PhD Dissertation Defense Examines the Significance of Cosmic Phenomena in Juz' Amma

The College of Islamic Studies at the Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center held an academic defense of the doctoral dissertation submitted by researcher Sahar Ahmed Abdel-Aal Sayed Ahmed, entitled “The Significance of Cosmic Phenomena in Juz’ Amma: An Analytical Study in Light of Religious Interpretation and Modern Scientific Theories.” The defense was conducted as part of the PhD program in the Department of Islamic Da'wah and Culture via Zoom, in the presence of the dissertation committee, faculty members, researchers, and other interested participants.

The dissertation committee was chaired by Dr. Taha Mohamed Hussein Al-Jawhari, Head of the Department of Islamic Da'wah and Culture. Dr. Shaimaa Abdelsabour Ibrahim Taha served as the dissertation supervisor, while Dr. Abdel-Ghani Soliman served as the internal examiner and Dr. Musa Al-Daw as the external examiner.

The dissertation examined and analyzed the significance of the cosmic phenomena mentioned in Juz’ Amma through a scholarly approach combining religious interpretation with modern scientific theories. It sought to explore the Qur’anic verses’ references to cosmic phenomena and examine the relationship between reflection on the Qur’anic text and contemporary scientific knowledge, while adhering to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and established methodologies of Qur’anic interpretation when addressing relevant scientific issues.

The defense featured an in-depth academic discussion covering the dissertation’s theoretical framework, research methodology, and key findings. The committee members provided a number of scholarly and methodological observations and recommendations aimed at enriching the study and strengthening its academic value. They also highlighted the significance of the research topic and its contribution to bringing together Qur’anic studies and contemporary academic interests.

The dissertation defense forms part of the efforts of the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the Islamic University of Minnesota to support rigorous academic studies and encourage research addressing Qur’anic and intellectual issues through sound scholarly methodologies. Such efforts contribute to enriching knowledge and advancing scientific research while creating opportunities for dialogue between Islamic studies and contemporary knowledge, with due regard for the foundations and methodological principles of Islamic scholarship.