Al-Mukalla | University Media

The Second International Scientific Conference, organized by Al-Ahgaff University through the Hadhramaut Research Center, was held today, Saturday, in the city of Al-Mukalla, with the participation of a distinguished group of academics and researchers from within Yemen and abroad. The event represents a significant academic occasion that underscores the University’s growing presence on the regional and international research and academic landscape.

The conference activities commenced with the opening session, which began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an. This was followed by a welcoming address delivered by the President of Al-Ahgaff University, Professor Abdullah Mohammed Baharoon, in which he welcomed the participants and attendees, emphasizing the importance of holding such conferences in supporting scientific research and strengthening academic communication. He highlighted the University’s commitment to organizing scientific conferences that serve knowledge and society, stressing the necessity of giving greater attention to scientific research and employing it to serve community development.

A recorded video address was also delivered by the Governor of Hadhramaut, Mr. Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi, from the Saudi capital Riyadh. In his speech, he expressed his pride in the convening of the conference and praised the role of Al-Ahgaff University in highlighting the scientific, historical, and cultural dimensions of Hadhramaut. He emphasized the importance of scientific research in supporting development, preserving Hadhrami identity, and documenting the role of Hadhramis in spreading knowledge and religion across various regions, including East Africa.

Additionally, the Secretary-General of the Association of Universities of the Islamic World, Professor Dr. Sami Al-Sharif, delivered a speech from Cairo via Zoom, in which he underscored the significance of scientific conferences in enhancing cooperation among universities and academic institutions across the Islamic world. He commended Al-Ahgaff University for organizing this distinguished academic event.

The opening session also included interventions by four speakers:

Mr. Mohammed bin Dahri (Kenya), Member of the Board of Trustees of the Hadhramaut Research Center

Professor Singh Ho (Malaysia)

Sheikh Faisal Al-Amoudi (Kenya)

Professor Zain Al-Ma’arif Jamzuri, President of Bahjah University (Indonesia)

The speakers addressed a range of issues related to the conference themes, highlighting the scientific, cultural, and historical dimensions of the topic, and affirming the importance of academic research in documenting civilizational experiences and strengthening intercultural communication.

Following the opening session, the scientific sessions of the conference commenced and were held simultaneously in two halls. A number of peer-reviewed research papers were presented by researchers from various universities and research centers, addressing the conference themes from multiple academic perspectives. The sessions witnessed rich discussions and scholarly interventions that reflected a high level of academic engagement and interaction.

The conference concluded with a closing session, which included a speech by the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee and Vice President of Al-Ahgaff University, Professor Sadiq Omar Maknoon, who expressed his satisfaction with the success of the conference, the active participation of researchers, and the diversity of the presented papers. He noted that these contributions would help uncover further insights into Hadhrami migration and their role in social and economic life.

At the conclusion, Dr. Hashem Alawi Muqaibel presented the conference recommendations and highlighted the key findings of the researchers regarding Hadhramis in East Africa: Integration and Preservation of Identity. The recommendations emphasized the importance of supporting specialized scientific research on Hadhrami migration, enhancing documentation and archiving of heritage, manuscripts, and related historical documents, and conducting field studies to document the living memory of the descendants of migrants. The conference also stressed the need to expand linguistic, cultural, da‘wah, and legal research themes.

Furthermore, the conference recommended establishing effective academic partnerships between universities in Hadhramaut and East Africa, creating a permanent scientific platform for conference outputs, and ensuring the periodic convening of the conference. It concluded that studying the Hadhrami presence in East Africa represents a scholarly necessity for understanding Arab and Islamic history and for promoting values of coexistence and civilizational integration.

At the end of the conference, supporting institutions, heads of scientific sessions, researchers, participants, the preparatory committee, and assisting committees were honoured in recognition of their contributions to the success of the conference.

The conference was attended by presidents of Yemeni public and private universities, representatives of research centers, and a number of academics and individuals interested in historical studies.