Islamic Philosophy Talk Series
This Ramadan, explore the profound influence of Islamic thought at two compelling talks, held in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi Institute. Setting the stage for each discussion, Dr. Lamya Tawfik will bring the Hakawati tradition to life with captivating storytelling performances, immersing audiences in the rich oral heritage of the Islamic world. Delving into philosophy, literature and ethics, these talks highlight how Islamic ideas have shaped global narratives, influencing both Eastern and Western storytelling traditions.
On 8 March, the series begins with Hayy Ibn Yaqzan and His Castaway Companions. Discover how Ibn Tufayl’s 12th-century masterpiece laid the foundation for the castaway genre, inspiring works from Robinson Crusoe to Cast Away. The talk will also explore Hayy’s silent contemplation and its enduring lessons on nature and human connection.
On 15 March, the discussion shifts to The Brethren of Purity and the Enduring Legacy of Animal Fables. Explore how these fables echo across cultures – from Aesop’s tales and La Fontaine’s fables to beloved classics like Peter Rabbit and 101 Dalmatians.
Join us to experience the legacy of Islamic philosophy and its lasting impact on storytelling across time and cultures.
On 8 March, the series begins with Hayy Ibn Yaqzan and His Castaway Companions. Discover how Ibn Tufayl’s 12th-century masterpiece laid the foundation for the castaway genre, inspiring works from Robinson Crusoe to Cast Away. The talk will also explore Hayy’s silent contemplation and its enduring lessons on nature and human connection.
On 15 March, the discussion shifts to The Brethren of Purity and the Enduring Legacy of Animal Fables. Explore how these fables echo across cultures – from Aesop’s tales and La Fontaine’s fables to beloved classics like Peter Rabbit and 101 Dalmatians.
Join us to experience the legacy of Islamic philosophy and its lasting impact on storytelling across time and cultures.
© Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
Speakers’ Biographies
Speaker: Dr. Lamya Tawfik
Dr. Lamya Tawfik is a Creative Arts Facilitator, presenter and performing artist with a passion for storytelling, acting and cultural exploration. With over 25 years of experience in corporate and media roles, she brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to her work. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the American University in Cairo, as well as a doctorate in childhood studies from Ain Shams University. Fluent in English, Arabic and Italian, Dr. Lamya has spent most of her life in Dubai, where she continues to inspire audiences through her work in the arts and media.
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
Speaker: Taneli Kukkonen
Taneli Kukkonen is a specialist in classical Arabic philosophy, with a focus on Aristotle and the Aristotelian and Platonic traditions from antiquity to the Renaissance. His interests also extend to philosophy and pop culture, religious studies, Islamic culture in the classical period and the early history of science.
He is the author of Ibn Tufayl, published by Oxford in 2014, and has written over thirty research articles on Arabic philosophy and the Aristotelian tradition. An avid reader of comic books, he thrives on music and chocolate.
Before joining NYU Abu Dhabi, he held faculty positions in Philosophy at the University of Victoria in Canada, History at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and Religious Studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
Before joining NYU Abu Dhabi, he held faculty positions in Philosophy at the University of Victoria in Canada, History at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and Religious Studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
Speaker: Nader El-Bizri
Nader El-Bizri is a scholar of philosophy, Islamic science and architectural theory. He served as Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah and was previously a tenured professor of philosophy and civilisation studies at the American University of Beirut, where he also held roles as Associate Dean and Director of the General Education programme.
He has held a Leverhulme Visiting Professorship in the history of philosophy and science at Durham University and remains an affiliated scholar with the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge and the CNRS in Paris.
El-Bizri is the recipient of the prestigious Prize of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences. He is the author and editor of several books, including The Phenomenological Quest between Avicenna and Heidegger and serves as General Editor of the Epistles of the Brethren of Purity series, published by Oxford University Press.
He has held a Leverhulme Visiting Professorship in the history of philosophy and science at Durham University and remains an affiliated scholar with the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge and the CNRS in Paris.
El-Bizri is the recipient of the prestigious Prize of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences. He is the author and editor of several books, including The Phenomenological Quest between Avicenna and Heidegger and serves as General Editor of the Epistles of the Brethren of Purity series, published by Oxford University Press.
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi