Osman Bakar
Osman Bakar is the Al-Ghazali Chair of Epistemology and Civilizational Studies and Renewal at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) and one of the most influential contemporary scholars of Islamic philosophy and the history of science. His work has played a significant role in advancing scholarly and public understanding of the intellectual foundations of Islamic civilization, particularly in the areas of epistemology, cosmology, and the relationship between religion and science.
Educated in both the sciences and the humanities, Professor Bakar has devoted much of his academic career to examining how Islamic conceptions of knowledge can contribute to contemporary discussions concerning science, ethics, education, and civilization. His scholarship is distinguished by its ability to bridge classical Islamic intellectual traditions and modern concerns while remaining grounded in the metaphysical principles of the Islamic worldview.
Professor Bakar has held a number of prominent academic appointments throughout the Muslim world and beyond. Prior to his current position at ISTAC, he served as Distinguished Professor and Director of the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He also held the Malaysia Chair of Islam in Southeast Asia at Georgetown University's Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, where he contributed to international conversations on religion, intercultural dialogue, and civilizational exchange.
A major theme of Professor Bakar's scholarship is the Islamic understanding of knowledge and its relationship to the unity of existence. His influential studies of tawḥīd, science, cosmology, and the classification of knowledge have helped revive interest in classical Islamic approaches to understanding the natural world. Through his work, he has consistently argued that modern scientific inquiry can be enriched by deeper philosophical and spiritual perspectives rooted in Islamic intellectual traditions.
Professor Bakar is the author of numerous books and articles that have been translated into Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Spanish, Turkish, and Urdu. Among his most influential works are Classification of Knowledge in Islam (1992), Tawhid and Science (1992), and Al-Farabi: Life, Works and Significance (2018). His writings have become important references in the fields of Islamic philosophy, religion and science, and civilizational studies.
In addition to his scholarly achievements, Professor Bakar has been a leading advocate for intercultural and interreligious understanding. His work consistently emphasizes the importance of dialogue between civilizations and the role that Islamic intellectual traditions can play in addressing contemporary global challenges. In recognition of his contributions to scholarship and public life, he has received numerous distinctions and has been listed among The Muslim 500 since 2009.
