundreds of scientists from 46 different countries, reflected our country's understanding of qualified scientific production in the field of higher education in the best way. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we continue our activities based on the universal understanding of science, strengthening international academic collaborations and encouraging scientific productivity. We continue with determination. The successes of our academics in prestigious scientific organizations held in different geographies of the world increase the international visibility and academic prestige of our University day by day. With these feelings and thoughts, I wholeheartedly congratulate our esteemed professor, Assoc. - ZONGULDAK