The Institute of Lebanese Thought, the Benedict XVI Endowed Chair of Religious, Cultural, and Philosophical Studies at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), and the Orient-Institut Beirut are delighted to extend an invitation to a two-day symposium titled "Charles Malik and the Early Reception of Martin Heidegger in the Near East." The event will take place on Monday, June 12, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at NDU's main campus, followed by a session on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the Orient-Institut Beirut.

The symposium aims to explore the reception of Martin Heidegger's philosophy in the Near East, with a particular focus on the Levant and Lebanon. It seeks to situate this reception within the broader context of engagement with Heidegger's ideas in the Middle East, the Arab World, and the Islamicate societal milieu. Of special interest is the relationship between Charles Malik and Heidegger, examining this encounter within the academic context and the wider cultural landscapes of Lebanon, the Levant, and the Arab region. The symposium will also consider the influence of Christian theology on Malik's thinking. This thematic exploration aligns with the increasing interest in this research area within the field of philosophy, attracting experts in Heidegger's and Malik's works, especially in this emerging line of inquiry.