News

Sectional sessions of the symposium “Philosophy of the Great Steppe and Legal Culture”, currently taking place at our university, have been successfully held.

The first sectional session of the symposium was dedicated to the theme “The Tradition of Justice and Legal Heritage in the Turkic World.” Scholars who study the tradition of justice within the Turkic world analyzed the features of oral law and the bi–orator institution, explaining how the principle “A virtuous person – a virtuous society” is reflected in Turkic legal thought.

The session was moderated by Dr. Halil Cetin (PhD), Associate Professor and Director of the Turkology Research Institute.

The first speaker, prominent scholar Professor Shakir Ibrayev, Chief Researcher of the Turkology Research Institute, highlighted the significance of oral tradition in shaping the legal culture of nomadic society. He elaborated on the primary role of the bi institution in resolving internal disputes fairly and thoroughly examined the nomads’ experience of regulating social relations and resolving conflicts through wisdom.

Professor Jabbar Eshankul, Director of the Alisher Navoi State Literature Museum, delivered a presentation titled “The Spiritual Essence of Law in the Turkic World: The Principle of ‘A Virtuous Person – A Virtuous Society’.” He emphasized that the moral and legal understanding of the Turkic world is grounded in the idea that the perfection of society begins with an individual’s inner culture and integrity.

Next, Kydyr Torali Akhmet, Director of the Islamic Research Institute of the SAMK (Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan), presented “The Moral and Legal Foundations of the Turkic World and the Teachings of Akhmed Yassawi.” He analyzed how Yassawi’s teachings influenced the moral and legal principles of the Turkic peoples and demonstrated the harmony between spiritual heritage and contemporary legal culture.

Professor Aziz Beimyrzauly, Advisor to the Secretary-General of TURKSOY, focused on the oral legal tradition in Turkic culture, highlighting the historical role of the legal norms preserved in the Kyrgyz epic Manas in fostering unity within society.

It is worth noting that at the end of the session, Professor Jabbar Eshankul presented our university with copies of Alisher Navoi’s Prose Works, the Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek Language, Uzbek Navoi Studies in the Independence Era, and an additional 100 books. Professor Aziz Beimyrzauly also donated works written by “Manas researchers” persecuted during the years of repression, as well as a book dedicated to the great Kazakh scholar Shokan Ualikhanov, who introduced Manas to the broader public.

The second session was held under the theme “Philosophy of Steppe Law.” The meeting was moderated by Dr. Bauyrzhan Saifunov (PhD), Director of the Yassawi Studies Research Institute.

In his presentation “Ancient Legal Heritage of the Nomadic Kazakh Land,” Bakhytzhan Kuandykov, Head of the Center for State-Legal Studies of Abai KazNPU and President of the National Law Academy, comprehensively explored the essence of the steppe laws, their role in regulating social relations, and their historical continuity.

Utkir Ochilov, Head of the Department for Analysis and Research in the Field of Human Rights of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, presented “Constitutional Reforms in Uzbekistan: Strengthening Guarantees of Human Rights and Freedoms.” He reviewed recent political and legal developments in Uzbekistan and the significance of constitutional reforms in protecting human rights.

The next speaker, Dr. Mukan Issakhan (PhD) from the Nur-Mubarak University of Islamic Culture, delivered a presentation titled “Religious Aspects of Kazakh Customary Law,” revealing the interconnection between the traditional Kazakh legal system and Islamic legal concepts.

Associate Professor Bekarys Nuriman of the Eurasian Research Institute spoke on “The Principle of State Governance in ‘Qutadghu Bilig’ and the Concept of ‘Righteous Law’,” analyzing issues of justice and governance culture in the political-philosophical heritage of the Turkic world.

The following presenter, Dr. Mukhit Tolegenov (PhD), Senior Researcher at the Yassawi Studies Institute, delivered a report titled “The Influence of Al-Farabi’s Teachings on Kazakh Traditions and the Legal System,” scientifically substantiating the impact of Al-Farabi’s philosophical legacy on Kazakh legal culture.

Thus, researchers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan emphasized that the spiritual teachings and moral norms of the Turkic peoples are closely linked to legal thought.

The event then continued with a Workshop under the theme “From the Heritage of the Great Steppe to the Principles of Modern Statehood.”