it. For the present age has seen the rapid spread of the physical and mathematical sciences and their exploitation by materialists and naturalists, who represent absolute disbelief and recognize no religion. With their numerous and various anti-religious publications, such atheistic currents seek to mislead the youth who study science, and to distance them from belief in God; they threaten all humanity. Certainly, at such a fearsome time, there is intense need for the dissemination and study of a work like the Risale-i Nur.

In the face of the destruction — wrought by atheistic currents — of the inner, moral human faculties, the Risale-i Nur repairs and restores the human being, and gains for believers the mighty, inner strength which proceeds from certain, affirmative belief. It performs this task through the guidance and inspiration of the Qur'an. By teaching reflective thought on the divine works in the universe, it points out the light of divine unity in the very matters the materialists and naturalists have floundered and become submerged. It demonstrates the truths of belief with proofs and comparisons taken from the physical world, and proves them as clearly as the sun in the very matters of science taught in the universities.

In this and many other ways, the Risale-i Nur is a diamond sword in the hands of believers which should be given primary importance at the present time by Muslims and believers. It consists of lessons inspired from the stars of the Qur'an's verses and of universal proofs of knowledge of God, and addresses the needs and understanding of the age.

In this respect, the Risale-i Nur has gained considerable prominence and importance in this country. Our nation for centuries acted as the standard- bearer of the Qur'an and illuminated the world with its religion. Now, once again, it will furnish an example of fine morality and virtue for the world, and will show how humanity may be saved from its present crises. The sole solution for the corruption, anarchy, and destruction that are dealing awesome blows at humanity and are threatening it, are the eternal truths of revealed religion and the reality of Islam. The Risale-i Nur presents to humankind the truth of the Qur'an and Islam supported by sound argument and proof, for its consideration and examination.

The Risale-i Nur's author says in a letter: "I have dedicated my life, not to secondary matters which are the cause of internal partisanship, discord, and dispute, but to the pillars of belief, which are a question of paramount importance for all humanity, and to the truths of belief taught by the Qur'an, which may lead to the happiness of humankind and are the foundation of Islam and bonds of brotherhood." In saying this he was stating that the circle of the Risale-i Nur is so broad and all-embracing as to encom-