The conference attendees included President of the Board of Trustees of Hoca Ahmet Yesevi University, Prof. Dr. Musa Yildiz, Member of the Board of Trustees of Hoca Ahmet Yesevi University Prof. Dr. Muhittin Şimşek, Deputy Dean of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Faculty of Oriental Studies Dr. Saltanat Jakubayeva, the Head of TURKSOY Department at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Faculty of Oriental Studies Assoc. Dr. Kıdır Torali and Hoca Ahmet Yesevi University Eurasia Research Institute Director Assoc. Dr. Vakur Sümer.
In his speech titled “Science and Technology in Islamic Civilization” Prof. M. Akif Kireçci highlighted the importance of both science and scientific thought in the history of Islam, along with faith. Prof. Kireçci has also underlined the contribution of Muslim Turkish scientists in the fields of medicine, astronomy, engineering and mathematics. He stated that all the books written by these scientists were translated into Latin and taught and used as textbooks in all European universities until the 18th century. Continuing his speech, he touched upon the Roman and Arabic numerals and the importance of the discovery of the concept of ‘zero’. He presented several interesting examples from a wide range of technological fields such as astronomy, robotics, cybernetics, military technologies, water management, time measurement, paper manufacturing in the Islamic civilization. The conference continued with a Q&A and discussion sections, and at the end of the program Hoca Ahmet Yesevi University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız, presented Prof. M. Akif Kireçci a certificate of appreciation.
