Scholars gather for Quran-based human development forum

MUSCAT: The third scientific symposium titled 'The Quran and Human Development', opened in Muscat on Monday. The event brought together leading scholars, thinkers, and researchers from within the Sultanate of Oman and abroad to examine the Quran’s role in shaping values, responsibility and national belonging.
Held at Sultan Qaboos University under the auspices of Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, the two-day symposium is organised by the Imam Jabir bin Zaid Waqf Foundation.
The event reflects a broader intellectual engagement with the Quran as a guiding framework for human development, ethical conduct and societal progress.
The symposium set a reflective and scholarly tone. In a keynote message delivered on behalf of His Eminence Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamed al Khalili, Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, the Quran was described as a transformative source of guidance that illuminates human understanding, guiding people 'from darkness into light.' The message underscored the Quran’s comprehensive role as a reference point for life and its continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges.
Speakers at the opening ceremony reinforced this perspective, presenting the Quran as a timeless foundation for ethics, identity, and collective development. The discussions highlighted its role not only as a spiritual guide but also as a framework for intellectual and social balance across generations.

Shaikh Khalil bin Ahmed al Khalili, Chairman of the Foundation, stressed the importance of moving beyond theoretical reflection to practical application.
He noted that the development of a balanced human being — intellectually, socially and ethically — depends on embedding Quranic principles into everyday life, including family structures and public systems, in alignment with Oman’s vision of a values-driven society.
The main session featured contributions from Dr Shaikh Kahlan bin Nabhan al Kharousi, Assistant Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, Shaikh Abouzaid El Idrissi, and Palestinian media figure Wadah Khanfar. Discussions centred on restoring the Quran’s central role in shaping human thought while maintaining a balance between scientific advancement and moral responsibility.
Dr Shaikh Kahlan highlighted contemporary challenges such as the commodification of human identity and an overreliance on purely material interpretations of science, emphasising the need for ethical grounding in knowledge systems.
Shaikh Abouzaid El Idrissi called for strengthening the connection of younger generations, particularly Generation Z, with Quranic teachings to foster unity, awareness and critical thinking. Wadah Khanfar, meanwhile, discussed the application of Quranic values in politics and media, warning against systems that overlook human dignity.
The symposium also included three panel discussions under the theme 'The Centrality of the Quran in Knowledge and Humanity.' The first was presented by Dr Shaikh Kahlan bin Nabhan al Kharousi. The second, moderated by Dr Salim bin Said al Harithy, featured Dr Abdulrahman bin Dhakir al Hashimi, and Dr Hilal bin Hassan al Lawati, focusing on applied intellectual and social perspectives.
The third session examined professional approaches to political thought and governance within an ethical framework. It included Wadah Khanfar and Shaikh Aflah bin Ahmed al Khalili, and was chaired by Dr Ali bin Suleiman al Jahdhami, exploring how Quranic principles can inform contemporary political understanding and decision-making.
The symposium concludes today, marking the end of two days of discussions that emphasised the Quran as a foundational reference for human development, knowledge advancement and societal balance.