First International Orientalism Conference Addresses Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

Qatar:  April 29, 2025 – The inaugural International Orientalism Conference convened this week, bringing together a distinguished assembly of global thinkers, researchers, Orientalists, and Arab scholars. The event aimed to provide an academic and intellectual platform for objective discussions on the realities of Orientalist studies, their historical and contemporary transformations, evolving stances on modern issues, and the complex interplay between the East and the West.

Mahmoud Al-Hams, head of the conference’s scientific committee, opened the gathering by framing Orientalism as “a significant intellectual and cultural issue with political, economic, and cultural dimensions.” He traced its origins back centuries, noting that its initial objectives often served as a precursor to colonialism. Al-Hams highlighted the profound impact of Palestinian-American thinker Edward Said’s seminal work, Orientalism, which sent shockwaves through Orientalist circles by exposing its negative dimensions. Said’s book critiqued the field for portraying the East as “a weak entity, incapable of managing its own affairs and requiring external governance,” thereby perpetuating colonial narratives.

The conference sought to dissect these historical underpinnings while exploring how Orientalist studies have evolved in response to contemporary global dynamics. Panels and discussions examined the field’s role in shaping perceptions of the East, its influence on intercultural relations, and the need for a more nuanced understanding that transcends colonial legacies. Scholars emphasized the importance of redefining Orientalism to foster mutual understanding and collaboration between Eastern and Western societies.

This landmark event marks a significant step toward re-evaluating a field long critiqued for its biases, setting the stage for future dialogues that aim to bridge cultural divides and address the lingering impacts of historical narratives on modern geopolitics.