During Bediuzzaman's stay in Istanbul, the famous orientalist Alfred Guillaume came to Istanbul University to give a series of five lectures. Muhsin Alev, who was about to graduate from the Philosophy Department, and Ziya Arun, attended the first of them. The visiting orientalist proceeded to deny the Qur'anic verses about "seven heavens", [^54] saying that today astronomy had made great advances and no seven "layers" have been found in the skies or in space; the verse was therefore contrary to science. On their informing Bediuzzaman, he compiled a letter on the subject, from pieces taken from the Risale-i Nur, and the following day they went to the university and distributed copies of it before the lecture. It was read to the orientalist, who is reputed to have cut short his lecture. [^55]

[^54]:Qur'an, 2:29, 67:3, 71:15.

[^55]:Mehmet Fırıncı, in Son Şahitler, iii, 226-7.

That year there were tremendous celebrations for the five hundredth anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul. These reached their climax on 29 May, with the Mehter bands, the traditional military bands of the Ottoman armies, marching in traditional dress and playing original instruments from Topkapi at the city walls to Fatih. The population of Istanbul turned out to watch and follow them. The culmination was a ceremony at the great mosque in Fatih where Fatih Sultan Mehmet's tomb is situated. Here a platform had been erected outside the mosque and tiers of benches for the spectators. When Bediuzzaman arrived he was given a seat of honour on the platform next to the governor of Istanbul, [^56] from where he followed the proceedings with real pleasure, particularly the Mehter bands. [^57]

[^56]:The governor was Fahreddin Gökay, a co-founder with Bediuzzaman of the Green Crescent Society in May, 1920.

[^57]:Muhsin Alev, in Son Şahitler, i, 223; Mehmet Fırıncı, in Son Şahitler, iii, 234.

Although Bediuzzaman was now theoretically free to go where he pleased, he was still constantly watched and followed by the police. Mehmet Fırıncı describes how they were alarmed at losing his traces when he first arrived in Istanbul. After Bediuzzaman moved to the house in Draman, a policeman was permanently posted in front of the house. They told Mehmet Fırıncı, who was questioned at length at Bediuzzaman's staying in his house, "We are responsible for him and have to protect him." [^58] One of Bediuzzaman's visitors there, the chairman of the local branch of the Millet Party, Hüseyin Cahid Payazağa, relates how a chief inspector had been assigned the job of watching the house and noting down all who visited it, Bediuzzaman was followed by police even when going to the mosque, or when making his excursions, Payazağa also writes that they were fright-

[^58]:Ibid., 221.