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 Message from Recep Tayyip Erdo÷an
Prime Minister of Turkey
Esteemed Representatives of the Istanbul Foundation for Sci-
ence and Culture!

Esteemed Participants!

First of all I wish this International Symposium on Bediuzza-

man every success and I greet all our friends with heartfelt good
wishes and affection. I am sure that the ideas and papers to be
presented in the course of this conference entitled: Knowledge,
Faith, Morality and the Future of Humanity will assist in making
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s ideas, works, life, and struggle better
known and understood.

A full half-century has passed since Bediuzzaman departed this

life and returned to his Maker, but thanks to his devoted followers his light-scattering ideas continue
to spread and illuminate society’s spirit like an ever-brightening lamp and to nourish its spiritual
roots.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was not only a religious guide or scholar; he was an all-embracing leader
who conTuered hearts and inÀuenced minds. He endured every sort of hardship during this coun-
try’s most dif¿cult and crisis-ridden years, dedicating his life to producing works inspired by the
Qur’an, to teach the truths of faith and strengthen the moral values of this nation.

The movement Bediuzzaman founded has greatly assisted this country’s unity and togetherness.
Throughout his life he strove with his thought and works to unite people who were becoming divided
and split up and torn between the materialistic West and the demoralized East, and to reconstruct
with his original ideas and analyses society’s moral values.

Looking back now at the years since his death, we understand better the many lessons Bediuzza-
man’s life holds for all of us and how timeless are the messages contained in his works. Today we
realize more clearly the value of the legacy he left us in the many works comprising the Risale-i Nur
Collection, which for years has retained its place among Turkey’s bestsellers.

It is my belief that the papers presented by the esteemed scholars participating in this symposium
from 3rd to 5th October 2010 will make considerable contributions to the better understanding of
Said Nursi’s works.

With these thoughts we remember Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, wish the symposium every success,
and greet with love and respect all those attending and participating.

Recep Tayyip Erdo÷an, Prime Minister

3
 Sinan Erdem Sports
p Centre

Long queues at the enterence of the Sports Centre gates Welcoming the guests

105 academics presented papers at the symposium, and around 300 attended as observers

4
5
 of Nurs, then planted and nurtured in Istanbul, in
prison cells, and in exile, and today has spread its
roots all over the globe. Thinkers, illuminati, so-
cial leaders, and religious ¿gures hold a special
place in our hearts. They all possess exceptional
qualities that distinguish them from ordinary peo-
ple. We have great love for all the great ¿gures of
the past and present who appeared in this land
of ours, and offered ¿ne examples to society with
their ideas and teachings.

From the earth all the stars are magni¿cent. They

are like undying candles in the skies. But some
appear differently to us; their light shines more
%OHQW$UÕQo brightly; the light they scatter is different. Said
Deputy Prime Minister Nursi was one of those.

Esteemed friends, I greet you all and offer my re- At ¿rst sight he recalls divine love that sets alight
spects! the ¿res of the human heart. One is instantly cap-
tivated by love. Bediuzzaman at once suffuses
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was an eminent scholar, both mind and heart. He ¿nds a place in the con-
a blessed person, who witnessed the reign of Sul- science. For he is the voice of the conscience,
tan Abdülhamid, the era of Ottoman constitution- which in these lands has been systematically si-
alism, the ¿rst twenty-¿ve years of the Turkish Re- lenced; indeed, he is the conscience. He was a
public, and the multi-party era, and whose timeless lover of freedom who declared: “I can live without
message is now being recalled. It is my hope that bread, but not without freedom!”
this commemorative symposium, which is being
held to analyze and gain deeper knowledge of his He was a lover of justice who gave their travel ex-
thought, and to pass it on to the younger genera- penses to those who came to visit him; who would
tions, will have many positive results. not eat the bread brought from the baker if un-
wrapped, since it may have been seen by the hun-
I greatly appreciate it when large symposiums gry; who defended the rights of the wild animals
such as this are organized without hitch and I of- of the mountains by warning his students against
fer my congratulations to all those who have had eating the wild berries and fruits since it was the
a hand in it. In the course of the symposium Said animals’ sustenance, while the human foods were
Nursi’s life, works, and thought will be discussed found in the gardens and orchards near their habi-
in depth by experts, academics, and his students tations.
who attended him in his lifetime and have per-
petuated his work. We shall endeavour to follow He was a monument to compassion who never
proceedings and to pro¿t from them. cursed those who persecuted him unlawfully and
made his life unbearable with their arbitrary op-
Said Nursi was born in a small Anatolian village pression and cruelty; he prayed for their reform.
when the Ottoman Empire was in the process of
dispersal. He began life with few material advan- Before anything Said Nursi was a man of knowl-
tages, and throughout it suffered many hardships edge, a man of learning. His purpose was to ap-
and dif¿culties. But out of those dif¿culties and proach man through formal knowledge and inner
deprivations he succeeded in building a civiliza- wisdom. He sought man’s salvation and searched
tion that gave new direction to the world of thought. for the signs on the way to truth; he tried to deci-
Bediuzzaman transformed this thought into to a pher those signs leading to man’s salvation, and
mighty tree, a tree he had ¿rst sowed in the soil to guide him. He defended belief in God and Is-

6
lamic learning in the face of godless, materialis- country, and for all humanity foiled every sort of
tic Western thought, and accepted it as axiomatic plot and scheme against him. For his ideas and
that human peace and happiness are only to be words addressed everyone. The world too was in
found in belief in God. He demonstrated that sci- need of his words. He spoke of universal happi-
ence and reason may be utilized in attaining them. ness and salvation for all humanity. He was seek-
He employed the reason fearlessly. He saw that ing ways of bringing happiness to all.
the reason is a trustworthy instrument in reaching
the truth. He spoke only of truth, rights, and liberties; of
freedom of belief and thought; he wanted every-
He did not falter in the face of modern science; one to live as they believed. He insisted that be-
he pointed out that it could be made to serve hu- lief and thought should never be fettered. He put
manity. He said: “We follow proof. We approach reason before bigotry, belief before denial, knowl-
the truths of faith through thought, reason, and our edge before ignorance, idealism before despair,
hearts,” and emphasized the importance of sci- and striving, progress, science and technology
ence, thought, and technology. before idleness and abjectness. He believed that
the country, and all humanity, would develop in a
With his published works and ideas, Said Nursi free, unrepressed atmosphere.
was a proli¿c writer. But he differed to other schol-
ars and thinkers in that he was a lover of freedom Said Nursi’s endeavours and ideas have played a
whose heart, thought, and hand could not be fet- substantial role in our country’s struggles to build
tered. He never bowed to tyrants or a true, pluralist democracy based on
tyranny. He courageously confront- human rights and liberties, and in the
ed the oppressor even if it was his Before anything love of our people for freedom and
co-religionist. He was never uncon- Said Nursi was democracy. The ideas he published
cerned. He was always concerned. particularly in the constitutional period
He always listened when there was a man of knowl- were instrumental in building a demo-
a cry of pain, wherever it was from; edge, a man cratic structure which is pluralist ethni-
he always attempted to remove ob- cally, religiously, politically, and cultur-
stacles obscuring the truth, who- of learning. His ally.
ever placed them. It was because purpose was to
of this that he spent his life in exile, Although years have passed since his
in isolation, in prison, under surveil-
approach man death, the value of Bediuzzaman’s
lance, suffering torture. through formal ideas still increases since he set out
knowledge and in a new and eloquent manner the
Despite being a fervent supporter of universalist message of our civiliza-
republicanism, he suffered through- inner wisdom. tion. His ideas hold great value and
out the single party era of the Re- importance for humanity. They remind
publican People’s Party. They con- us that Islam is not aggressive and
demned him in their narrow world. They ¿rst of all exclusive, but uni¿es and brings together. It was
inÀicted on him the rote-learned inconsistencies the climate his thought gave rise to that inspired
they still repeat today. Not once did they listen to today’s search for interfaith dialogue.
what he had to say nor did they try to understand
it. They proclaimed him an enemy of the regime, We learn from Said Nursi’s writings Islam’s an-
and accused him of being opposed to secularism swers to the questions posed by modernity, for
and a reactionary. As Necip FazÕl says in his book, Islam is a universal call to guidance. What makes
Said Nursi illustrated his views on republicanism Said Nursi useful for us today is that he did not
by telling those who asked him in prison why he only say things, he believed them and put them
fed breadcrumbs dipped in soup to the ants: “They into practice within a moral framework. His thought
are both industrious and in their co-operation are and action were at one; he lived and behaved as
republicans, like me.” he thought; he was a model of sincerity. Like the
dervishes of Khurasan, he was a learned man
In spite of this, he was the object of campaigns who believed that to serve people is to serve God,
of slander by the government of the time, which seeking no worldly or otherworldly interests. He
wanted to humiliate him in the eyes of the peo- was so altruistic as to say: “We are devotees of
ple. But his genuine, deep love for his people, his love, we have no time for enmity or hostility.” Like

7
Shaykh Edebali, Haji Bektaú 9eli, Hazret-i Mevla- From his childhood till the time he departed for
na, Yunus Emre, and Ahmed Yesevi, who infused his eternal resting-place, Said Nursi suffered cap-
these lands with feelings of unity, togetherness, tivity, imprisonment, isolation, torture, and exile,
and affection, he was a pole of wisdom, knowl- but he left behind him blessed works which like
edge, and love. the sun in the sky and the stars hold up a light
to humanity and our world, which ignorance con-
Today as a society we are together harvesting the trives to darken. He composed the 6,000-page
fruits of that meaningful sowing, which they real- Risale-i Nur Collection with passion. The master-
ized out of the understanding that “wisdom is hu- pieces that he wrote behind dark, dank walls now
manity’s lost property.” It should be a social, moral illuminate humanity. Bediuzzaman loved our lofty
ideal that people live together without causing Book, the Qur’an, and strove in all his writings to
pain to either themselves or others. What did Eúref expound its divine messages for humanity. He
Edip say about Said Nursi? Why was Socrates strove to bring close to reason the truths of be-
so great? Because he disregarded his life for the lief and to elucidate them with rational proofs. And
sake of an idea. And Said Nursi was a scholar and while addressing the intellect, he never neglected
idealist who devoted his life to the heart. Said Nursi was a lover
social and ethical ideals. of democracy and freedom, he
had a passion for the truth, and
Said Nursi declared that he
Said Nursi was a ¿nally was a servant of God and
was ready to sacri¿ce a thou- lover of democracy a human being. The time has
sand lives for belief and the and freedom, he had come now to heed sincerely his
hereafter, and unhesitatingly a passion for the call to love, learning, and knowl-
sacri¿ced everything on the edge which springing from these
way of truth, right, and the truth, and ¿nally was lands is spreading beyond wave
values he believed in. In one a servant of God and after wave.
of his defences he told the a human being. The
court: “Enough! My patience We today should take his en-
is exhausted. You turned this
time has come now compassing conception of civili-
world into a prison for me so to heed sincerely his zation as a model. I believe many
I knocked on the door of the call to love, learning, lessons are to be had from his
hereafter, and divine mercy and knowledge which compassionate, love-¿lled heart
opened it to me.” He showed
how completely disinterested springing from these which was so far from hatred,
vengefulness, and envy. His
he was towards this world and lands is spreading love for his country and people,
its goods, which today most beyond wave after making no distinction between
people run after with all their them, has many things to say to
power.
wave. the politicians of today and their
approach to politics, which is po-
These words of his show both how easily he gave larized, partisan, and looks on opponents as en-
up the world, and how vicious and severe was the emies and ‘the other.’
treatment meted out to him. But he responded
with dignity, forbearance, and constancy to the op- Let alone nurturing hatred, jealousy, or antipathy,
pression and cruelty he suffered, and always said: he displayed deep compassion, love, and toler-
“Men do wrong, but fate is just,” and he continued ance even towards those who tried to destroy him.
to serve humanity in patience and trusting in God. I would like here to conclude my words with some
He composed auspicious works and bequeathed of his own: “All my life has passed in hardship and
to those who cast him into darkness and wanted to deprivation, suffering calamities and disasters. I
obscure his life, a luminous lamp lit from the Àame have sacri¿ced my self and my worldly life on the
of his heart. At the time, in the midst of depriva- way of the community’s faith, happiness, and well-
tion, he said “For forty years I have known nothing being. I have given of them freely, wanting nothing
of the pleasures of this world,” the thought system in return. I do not even curse the oppressors.”
he so patiently constructed paved the way to “an
Anatolian renaissance,” as the wise poet Sezai Once again I greet all of you with love and offer
Karakoç pointed out. you my respects.

8
9

Dr. Hüseyin Çelik
Former Minister of Education, Deputy for 9an
I am extraordinarily happy and grateful to be here
with you today at this the 9th International Sympo-
sium on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi and his mission,
and to have the opportunity to speak to you.
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was a great Islamic
thinker and scholar and regenerator of religion.
At no time he did support ethnic nationalism; in
fact, he spent his life struggling against racialism,
which he called “negative nationalism.” Despite
this, the powers that be had no qualms in accus-
ing him of being a Kurdish nationalist. He never at
any stage had recourse to violence or brute force,
and categorically forbad his students to have re-
course to them. We all know his cause, mission,
and life, which were based on the approach called
“positive action,” that is, on the struggle of ideas
which democracy comprises. He set this out in his
works. Nevertheless, the despotic single-party au-
thorities condemned him to exile, prison, torture,
and solitary con¿nement.
Those who could not abide Bediuzzaman Said
Nursi during his lifetime could not abide him in
his grave even. For the military coup mentality
smashed open his grave in Urfa and removed
his remains to some unknown spot. Perhaps too
Bediuzzaman had no need of a grave, for he had
won himself an exceptional place in the believers’
hearts. So he had no need of one.
Throughout history important persons and worthy
persons have appeared. The general rule is that
10
others have turned the life of such persons into
hell. The late Osman Yüksel Serdengeçti wrote in
a piece about Said Nursi and his students: “Why
was Socrates so great? Wasn’t it because he
completely disregarded his life for the sake of his
cause? What was Socrates’ crime? He told Greek
society, which worshipped ¿ve hundred gods, that
there was only one god because down to the last
millimetre there was a ¿ne order in the universe.
He told them that there could never be ¿ve hun-
dred sorts of gods, from Apollo to Zeus. He was
tried in Athens by a jury of ¿ve hundred and one
and condemned to death by drinking poison hem-
lock.
He was just about to drink it when he heard some-
one in the crowd weeping. He looked and saw
that it was his own wife. He asked her: ‘Why are
you weeping?’ ‘Who’ll weep if I don’t,’ she replied.
‘They are executing you unjustly.’ So Socrates
asked her: ‘Would it better if they executed me
justly? Would you want to be a criminal’s wife?”
The last lesson he gave his students was this: ‘I
am not the ¿rst and I won’t be the last.
Many people will meet with an end similar to
mine because they attach to truth and right a val-
ue higher than they attach to mundane matters.
But the court and its jury of ¿ve hundred and one
people will be buried in the clouds of historical ob-
scurity.’ Truly, no one today knows anything about
Meletus, the man who informed on Socrates, but
Socrates lives on in all his glory. Nor is anything
known about the ¿ve hundred and one members
of the Athens court that tried him. Why? Because
Socrates was a person of great worth, while they
were not.
The importance of important persons persists as
long as they possess importance, rank, position,
money, possessions, and so on. When they dis-
appear, so do their importance. But worthy, great
persons retain their worth even if they meet with
the mercilessness of time and place; even if they
are not understood during their lifetimes; even if
like Bediuzzaman Said Nursi they are condemned
to exile, imprisonment, solitary con¿nement; even
if they are poisoned and are tortured. They retain
their value like buried treasure. This gathering
here today proves this point. He was heroically
compassionate, forgiving the of¿cials who tor- like it held both in Turkey and abroad are highly
mented him for the sake of their children, when effective at making the life of this great person,
he saw them. his cause and self-sacri¿ce for the community,
and his striving to save the faith of the youth bet-
His life was ruled by love. As the Mayor of Istanbul ter known and understood. This symposium will
said a little earlier: “We are devotees of love, we assist us to make our society one whose mem-
have no time for enmity.” But although those who bers understand one another and look on one an-
oppressed him were important men, they have other tolerantly and peaceably. No person should
been consigned to oblivion in history. No one re- look on any other as ‘the other,’ no matter what
members their names or anything about them. his religion, language, mezhep, or home region
may be. We work day and night to build a society
In 1995, as an academic I presented a paper at the in which no lifestyle is imposed on anyone and no
International Symposium organized by the Istan- one is treated differently because of the way he
bul Foundation for Science and Culture. In 2005 lives. So long as you support us in this and trust in
while I was Minister of Education I represented us, I believe Turkey will continue to become more
Turkey at the General Conference of UNESCO enlightened and will meet with better days.
in Paris. One of Turkey’s large circulation news-
papers threw the headline: “Education Minister I want to conclude with an anecdote. When Be-
Hüseyin Çelik’s words turned diuzzaman Said Nursi was
out right.” What had I said? “If living on the mountain Erek
only when the Republic was Da÷Õ, he had with him Ha-
¿rst founded the founders Bediuzzaman Said mid Ekinci, who used to tell
had listened to Bediuzzaman Nursi is a symbol of us: “One day I killed a snake
and had understood what he and brought it to him. Ustad
was saying, there would have
the brotherhood that was very angry with me. He
been no Kurdish national- is born of people co- asked me: ‘Is it you that gives
ism today among the Kurd-
ish youth in the east, and no
ming together around itit?’” its food so that you may kill
Here we are speaking
Turkish nationalism among shared values and is about someone who could
the Turkish youth in the west.” one of its architects. not countenance even a
Today I say the same thing. snake being killed.
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi is The need for his ideas
a symbol of the brotherhood is even greater today. Osman Bey left his son
that is born of people com- Orhan Bey a will in Arabic
ing together around shared consisting of six articles. The
values and is one of its ar- ¿rst article begins “al-shafaqa
chitects. The need for his ideas is even greater ‘ala khalqillah.” That is to say, behave compas-
today. sionately towards all Allah’s creatures; not only
human beings, but all living creatures, nature, the
We have greater need for a close understanding mountains, stones, and the seas. Bediuzzaman
of Bediuzzaman at the present time, when divi- Said Nursi was someone who practised this pro-
sive scenarios are being advanced in order to phetic morality, who taught it to his students, and
damage our brotherhood. After the above head- who made it his mission in life. We invite those
lines appeared in the papers, a journalist phoned who do not understand him to do so. We invite
me and asked to do an interview about Bediuz- those who do not know him, to do so. We request
zaman. I agreed immediately but asked him if he those who look on him with prejudice and ideo-
had read any of Bediuzzaman’s works. He replied logical ¿xation to free themselves from these.
in the negative. So I told him in surprise that he
had written around a hundred treatises. He again With these feelings and thoughts, I wish the sym-
said he did not know them. So I told him that I posium every success and hope it will be fruitful
wouldn’t do the interview because it would be like and produce many good results.
discussing naturalist philosophy with a child who
does not know the alphabet. Once again I offer you my deepest respects and
affection.
Respected guests! This symposium and those
11
12
 Mementos Ceremony

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9
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13

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez
President of the Directorate of Religious Affairs
I begin my speech by recalling the meaningful
relation between the words “‘Ɨlim” and “‘Ɨlam”
as was pointed out by our Prophet (PBUH), and
by recalling with thanks, gratitude, and prayers
Ustad Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, who represented
that relation most effectively in the 20th century.
There is a splendid expression in Arabic: “HanƯan
lakum!” which means Congratulations!, Cordial
greetings!, Good health to you!, and so on. They
were also the ¿nal words Bediuzzaman Said Nursi
put in the telegraph he sent the youth who would
live three hundred years after him. Not even a
hundred years has passed since then, but I think
the scholars and academics from all over the
world who are present here in this hall deserve
to be addressed by these congratulations, by that
expression. It is a message that has arrived from
the deep valleys of the past. Now let’s read this
congratulatory message together. Let’s listen to
the voice on the other end of the line:
“O you Said’s, Hamza’s, Ömer’s, Osman’s, Ta-
hir’s, Yusuf’s, Ahmad’s and the rest of you who
are hidden behind the high age of three centuries
hence, and listening silently to my words, watch
us with a secret, unseen gaze! I am addressing
you! Raise your heads and say: ‘You are right!’
And it should be incumbent on you to say it. Let
these contemporaries of mine not listen if they
do not wish. I am speaking to you over the wire-
less telegraph that stretches from the valleys of
the past called history to your elevated future.
What should I do? I was hasty, I came in winter,
but you will come in a paradise-like spring. The
seeds of light sown now will open as Àowers in
your ground. We await this from you as the rec-
14
ompense for our service that when you come to
go to the past, pass by my grave, and place a few
of those gifts of spring by the citadel of 9an, which
is the gravestone of my medrese and houses my
bones, and is the custodian of the Horhor’s earth.
We shall warn the custodian; call, and you will
hear the cry: ‘Good health to you!’”
It is certainly of the greatest important to discuss
humanity, and human dignity, and a future be¿t-
ting human dignity, and the building of a future
that be¿ts human dignity, and to discuss faith in
the future, and knowledge and wisdom in the fu-
ture, and morality. If you ask me to summarize all
these subjects in a single phrase, I would say this:
“Proclaiming the mysteries of pre-eternal wisdom
lodged in humankind.”
Ustad Bediuzzaman placed existence and the
universe on the desk before his students and put
them in the form of a book, saying that their true
purpose was to teach ‘belief by investigation.’ To
those who listen to it, the universe describes Allah
with every one of its particles. On reading the Ri-
sale-i Nur, one sees that existence itself is being
read line by line in Allah’s name. One hears the
names, “O Most Glorious! O Compeller! O Most
Compassionate! O Most Muni¿cent!” in the frothy
waves of the seas; the name “O Most Compas-
sionate!” in the purring of the cat. The rustling of
trees in the breeze, the stars blinking in the skies,
the falling snowÀakes and raindrops, and lamp-
like shining sun in the sky, the delicate Àowers on
the earth that turn their faces to the Most Merciful
all together shout out one thing, one truth, and
this is “Allah!”
Ustad wanted to point out the de¿ciencies of the
existent system and to silence its representatives
and to warn them. His aim on the one hand was
to revitalize the backward Islamic world by found-
ing a university, and on the other to prevent the
spread of atheism and bolshevism. His view was
that if the religious and social and physical sci-
ences were taught together in our schools, the
conÀict between science and religion would cease
and young people would not receive an irreligious
education. How eloquently he expressed this
idea: “The heart is illuminated by the religious sci-
ences. The intellect is illuminated by the modern
sciences. The truth is born of the combining of
the two. When they are separated, it gives rise to
bigotry in the one, and denial in the other.” court cases were at various times opened against
the Risale-i Nur Collection. Then application was
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi said that faith and mo- made to the Directorate for expert reports on the
rality form an indivisible whole and that believers Risale. I would like at this point to thank those
should possess high morals. In his court defences who, in connection with this conference, helped
he pointed out this characteristic of his students me obtain the documents in question. I was de-
and that until that time not one of them had turned lighted when I read the 17 documents that were
to anarchy or destructive behaviour, or had dis- sent to the Turkish courts of law by members of
turbed the peace in any way. the Consultative Committee
of the Directorate of Religious
Truly, his students, whom he al- Affairs, and some of them by
ways urged to act positively and Bediuzzaman Said provincial müftüs. I would like
to avoid quarrels and conÀict, to share this with you.
have played a key role in main- Nursi said that faith
taining law and order. He him- The 17 different experts’ re-
self absolutely never gave up and morality form an ports sent to those courts of
acting positively, despite all the law during the most dif¿cult
ill-treatment meted out to him.
indivisible whole and times in recent Turkish his-
He never ever joined any sort of
action against the government
that believers should tory contain not one single
negative remark about the
or nation, either intellectually or possess high morals. Risale-i Nur. This fact should
actually. “If we were to display be recorded for posterity. The
with our actions the perfections learned members of the Con-
of Islamic morals and the truths sultative Committee, the late
of faith, the followers of other religions would Àock müftü of Rize Yusuf Karaali, and Ahmet Hamdi
to Islam in groups. Indeed, whole continents and Akseki, who for twenty-¿ve years bore on his
states would seek refuge in Islam.” shoulders the responsibility of the Directorate,
and Ali RÕza Hakses, surely all deserve to be ad-
I would like to conclude this speech by sharing dressed by the message: “Congratulations! Good
with you some facts taken from archival material health to you!”
related to the Directorate of Religious Affairs. As
was explained by the Minister who spoke earlier, I offer all of you my respects.

15
 The media was there in force...

7KH6\PSRVLXPSUHVHQWHUV6DLG7DNWDNDQG0XVWDIDdDOÕúDQ Dr. Sayyid Nabil Baz joined the symposium as an observer

Photograph after the opening ceremony

16

'U.DGLU7RSEDú
Mayor of Istanbul
This symposium is an occasion to remember Be-
diuzzaman Said Nursi and to become acquainted
with his thought. I hope it will produce many good
results. And I greet you all with respect and love.
In our globalizing world with its technological ad-
vances, 65% of the world’s population lives in cit-
ies. But city life unfortunately distances people
from human values. They speed along on differ-
ent tracks thanks to those technological advanc-
es, but someone needs to tell them to stop and
recall their own values and to put them into prac-
tice in their lives.
We all of us want such crucial values as formal
knowledge, inner knowledge, faith, and morality
to be known and lived.
We are all aware of Bediuzzaman’s forceful state-
ments about the essential values that lie at the
base of our culture and civilization. His powerful
voice, resounding down the centuries, has be-
come the voice of our world, interpreting our love
and wisdom-laden emotions. The truest witness
to this are the more than a hundred academics
from nearly forty countries, and the thousands of
other spectators, who are attending this opening
ceremony.
Bediuzzaman possessed great genius, profound
ideas, and an elevated character. He had match-
less love and forbearance. Such a person could
never remain indifferent towards the problems
facing society. He did what was expected of him;
he dedicated his life to seeking solutions for those
problems. He undertook every dif¿culty. Rather
17
than withdrawing when faced with obstacles and
seeking pretexts, he removed the obstacles and
wanted to hold up a light to the future, and he de-
voted himself to this. He extended and expanded
his knowledge. The extraordinary effectiveness of
the Risale-i Nur he left behind him is not base-
less. For at its root lie determination, self-sacri¿ce,
faith, and profound wisdom. One can see these
on every one of its pages. He has inÀuenced and
illuminated people from everywhere regardless of
religion, language, and race. His thought is the
product of a civilizational approach that embraces
all humanity. He represented the richness of our
culture with his wise words, and found a place in
men’s hearts. He held up a light not only to his own
age but to future ages. Cemil Meriç had this to say
about him: “Said Nursi was a man of struggle and
striving. He had a steely will, an uncompromising
temperament, and faith rather than reÀection.” I
believe that his ideas will remain fresh and sought
after at all times. Thus, the symposium organized
here today, and especially these ideas, will pro-
duce important messages for humanity concern-
ing the shaping of mankind’s future.
Economic injustices, theories of conÀict between
religions and civilizations, and global terror con-
stitute serious threats to humanity. As we seek
solutions for these enormous problems, Bediuz-
zaman has much to say to us. He says: “Our en-
emies are ignorance, poverty, and internal con-
Àict. We shall ¿ght these three enemies with the
weapons of education, industry, and unity.” He
said too: “We are devotees of love. We have no
time for enmity.” I believe that this symposium
will make a large contribution to universal peace
and will assist in making better known and under-
stood the movement for revival and renewal that
Said Nursi initiated. It is indeed a most effective
way of achieving this. And it will make much more
meaningful the message of peace and tolerance
it sends to the world from Istanbul, the symbolic
city of “the alliance of civilizations,” this century’s
most extensive peace project.
I hope that this large gathering will have numer-
ous good results and I wish it every success in
making clear and comprehensible Said Nursi’s
solutions for the salvation of humanity, and I greet
you all with love and respect.
Knowledge, Fa

and FUT
of Hum

18
Faith, Morality

TURE
manity

19
 *UHHWLQJV6SHHFKHV
'U9DI¿6KHULII
8VPDQX'DQIRGLRhQLYHUVLWHVL1ø-(5<$
The interpretation of Nursi for Quran was realistic without any exaggera-
tion.He found that this ability for human being, it can only come from “iman
el hakikah”.The creature that hasn’t any” iman”, any faith is a miserable
creature.So that the “iman” it will be as the equilibrium for human being.That
is call as the highway of Quran that was built by Nursi and is also it was in
the light of the prophet companions actions.Said-i Nursi found that the hu-
man being can only be surviving in this world by guiding really the identity.
Because the nation that hasn’t any identity is a loss society or loss nation.

Prof. Dr. Dimitri Vasilyev

5XVVLDQ$FDGHP\RI6FLHQFHV5XVVLD

There are today within the Eurasian ideological framework numerous dif-
ferent political and other currents. Said Nursi’s spiritual legacy holds a
very special place among these.
The crucial point about Said Nursi’s thought is that it is a means of under-
standing and analyzing events in contemporary life more profoundly and
comprehensively. It may inÀuence realistically the choice of how society
is to develop.

Prof. Dr. Munira Mohammad

+DLO8QLYHUVLW\6DXGL$UDELD

I bring the sincerest greetings from Mecca and Medina and Saudi
Arabia and offer them in this ¿ne gathering to this great country and
its matchless civilization. During this symposium we shall discuss hu-
manity’s most serious problem, weakness in belief in God. And while
doing this, we shall follow in the way shown to us by Beloved Musta-
fa (PBUH), which was the path followed by Imam Bediuzzaman Nursi.
For his endeavour was all to save the people of this age from meeting
a bad end and to call them to mercy and compassion in all its forms.

Archbishop Lazar Puhalo

The Orthodox Church of Canada

It is said that the darker of the night, the brighter of the stars shine. In
this time of great spiritual darkness and moral darkness in the world the
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi shines among the brightest stars. One of the If
one of the which is to know the great power of the Risale-i Nur and the im-
portance of Said Nursi you have only to look around in this auditorium and
see how many young people are here. People under the age of even thirty
years old. This is because Said Nursi was not afraid of the modern world.
He went to the very depth of the spiritual wisdom of the holy Qur’an. And
he offered to the young people of the world, a spiritual life that had real
meaning. He was not afraid of science and he was not afraid of technol-
ogy. Too many of the older people have been afraid of the modern world. And too many older people
tried to teach the younger people with just repeating things from the past century. But Said Nursi taught
the young people the faith would give them courage.

20
 3URI'U=H\QHS$¿¿
0XQX¿\\D8QLYHUVLW\(J\SW

How is it possible to speak brieÀy of a great thinker who dedicated his

life to defending the Islamic cause and the unity of Muslims; who gave us
130 treatises and ¿ve thousand written pages; and who with his Risale-i
Nur Collection, and his Words, Flashes, Signs of Miraculousness, and
his Rays diagnosed the sickness and provided the remedies? I really
¿nd myself in a dif¿cult situation.

3URI'UùHQHU'LOHN
øQ|Q8QLYHUVLW\7XUNH\

The signi¿cative meaning of things, the nominal meaning of things,

intention, and viewpoint: if human history is studied closely, it is seen
that men have constructed on the meanings ascribed to these four
phrases their philosophies of life, their points of view, their choices and
what they accept, their denials and corruption, their endeavours and
zeal, and their destruction and devastation. It may be said even that
these four phrases are the codes for either winning or losing eternal life.

Prof. Dr. Nabila Lubis

Indonesia

The Risale-i Nur does not any longer belong only to Turkey; it belongs
to the whole world. For example, we in Indonesia pro¿t from it and use it
as a source for many articles and writings. 16 symposiums and confer-
ences about Said Nursi and the Risale-i Nur have been held in Indone-
sian universities.
The Risale has been translated into Indonesian. I myself translated the
¿nal section of Said Nursi’s biography from Arabic into Indonesian.

3URI'U-XYDQQL<DK\D&DEDOOHUR
Asian Academy University, Philippiness

I must tell you that I am new Muslim. In our country being a new Mus-
lim becomes very dif¿cult especially you have no one to guide and
inspire you. Indeed I am thankful and praising Allah endlessly be-
cause he made my path me through the Risale-i Nur and made me
meet faithful brothers and sisters “abis” and “ablas” in the “dershane”
were been showing the best character of ideal Muslims. In Min-
danao if you only look at Islam as practiced by the local people who
identify themselves as Muslims sometimes you will be discouraged.
Had I not been introduced to the Risale-i Nur, perhaps I will end up
either being an extremist or being an apostate. I feel very fortu-
nate that Allah introduced me to “Üstad Bediüzzaman Said Nursi”.

21
6(66,216

Prof. Dr. Norton Mezvinsky, Connecticut University, USA, Prof. Dr. Nagi Abdalbasit Hadhoud, Zeqaziq Uni., EGYPT, Dr. Wilhelmus 9alkenberg,
Loyola Uni., USA, øman Ali Lagha, -inan University, LEBANON, Tubanur Yeúilhark, Durham Un,iversity, ENGLAND

Dr. Najib Ali Abdallah al-Sudi, Taiz Uni. YEMEN, Prof. Dr. Bilal KuúpÕnar, Ahlia University, BAHRAIN, Prof. Dr. Thomas Michel, Georgetown Uni-
versity, USA, Prof. Dr. ùener DøLEK, øn|nü University, TURKEY

Maher Alhendi, El-Fethu’l-øslami Institute, SYRIA, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akgündüz, Rotterdam Islamic Uni., HOLLAND, Prof. Dr. Moneera Mohammed
Al-Moreb, Hkil University, SAUDI ARABIA, Dr. Abdelhaadi Dahhani, ùuayb ed-Dukkalv Uni. MOROCCO

22
4 - 5 OCTOBER 2010, WOW HOTEL

Prof. Dr. Andi Faisal Bakti, Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic Uni., INDONESIA, Prof. Dr. Mozahem Allawi ùahiri, Lahay University, IRAQ, Dr. Hasan
Horkuc, Durham University, Dr. Hatice Arpaguú, Marmara University, TURKEY

Dr. Khadija Muhammed Aljizani, Ümmü’l-Kurk Uni. SAUDI ARABIA, Prof. Dr. Bilal KuúpÕnar, Ahlia University, BAHRAIN, Dr. Benaouda Bensaid,
Islamic University of Malaysia, MALEZYA, Prof. Dr. Ammar Djidal, University of Algeria, ALGERIA, Prof. Dr. Andi Faisal Bakti, Syarif Hidayatullah
Islamic Uni., INDONESIA

Prof. Dr. øbrahim Coúkun, Dicle Uni. TURKEY, Prof. Dr. Dimitri 9asilyev, Russia Sciences Academy, RUSSIA, Halil K|prücüo÷lu, TURKEY, Prof.
Dr. Servet Arma÷an, Istanbul University, TURKEY. Dr. Abdurrahim Budlal, I. Muhammed University, MOROCCO, Dr. Muhammed Arraougi, 9.
Muhammed University, MOROCCO
23
6(66,216

Dr. Abdellah Eljihad, II. Hasan Uni. MOROCCO, Dr. -alal -alalizadeh, Tahran Uni. IRAN, Prof. Dr. Syed Farid ALATAS, Singapur National Univer-
sity, SINGAPORE, Dr. Emad Abdallah Sharifeen, Yermuk Uni. -ORDAN, Elmira Akhmetova, IAIS, MALAYSIA

Dr. Eron Manusov, Florida State Uni. USA, Dr. Furkan AydÕner, Florida State Uni. USA, Dr. Yahya Dkhi eú-Shatnawi, Yermuk University, -OR-
DAN, Doç. Dr. Laila Mohammad Ali -umuah, Musul Uni. IRAQ, Dr. Abdulrehman Omar Mohamad, Suran University, IRAQ

Young Acamics Session

Elmira Akhmetova, IAIS, MALEZYA, Salih SayÕlgan, Alberta University, CANADA, Prof. Dr. David -. Goa, Alberta University, CANADA, Zeyneb
SayÕlgan, Georgetown University, USA, Norshahril Bin Saat, Singapur National University, SINGAPORE

24
4 - 5 OCTOBER 2010, WOW HOTEL

Young Academics Session

Dusmamat Karimov, Durham University, ENGLAND, Tubanur Yeúilhark, Durham University, ENGLAND, Dr. Lina Stas, Fethi øslam University,
SYRIA, Prof. Dr. David -. Goa, Alberta University, CANADA, Suendam Birinci, Harford Seminary, USA, Hüseyin KURT, Hartford Seminary, USA

Dr. Asror Yusuf, Kediri University, INDONESIA, Dr. Mohammad Ebrahim Roushanzamir, Razavi Islamic University, IRAN, Prof. Dr. Moneera
Mohammed Moreb, Hail Üniversitesi, SAUDI ARABIA, Prof. Dr. Neúet Toku, YÕldÕz Technical University, TURKEY, Dr. Fares Abdallah Bader Al-
Ruhawi, Iraq Education Institue, IRAQ, Dr. Hamid Samir, II.Hasan Uni. MOROCCO, Dr. Mohsen Nouraei, Razavi Islamic University, IRAN

Prof. Dr. Syed Farid Alatas Prof. Dr. Ammar Djidal Prof. Dr. Colin Turner 3URI'UøEUDKLP$EX5DEL

25
6(66,216

Hamza Koçak, Yüzüncü YÕl University, TURKEY, -uvanni Yahya A. Caballero, Mindanao Un, PHILIPPINESS, Dr. øyad Fevzi Hamdan, Sudan Uni.
SUDAN, Prof. Dr. Yahya Al-Cheikh Saleh, Kosantine University, ALGERIA, Dr. Muzaffer Iqbal, Islam and Science Center, CANADA, Suendam
Birinci, Hartford Seminary, USA

Dr. Tariq Awrahim, Salahuddin Uni. IRAQ, Norshahril Bin Saat, National University of Singapore, SINGAPORE, Dr. Sayed Abdul Muneem Pasha,
National Islamic University of India, INDIA, Dr. øyad Fevzi Hamdan, Sudan Uni. SUDAN, Dr. Zubair Hudawi, -awaharlal Nehru University, INDIA, A
Ossama Abou Elabbas Abdel Halim Shahwan, EGYPT

Prof. Dr. David -. Goa, Alberta University, CANADA, Prof. Dr. Mohammad el-Benayadi, Sidi Mohammed bin Abdillah Uni., MOROCCO, Dr. Ab-
derrahman Eladraoui, Mevlk Süleyman Uni., MOROCCO, Dr. Said Al-Ghazawi, MOROCCO, DDr. Laila Mohammad Ali -umuah, Musul Uni, IRAQ
63(&,$/6(66,21)251856,¶6/,9,1*678'(176

Nursi’s Students: Mehmet FÕrÕncÕ, Said Özdemir, Mustafa Sungur, Abdullah Ye÷in, Salih Özcan and Abdulkadir BadÕllÕ

Said Nursi’s Students gave a talk to the audience at the last special session.

Big Attention to the Sessions Live, from the Symposium Area

In the Coffee and Tea Breaks the Attenders Found The Opportunity to talk to the Presentators

27
 Message from Fethullah Gülen
Dear Distinguished Representatives of the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, respected
members of the Executive Committee, esteemed scholars who contributed to this symposium with
their papers, and precious guests, I am deeply saddened by not being present among you for the
Ninth International Bediuzzaman Symposium organized under the title “The Risale-i Nur’s Perspec-
tive on Knowledge, Faith, Morality, and the Future of Humankind.”

I present my congratulations and thanks to the organizing committee, the academicians who pre-
pared presentations, all the observers and attendees for contributing to this highly important and
valuable scholarly program elaborating on the topic “The Place and Role of Knowledge, Faith and
Morality for a Better Future of Humankind,” that deals with the contemporary issues today’s people
face and Bediuzzaman’s suggestions of solutions. As you know, the safest way to reach Truth of
Truths is the “love of truth,” which could be de¿ned as the excitement, effort, enthusiasm, and pas-
sion of reaching and grasping the essence of anything by shattering causality, material, and even
existence. One face of such love of truth is constituted of “knowledge,” another face is of “faith and
morality.”

A person of truth who is passionately in love with the virtue of examining and interpreting issues
of the time on one hand with depth of faith and morality and on the other hand and a correct ob-
servation of the natural law, is the one who sees, thinks, and acts with the entire faculties of his
conscience. Such is a person of heart, reÀecting mercy with all behaviors, kindness with words and
speech, and all manners. The ultimate goal of someone reÀecting these qualities is to carry every
soul to exist in the eternal realm and serve all the elixir of eternity. Such a person is often busy with
planning the happiness of others in spite of physical troubles he faces, producing projects for the
peace and prosperity of the society to which he belongs, who has a prophetic soul much troubled
with miseries and squalor surrounding all of humanity.

Bediuzzaman, who lived a simple life in appearance, is among the monumental personages of such
a “love of truth.” He always presented a vast character in his life of thought and action. He became a
leading example through the qualities he reÀected such as embracing the entire humanity regarding
the most vital issues; his revulsion towards denial, tyranny, and heresy; his ¿ght against despotism
everywhere, even his loyalty and courage not to be scared of death threats and welcoming death
with a smile. Besides being a person of depth and consciousness, he always had a Book and Sun-
nah centered approach reÀecting knowledge, thought, and logic dealing with affairs regarding his
mission. While being a profound person of conscience, an example of a deep love and excitement,
and a person of courage, his work proves that he was greatly balanced, more farsighted than his
contemporaries, and a sound thinker that could produce major plans and projects of guidance. From
the earliest works he produced in his youth, which are seen as the initial breaths of an extraordinary
intelligence, to his works of adulthood, which is matured and developed through much suffering
he faced at courts, jails and exiles, he kept his outstanding stance and always spoke ingeniously.
Those who investigate our teacher Bediuzzaman and his works constituting his legacy will observe
all depths of brilliance and witness that he suggested unique remedies for the generations which
will walk toward their future on the basis of knowledge, faith, and morality in their broadest sense.

With these emotions, while wishing this segment of the International Bediuzzaman Symposiums
to be completed with success, I present my greetings and appreciation to the Istanbul Foundation
for Science and Culture, together with my deepest respect to these very valuable scholars and all
guests. I believe, like earlier ones, this Symposium, will be a great contribution towards building a
better understanding of a life style pleasing God, an important service towards humanity’s attain-
ment to worldly and eternal happiness, and towards building a much better world.

M. Fethullah Gülen

28
SYMPOSIUM NEWS
IN TURKISH MEDIA

29
791(:6

30
,17(51(71(:6

31
 FOREIGN MEDIA
NEWS

The second biggest

gazette of Indone-
sia, Republika dis-
coursed on Nursi
symposium in one
page long news
whose title was
³0HQJDQDQJ6DLG
Nursi” (Commemo-
UDWLQJ6DLG1XUVL
Manila Times / Filipinler
1(5,&$&267$¶V$UWLFOH
At the center of the discussions are
the teachings of Bediuzzaman Said
Nur (1878 to 1960), a Muslim Otto-
man scholar and theologian. Said
Nur wrote the Risali-e Nur, a stag-
gering body of Quaranic commen-
tary exceeding 6,000 pages, which
now serve as guide for thousands of
religious scholars of different faiths,
theology students, peace advoca-
tes and political leaders in over 40
countries around the world.
The Risali-e Nur speaks of compas-
sion and tolerance—and the embra-
cing of a common humanity beyond
the outward identities or boundaries
of religion, ethnicity or culture. For
too long, people have de¿ned them-
selves with markers that differentia-
te them from others, instead of thre-
ads that bind all peoples in mutual
respect and compassion.
According to the
news, the Nursi sym-
posium was followed
by thousands of peo-
ple around the world.
Based on an interview
with Prof. Faris Kaya
the newspaper stated
the aim of the symposium as introducing Said Nursi’s ideas to
the whole world. It is because these ideas can play a signi¿cant
role in attaining global peace, told Prof. Kaya. Among the news
in the gazette was that 245 people sent papers and 105 of them
were selected. It was mentioned that two scholars from Indo-
nesia participated into the symposium; and according to Prof.
Andi Faisal, one of the methods of Nursi for calling to Islam was
the “tongues of disposition” (lisan-i hal).
Mentioning that the deputy PM o fTurkey Bulent Arinc and the
secretary general of -ustice and Development Party Huseyin
Celik gave speeches at the symposium, the news ended with 3
paragraphs which introduced Said Nursi and the Risale-i Nur.
A long journal penned in Russian by Abdullah Renat
Muhametov on one of the foremost Russian web sites,
www.islam.ru
You can reach the journal from the following link:
http://www.islam.ru/pressclub/tema/otnurqrus/
32
 )(('%$&.6$)7(57+(6<0326,80

'U0LFKDHO-/HQDJKDQ
Miami Dade College, MIAMI, ABD

I was humbled by the profundity, provocativity, authenticity

and honesty of my confreres. I was enlightened, enlivened
and endeared by a deeper and wider understanding of the
life, writings and exemplary person who was Bediouzza-
man Said Nursi. I was heartened by the response, especially
among youthful (young and young at heart) participants to my
modest paper. And I hope to advance the concept of “con-
necting people to peace through service” among a dynamic
and determined network encountered in the precious sympo-
sium, as already evidenced by recent e-mail communication.
I plan self-education by completing the marvelous collection
of literature you shared before I departed from Istanbul. I will
share the collection within my local Muslim community as well
as widely in the College library when I have completed my
reading and reÀection.

Prof. Dr. David Goa

Alberta Üniversitesi, KANADA

I appreciate so very much the invitation to the conference

and the opportunity to meet many new and ¿ne colleagues
and learn from their reÀections, work with some students, talk
about issues and themes close to my heart and enjoy the
wonderful hospitality unfolding in your part of the Islamic re-
naissance.

While I have been in Istanbul before and had the pleasure of

hosting Nursi scholars in Canada this last year attending the
conference last week vividly brought the following to the fore:

The Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture is leading

the way in seeing that Said Nursi’s understanding of Islam
has a signi¿cant impact in all parts of the Muslim world and
well beyond;

The Nur movement, through the Foundation’s work, has spoken to the minds and hearts of so
many young people and drawn them into a renewed understanding of their faith and a deepening
sense of responsibility for our fragile world, helping them in the recovery of sustainable spiritual
disciplines and a hospitable stance, a stance without fear, toward all others;

The Istanbul Foundation has a sense of purpose making it possible to cultivate knowledge and
understanding of Said Nursi among academics, in the public square, and with Muslims and other
religious communities and does so with a grace and humility and discipline that I admire deeply
and leads me to rise up and call you blessed. May your work Àourish beyond measure.

33
 )(('%$&.6$)7(57+(6<0326,80

(OPLUD$NKPHWRYD,,800$/$<6,$

International Nursi Symposiums became a platform for productive engagements among world-
wide known academicians, young scholars, students from different dicsiplines as well as common
Nursi readers from all over the world. Days of 9th Nursi Symposium were full of exchanging ideas,
becaming acquainted with new scholars in the ¿eld,
listening to the inspiring presentations of fasmous
academicians and obtaining more knowledge about
the personality of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi as well.
Among the most important features of the Sympo-
sium were the variety of topics discussed and geo-
graphical coverage of scholars attending the event.
Youth panel was of particular importance as the
younger students of Nursi were given opportunity
to express their ideas, engage in scholarly discus-
sions, interact with renowned scholars in the ¿eld
and learn from them. As a young scholar in Nursi
studies, I personally found the Symposium very
helpful in obtaining more information and knowl-
edge. Special thanks go to the event organizers,
who were very helpful and amazingly hospitable,
who made it easy for the participants to attend,
present their papers and leave Istanbul delighted.
I pray for the continuance of learning of brilliant thoughts of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi through or-
ganizing such International Workshops and Conferences in future.

ence “Knowledge, Faith, Morality and the Future

Dr. Benaouda Bensaid
International Islamic University, ing and helping.
0$/$<6,$
I am now back to Malaysia. I am still shar-
ing the good and wonderful stories with
friends and family about the great confer-
of Humanity” held recently in Istanbul, October 4-5
2010.
In my judgment, this event was not a conference
in the conventional sense, but rather an Ummatic
meeting full of all genuine and lively meanings of
brotherhood, sincerity, love and humanity.
The meeting was amazing. It did not only provide
us with new and fresh perspectives on Nursi’s
thought and methodology of reform, but also with
real life example of brotherhood, happiness and
care. The organizing committee team did great
job. May Allah taala bless them all. I could see on
occasions that they were tired, especially in the
evenings, but they continuously kept smiling, serv-
I thank you all for the great work you have accom-
plished. I pray to God Almighty to reward you the
best in both this world and in the life to come.
Please keep up the good work.

34
 )(('%$&.6$)7(57+(6<0326,80

3URI'U%LODO.XúSÕQDU
Ahlia University, %$+5$,1

No need to express this. But, as usual, in this

symposium both while I was preparing my paper
and during the sessions I tried to bene¿t from this
program to the furthest extent. After all, Haঌrat
Bediuzzaman’s succor is the light of this endea-
vor. May our Mawla (Master) increase our insight,
conviction, and wisdom so that we can guide our
young student brothers duly.

With regards, love and du’as«

1RUVKDKULO%LQ6DDW
1DWLRQDO8QLYHUVLW\RI6LQJDSRUH6,1*$325(

I have safely arrived in Singapore from Istanbul. I would like to

congratulate the both of you ( and the organizing committee) for
organizing such a successful Said Nursi Symposium. I have tru-
ely benef¿ted from the papers that were presented. I appreciate
the amount of hard work put in by the organizers and all of you
did an excellent job.
My participation in the conference has raised my interest in the
subject matter even more, and I wish to pursue the it further. I
also had a great session with the youth panel, the one chaired
by Prof David Goa. In my opinion, the participation of the young
scholars in the conference impresses me. I hope this will be a
continous effort.

'U,\DG)HY]L+DPGDQ
6FLHQFHDQG7HFKQRORJ\8QLYHUVLW\RI
6XGDQ68'$1

-ust as the Ottomans have reached many count-

ries during the era of the caliphate, Said Nursi
and his bright students also have reached the
hearts of millions of people today outreaching
the cultural, ethnic, and religious differences.
They started to open the doors of spiritual, moral,
and ƯmƗnƯ (related to belief) dimensions of those
hearts. By this way, I ask mercy and compassion
for Ustadh Said Nursi from Allah, Al-’Aliyy (The
Sublime) and Al-QƗdir (The Omnipotent); and I
pray faithfully for his students for success and for
staying in the straight path.
 Hope to see you
at the 10th Symposium
in 2013…

BaskÕ: Mega BasÕm 0212 412 17 00

www.sempozyum2010.com
www.nursistudies.com
www.nuronline.com
www.nursistudies.com