02/07/2026 09:00 - 11:10

HALL: Pola - A206b

Contact: Sayilgan Z.

Chair: Sayilgan Z.

This panel brings together scholars of Islamic theology, ethics, and social thought to explore how constructive Muslim theologies can respond meaningfully to some of the most pressing global challenges of the twenty-first century. At a time marked by overlapping crises—social fragmentation and loneliness, climate degradation, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, mass displacement and migration, and the dominance of consumerist and materialist paradigms—Muslim theological traditions are being called upon not merely to react defensively, but to articulate forward-looking, ethically grounded, and socially engaged visions of human flourishing. The panel situates Islamic theology as a living, interpretive enterprise capable of generating normative guidance, moral imagination, and public discourse that speaks to global concerns beyond confessional boundaries.


By "constructive Muslim theologies," the panel refers to theological approaches that critically engage classical Islamic sources (the Qur'an, Hadith, jurisprudence, and philosophical theology) while also incorporating insights from contemporary humanities, social sciences, and lived Muslim experiences. Such approaches do not treat theology as static doctrine, but as an ongoing process of meaning-making that responds to historical contingency, power relations, and evolving moral questions. Overall, this panel aims to demonstrate that Muslim theology is not confined to intra-religious discourse, but is a dynamic and critical participant in global ethical conversations. By addressing loneliness, climate change, AI, migration, and consumerism through constructive theological lenses, the panel highlights the relevance of Islamic thought for contemporary challenges facing humanity as a whole. It invites interdisciplinary dialogue, encourages collaboration between scholars and practitioners, and contributes to the reimagining of theology as a public, ethical, and transformative endeavor in an interconnected world.