As part of the Sustainability Week activities organized by Al-Mustaqbal University, the Department of Qur'anic Sciences and Islamic Education at the College of Education organized a research discussion workshop on Thursday, April 17, 2025, titled "Orientalism and Occidentalism and Their Impact on Arab Culture." The workshop was held in the college hall, with the participation of a select group of professors, researchers, and students.<br />The workshop began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a speech by the Head of the Department of Qur'anic Sciences and Islamic Education, Dr. Hashem Sayhoud Al-Mayah. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of holding such scientific workshops that address contemporary intellectual and cultural issues. He explained that the topic of Orientalism and Occidentalism is one of the most prominent topics that continues to cast a shadow over the reality of Arab and Islamic culture in light of current challenges. Following this, Professor Dr. Abdul Jawad Abdul Hassan Al-Baydani delivered a research lecture in which he discussed the concept of Orientalism, its origins and development, and the objectives of Orientalists in their study of the Arab and Islamic East. He also reviewed the most prominent impacts of this intellectual trend on Arab culture, whether at the level of religious, literary, or social studies.<br />Dr. Abdul Jawad also presented a research paper on Occidentalism as a contemporary Arab intellectual movement seeking to understand the West culturally and intellectually, and attempting to re-read the discourse of the Other in a way that serves Arab-Islamic identity and preserves its civilizational constants. The paper addressed the impact of Occidentalism in reshaping the awareness of the contemporary Arab intellectual regarding the West and its intellectual legacies.<br />The workshop witnessed extensive discussions among participating researchers and students, focusing on the impact of Orientalism in shaping the image of Islam and Muslims in the Western mindset, and the corresponding intellectual efforts to use Occidentalism to understand the Other and rebuild cultural bridges between East and West based on dialogue and mutual respect. At the conclusion of the workshop, the need to continue holding such academic meetings was emphasized, as they address intellectual and cultural issues in the Arab world and contribute to raising students' cultural and intellectual awareness.<br />The workshop concluded with a number of recommendations, most notably:<br />The need to encourage researchers and graduate students to study Orientalism and Occidentalism and their intellectual and cultural implications.<br />Expanding the scope of academic cooperation between relevant colleges and departments to establish joint research and intellectual activities.<br />Working to issue academic publications that shed light on issues of thought and identity in light of current challenges.<br />It is worth noting that this workshop is part of a series of Sustainability Week activities launched by Al-Mustaqbal University in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and its commitment to instilling cultural and intellectual values within the university community.<br />Al-Mustaqbal University is ranked first among private universities.