A Day's Agenda In Indonesia

The founder of the institute, Dr. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasy, mentioned in his opening speech that Said Nursi's thought has become increasingly important and significant for Indonesia and that many academicians have come to write their doctoral and masters thesis on the Risale-i Nur. 

Among the participants at the seminar were Dr. Alparslan Açıkgenç of Ibn Haldun University, Prof. Dr. Ahmat Kayacık of Erciyes University as well as IFSC Executive President Said Yüce.

In his opening speech, Said Yüce expressed his great appreciation and thankfulness for all the academic studies that have been taking place in Indonesia on the thought and work of Said Nursi. He also stated that "The great crisis that is afflicting humanity and the world at large has generally remained untreated. Yet Bediuzzaman Said Nursi offers us all a prescription of medicine from the great pharmacy of the Qur'an for all the spiritual injuries that lie at the heart of our modern world. In addition, he makes it possible for people of our generation to both understand and implement in their lives the same essential understanding and principles reflected in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Those who read these treatises with sincerity will come to eventually reflect the principles of the Sunnah in their lives. Nursi also offers a system and a paradigm of education that focusses on the concept of Tawhid (Divine Unity) that can rescue those whose faith has been eroded by the overly materialist education systems of our time."
 

Prof. Dr. Alparslan Açıkgenç gave the following comments in his presentation:

"Social harmony results in peace and tolerance within the broader society. In particular, it is most important in such a time as ours, where local events have global impacts and where different cultures and peoples' interact at a rapid pace. In my talk I want to firstly explain Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's understanding of the concept of "maneviyat" as well as to look at how he accomplished the Risale-i Nur within such a conceptual framework. The essential nature of the human being and the mentality and forms of individual and social life that arise from it, is something that requires analysis and investigation. All concepts that are relevant to this and their interrelated aspects as expounded in the Risale-i Nur is my topic of concern. The Risale-i Nur's approach to subjects and topics is basically the same method that the Qur'an uses. It is not suffice to simply research such subjects in particular places and areas, but rather instead one has to go through and analyse the entire treatise. In terms of the essential nature of the human being, it is possible to categorise it into four aspects: "Hayvaniyet (Animal/beast nature)", "Beşeriyet (The Human animal/thinking ape)", "Insaniyet (Humanity)", and "Melekiyet (Angelic nature)". The first three aspects of human beings have long been discussed by philosophers. However, the fourth aspect has a spiritual characteristic and thus requires its own special attention and focus."

In his talk, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kayacık talked about "Belief and Perfection of Man in the Modern Age: Perspectives from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi" by referring to the 23rd Word from the Risale-i Nur Collection. Kayacık also talked about the different nature and disposition of animals as compared to human beings as well as their respective aims and goals in the creational scheme.

At the conclusion of the day, the IFSC awarded the the Institute for Study of Islamic Thought and Civilizations with copies of the Risale-i Nur Collection in both English and Arabic.