Erol Özvar discusses Islamic civilization in Konya

Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), spoke at the opening of the ‘Classical Thought School Academics Camp 2026’ held in Konya. Özvar emphasized the importance of making the intellectual resources of Islamic civilization accessible to the modern era through translation, research, and evaluation.

He noted that engaging young people with these classical works is a vital sign of the continued vitality of their civilization. Özvar warned that failing to study these sources could lead to a disconnection from historical roots, describing the current academic efforts as evidence that the civilization remains ‘vibrant.’

Addressing the historical trajectory of Islamic intellectual production, Özvar remarked that significant dynamism existed until the 13th century, specifically mentioning the era of Al-Ghazali, before noting a decline in intellectual productivity during the 13th and 14th centuries.