showed me the just and equitable way in politics. Also at that time, I was awakened by the Famous Kemal's Dream. [^41]

[^41]:Nursi, "Münâzarat (Ott. edn.)," in Asar-ı Bedi'iyye, 462.

The Famous Kemal mentioned here is Namık Kemal, one of the leading figures of the 19th century Young Ottoman Movement, the main aims of which are reflected in this work of Kemal which Molla Said came across at that time, The Dream. It is written in the form of an address to the nation by a heavenly representative of Freedom. This beautiful, fairy-like symbol of Freedom, which has slipped through the clouds, urges liberation from despotism, struggle in the way of the nation, progress, and the prosperity of the fatherland (vatan). Following this, it outlines the picture of a society and country of the future, which is free, based on the sovereignty of the people, whose citizens are educated, and in which the rights of all and justice in the full meaning of the word are established. [^42]

[^42]:Vasfi Mahir Kocatürk, Büyük Türk Edebiyatı Tarihi, Ankara 1970, 662.

In another place in Münâzarat, Bediuzzaman described himself as:

Someone who for twenty years has followed it [Freedom] in his dreams even, and has abandoned everything because of that passion. [^43]

[^43]:Nursi, Münâzarat, 15.

Thus, it was at this time in Mardin that Molla Said first became aware of the struggle for Freedom and constitutional government which the Young Ottomans had been pursuing since the 1860's. As we shall see in the following chapter, this Freedom was not only enjoined by Islam, but was also the key to progress, and the answer to the question: "How can this State be saved?" Despotism and absolutist government were among the major causes of the dire condition, internal and external, of the Ottoman Empire and Islamic world. Molla Said was to be a champion of Freedom, constitutional government, and the rule of law throughout his life.

Also while in Mardin, Molla Said met two students who were instrumental in broadening his ideas. One was a follower of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, (1255/1839-1315/1897), who in the summer of 1892 was brought to Istanbul by Sultan Abdulhamid in order to use him in furthering his pan-Islamic policies. And the second was a member of the Sanusi Order, which played such an important role against the colonial expansion in North Africa.

Molla Said was also to be a great defender and advocate of Ittihad-ı Islam, that is, Islamic Unity or pan-Islam, and he later wrote: "My predecessors in this matter [of Islamic Unity] are Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, Ali