“International Workshop on Critical Edition of Manuscripts: Methods and Problems” is held on 8-9 December 2012 as part of ISAM’s Late Classical Period Project. Approximately 40 academics, three from abroad (Syria, Pakistan and Iran), participated in the Workshop and discussed the problems encountered in critical edition of Islamic manuscripts.

     With the aim of making the intellectual works of the period between 7th century and 13th century (A.H. 12-19th centuries), which can also be called as the late classical period of Islamic civilization, available for the academic world, ISAM has launched its “The Late Classical Period Project.” In this way, ISAM targets to open the way to discuss and find solutions for the methodological problems concerning with studies on Islamic civilization, to form an example and set the standards in this field, to support the academic works done in the field of critical edition of Islamic manuscripts and monographs, and to publish them. Within the context of the Late Classical Period Project, it is planned to publish books, catalogues, critical editions and translations; to organize academic meetings; to train researchers in the field; to support PhD dissertations; and to provide support for the research and education of academicians.

     In the Workshop, which was held at ISAM on 8-9th December, 2012 as the first step of this project, the experiences and accumulation of knowledge in Turkey and around the world on critical edition and publication of manuscripts that have been produced during various periods of the history of Islamic civilization were discussed. The critical edition methods used by ISAM as well as the ones employed in different disciplines in different countries and the prospective methods to be implemented in future works were also discussed. 
     
     On the first day of the Workshop five papers were presented and discussed to present the experience and knowledge in Turkey and the Islamic world. Dr. Arif Naushahi (Government Gordon College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan) talked about the Indo-Pak sub-continent experience, while Jawad Bashari (Tehran University, Iran) presented the Iranian experience and Dr. Mahmud Misri (Syria) gave information on the experience of the Arab world. Associate professor, Dr. Ertuğrul Boynukalin presented the method of critical edition used in publications of ISAM, while Dr. Murteza Bedir explained the Method of Genealogy (Stemmatic or Tashjir). Then these papers were opened to attendees’ discussion. 
     
     On the second day, the basic issues concerning with critical edition of manuscripts and publication were opened to general discussion in two sessions. The first Session was about “the Selection of Works and Manuscripts for the Critical Edition” while the second session was held about the different approaches and problems related to “the Methods of Critical Edition.”