Dr Mehmet Akíf Koç completed the Hifz program (memorisation of the entire Qur’anic text) in 1982 and the professional Qur’anic recitation program in 1988. He graduated from the Faculty of Divinity / Ankara University in 1992. He completed his M.A in 1996 and Ph.D in 2001. From 1993-2006, Dr Koç was a research assistant in the Faculty of Divinity / Ankara University. He continues to work at the University where he teaches and writes on Qur’anic Studies, formative and classical period in Qur’anic exegesis, contemporary approaches to the Qur’an and isnad system. He also has research interests in Muslim communities and their activities in a globalising world. Dr Koç has three major books and a number of articles on various issues in Islamic studies.
The view that “Muslims cannot interpret the Qur’an” is shared by a number of Muslim and non-Muslim intellectuals. This seminar will consider whether this opinion leans on the diversity of approaches to the notion of ‘revelation’. In doing so, it will also focus on the classifications regarding Qur’anic exegetical tradition from the formative period to modern times, considering the analysis of the tradition rather than solely providing descriptive information. The speaker will also provide exegetical examples to connect the title to his discussion.