Social Science Research Council

Ravshanbek Akimbay
Teacher of Tafsir (Koranic Commentary) at the Islamic University of Kyrgyzstan
Harvard University, Spring 2005

Mr. Akimbay studied both at the Tashkent Islamic Institute in Uzbekistan and the University of Al-Azkhar in Egypt before becoming a teacher at the Islamic University of Kyrgyzstan. Compared to many of the more traditional materials in use at the Islamic University, Mr. Akimbay makes the most of more modern books and materials, and he has suggested to his colleagues that they should begin creating their own materials. He has already taken it upon himself to begin writing his own book on Tafsir, from which he uses examples in his current classes. Having studied abroad, he is aware of the importance of continual learning and the value of comparative experiences, which he summed up in a quotation from the Koran stating that one must "seek knowledge even in China."