The Secretary General of Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA), Dr. Nazir Ayyad, participated in the training course activities organized by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina for a number of researchers, entitled “Authenticating the Texts of Philosophy and Islamic Theology."
“In the remote past, the Arabs knew the science of book authenticating; however, it was not used until the 15th century AD. The Arabs used to edit, revise, and compare the copies of a book with each other. This science is considered as a gate through which we can open up to different cultures and civilizations,” said Ayyad, during his lecture, entitled “The Importance of the Scientific Authentication of Theology Books.”
Ayyad added that theology is considered one of the fundamental disciplines of sharia, as it plays a prominent role in religion. Al-Farabi defined theology as a talent that can support the opinions and actions that Allah stated and refute what contradicts them.
Finally, Ayyad showed the importance of authenticating and republishing Islamic heritage texts, as this work can be the basis for a new theology.