International Conference on the Universality of the Qur’anic Message: Its Dimensions and Manifestations in Contemporary Human Thought

May God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

The International Institute for Quranic Studies is pleased to announce the organization of the first international conference entitled: ” The universality of the Qur’anic message: its dimensions and manifestations in contemporary human thought “

We invite researchers and specialists in Quranic studies to send their research papers to participate in this distinguished scientific event, which will be organized this year, with the announcement of the dates and place where the conference will be held soon.

The themes of the conference:

The administrative committee of the institute that oversees the conference will evaluate the research document based on the value of its contribution (regardless of the chosen topic), and then prioritize papers that address topics related to the universality of the Qur’anic message and the role of the Qur’anic text as a comprehensive divine guidance for humanity. This includes:

1. The Qur’anic text as a human value system: its role in building just and balanced societies.
2. Inheritance in the light of the Qur’an: Addressing the issues of inheritance and its value as part of the social order.
3. The concepts of Islam, faith, disbelief and polytheism: Analyzing these concepts from a Qur’anic perspective as pillars of a global system aimed at achieving peace and security for humanity.

4. The Qur’anic guidance: its dimensions and impact on human thought and contemporary challenges. Why is the Qur’an a guide for people and the Book a guide for the pious? Does this mean that the pious are not guided so that the Qur’an can be a guide for them? Thus, what is the concept of guidance and guidance in the Qur’an?
5. Functional characters: The importance of defining the rules of what are traditionally called pronouns and superfluous letters. Functional characters in the Qur’anic text are considered structural tools that contribute to determining the semantic and syntactic relationships between words and sentences(especially the letters “ba,” “wow,” and “l” as well as “in, on, and about.”) The study of these characters and their functions is an essential step in understanding the Qur’anic text. Therefore, the study of these characters and their functions is an essential step in understanding the Qur’anic text in depth and going beyond traditional concepts that may have reduced them to limited frameworks.

Research in this area requires reconsidering traditional notions of so-called “superfluous letters” that are often perceived as not adding meaning to the text. It is necessary to replace this perception with an analytical approach that highlights the real functions of these letters, whether semantic, emphatic, or organizational, to show how they contribute to the construction of the overall meaning of the text.

6. Passive voice: The Qur’anic style based on the passive voice is one of the distinctive aspects of the Qur’anic text. Research on this aspect of Qur’anic style requires a rigorous scientific methodology that highlights the relationship between the passive voice and the context of the verses that contain it. The research should also include an analysis of the different contexts of the use of this technique and link it to the overall purposes of the Quranic text, including semantic, rhetorical, and exegetical aspects.

7. The plural form in the Qur’an: Does the use of the plural form in the Qur’an, such as verbs ending in na in the first person, indicate the plural of greatness, as some traditional interpretations suggest, or does it have a deeper meaning related to the Qur’anic context. For example:

• “How many villages did we destroy when our misfortune came upon them in the night or while they were awake ?“ (Al-A’raf, p.4): 4-5)
• “When we wanted to destroy a village, we commanded its leaders, and they became corrupt therein, so the word came upon them, and we destroyed them.“ (Al-Israa: 16.)
• “We sent Noah to his people“ (Noah: 1)
• How can this formulation be understood in light of the different contexts within the Qur’anic text? Does it reflect a plurality of agency associated with the execution of divine commands, or does it highlight another aspect that requires deeper exploration?

8. Does the teachings of the Qur’an have a tangible impact in this life on the ethics and behavior of individuals and their eagerness to fulfill their responsibilities, whether they are doctors, lawyers, judges, teachers, craftsmen or workers? Do the teachings of the Qur’an influence work ethics and commitment to duties? Does adherence to the teachings of the Qur’an bear fruit in this life to achieve a good and decent life, or are the fruits limited only to the reward in the afterlife? What is the Qur’an’s philosophy and approach to this issue?

For example, Almighty God:

Whoever does good deeds, male or female, while he is a believer, let him live a good life.“ (Al-Nahl: 97) This verse refers to the impact of good deeds on human life on earth.

“Weigh yourselves in the balance and do not lose the balance“ (Rahman: 9), which emphasizes the importance of justice in daily actions and transactions.

Say:“ Do your work, and Allah will see your work and His Messenger and the believers“ (Al-Tawba: 105), which emphasizes the value of work in Islam and its connection to responsibility before God and society.

How can these texts be understood within the Qur’an’s vision of the relationship between adherence to its teachings and the consequences of this commitment in this life and the hereafter? Do Qur’anic teachings contribute to achieving a balance between the requirements of this life and the goals of the hereafter?

Research paper submission requirements:

1. Scientific originality: The paper must be original and not previously published.
2. Adherence to the themes: It is preferred that papers are directly related to the conference themes and main title, although the paper will be evaluated based on the value of its contribution (regardless of the chosen theme).
3. The submitted research must be based on the structure of the Qur’anic text itself, based on its internal structure and semantic system, without being conditioned or guided by the inherited interpretive or doctrinal heritage. The research must be characterized by methodological rigor and scientific accuracy.
4. Submit an abstract: Submit an abstract (1000-1500 words) that includes the research objectives, methodology, and key findings.
5. Research volume: The number of words should be between 5 ,000 and 20,000 words, to ensure a full academic level of depth and comprehensiveness.
6. Language of the conference: Papers will be presented in Arabic, English or French.
7. Deadline for submission of abstracts and papers:September 30 ,2025 –

Writing Style Guide for Scientific Papers

. Formatting texts

• Font type: Traditional Arabic or Simplified Arabic is recommended for academic papers.
• Font size:
  • Headlines: Size 16 bold.
  • Subheadings: Size 14 bold.
  • Search body: Size 14, plain text that is not bold.
  • Margins and footnotes: Size 12.
  • Long quotes (more than three lines): Size 12, single-spaced, placed inside a quote box or highlighted with a different formatting such as a 1 cm right margin offset.

. Line spacing and margins

• Line spacing: Use 1.5 line spacing in the body of the paper and 1.0 in the margins and footnotes.

• Footnotes:
  • Right of the page: 3 cm.
  • Left of the page: 2.5 cm.
  • Top and bottom of page: 2.5 cm.
• Text direction: Right to left with the text fully aligned (set).

. Use bold, italics, and underlining

• Bold font (Bold):
  • Used for headings and subheadings.
  • It can be used to emphasize important terms within the text, but don’t overdo it.
• Italic font (Italic) or italics in Arabic:
  • Used when inserting non-Arabic words (such as foreign terms).
  • It can be used in book names or titles within the text.
• Underlining (Underlining:)
  • It is not preferred in academic papers, and is replaced by bolding.

. Quotations and documentation

• Short quotations (in-text): Enclosed in quotation marks “…”.
• Long quotations: Separate from the body text with a smaller font size and single spacing.
• Documentation: Chicago or APA style is preferred depending on the requirements of the journal or academic institution.
• Footnotes and footnotes: All references should be indicated either in the footnote or in the reference list according to the established system.

Pagination and headings

• Page numbering: In the lower right corner, using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…).
• Numbering headings:
  • Headline: (1. Headline)
  • Subheadings: (1.1. Subheading I)
  • Secondary Headings: (1.1.1 – First Secondary Heading)

. Tables and figures

• Tables: They should be sequentially numbered (e.g. Table 1, Table 2…) with the title at the top of the table.
• Figures and photos: Centered and numbered below the figure (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2…).
• The source of the table or figure: Immediately below it in a smaller font (size 12).

. List of references and appendices

• References are written according to the established system (APA, Chicago… ) and placed on a separate page at the end of the paper.
• Appendices: Placed after the reference list, numbered and sequential (Appendix 1, Appendix 2…).

. Spelling and punctuation

• Comma (,): Used between short sentences within a paragraph.
• A period (.) is placed at the end of a completed sentence.
• Semicolon (;): Used to separate two sentences that are semantically related.
• Colons (:): Used before an enumeration or illustration.
• Quotation marks (“…”): Used for direct quotes.
• Parentheses (): Used to clarify explanations or references.

Rewards and prizes:

• To incentivize researchers and encourage outstanding research, a financial reward will be given for each paper accepted for participation: $1000. As well as prizes for outstanding research. All travel, accommodation, and subsistence expenses for researchers invited to participate in the conference will be covered.
• Awards for outstanding research:
  1. First prize: 25,000 dollars
  2. Second Prize: $10,000
  3. Third prize: 5000 dollars

Fourth prize: 3000 dollars

How to apply:

Please send abstracts to the following email:
info@ioqs.org

For inquiries, you can contact us via the same mail.

Additional details:

Through this conference, we seek to highlight the universal message of the Holy Quran as a moral and intellectual reference for all humanity. This event represents a distinguished scientific platform that brings together researchers and experts from different countries of the world to discuss ideas and exchange visions that contribute to a deeper understanding of the Quranic text in light of current challenges.

We look forward to your valuable contributions that will contribute to enriching this important academic event, hoping that the conference will be a step towards enhancing intellectual dialogue and building bridges of understanding between peoples and societies.

Sincerely yours.
Administrative Committee
International Institute for Quranic Studies

May God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.