At the Istanbul Science and Culture Foundation (İİKV), the results of the 13th International Bediuzzaman Symposium, its international impact, and future goals were shared with the Board of Trustees. During the meeting, the symposium’s contributions to strengthening brotherhood and affection in the Islamic world, raising the profile of the Risale-i Nur in academic circles, and advancing the foundation’s institutional efforts were highlighted.
The meeting also focused on developing new projects based on the symposium’s experience, strengthening international collaborations, supporting the academic and professional development of young people, and ensuring the sustainability of the foundation’s institutional activities.
The symposium’s success strategies and overall results were evaluated
Ünal Akyüz provided information on the success strategies and overall outcomes of the 13th International Bediuzzaman Symposium. He noted that current topics such as artificial intelligence, family, art, wars, and the economy had increased interest in the symposium, and that the artificial intelligence forums, in particular, were very well-attended.
He emphasized that the symposium’s success was due not only to the support of the board of trustees and the trust placed in the foundation’s staff but also to the strong communication established with various communities and sister foundations, consultations with Western academics and the Arabic Scientific Committee, as well as the healthy relationships established with government and political institutions. Kalyon stated that the professional efforts carried out in collaboration with PGM and the Foundation’s network of partners, the competence of the academic coordination committee, the contributions of volunteers, and the unifying and motivating leadership of Foundation President Said Yüce also played a significant role in the success.
Referring to the overall achievements of the symposium, Akyüz noted that the event strengthened unity and affection among the Islamic world and the followers of Nur, and reinforced the IIKV’s mission in the academic and international spheres. He also noted that it contributed to bringing Bediüzzaman Said Nursî and the Risale-i Nur back into the spotlight in Turkey and around the world, and to ensuring that their messages to the Islamic world resonated with a broader audience.
Sharing the foundation’s goals for the coming period, Akyüz emphasized the need to develop the symposia into a global platform, increase academic collaborations with universities, and strengthen the foundation’s international activities. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of expanding the IIKV’s physical capacity, reestablishing the English language unit, and expanding the Arabic language unit.
Mustafa Tuna, meanwhile, explained that he became involved in the symposium’s work through the translation of the website into English. Noting that English-language papers came primarily from Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, Tuna emphasized that previously established collaborations and ongoing relationships made a significant contribution to the symposium’s success.
Pointing out the need to increase participation from the Western world, Tuna stated that the West should not be viewed as consisting solely of non-Muslim circles, noting that there are significant Islamic communities in those regions. He highlighted the importance of continuing professional efforts to reach these communities.
Suggesting that invitations be sent at least one year in advance to ensure the participation of prominent scholars in future symposia, Tuna noted that it would be beneficial to include practical programs, such as workshops, in addition to academic presentations.
Arabic Presentations and International Diplomatic Participation
In his assessment of the Arabic section’s work, Abdurrahman Seyitoğlu noted that Arabic-language papers did not come solely from Arab countries; submissions were also received from various other nations, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Spain, and Switzerland.
Seyitoğlu reported that approximately 400 papers were submitted in Arabic, noting that those from Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt constituted a significant portion. Seyitoğlu noted that 118 papers were presented as part of the symposium, adding that both in-person and online sessions were held.
Emphasizing that the symposium also attracted interest from diplomatic circles, Seyitoğlu said that prominent figures—such as the Syrian Minister of Endowments, the former Prime Minister of Morocco, and the rectors of various universities—participated in the program. He reported that the Syrian Minister of Endowments stated he would share the symposium’s findings in Syria and would make every effort to have the Risale-i Nur published there.
Noting that the symposium received extensive coverage in the Arab media, Seyitoğlu mentioned that news reports were published in various outlets, including established news organizations such as Al Jazeera.
The symposium’s media reach extended to millions
Hulusi Oflaz shared information regarding the symposium’s media and promotional efforts. Oflaz noted that a unified corporate language and visual identity were used in three languages—Turkish, Arabic, and English—and stated that promotional activities were carried out at various locations throughout Istanbul.
Oflaz reported that advertising campaigns on the Marmaray, tram, and high-speed rail lines continued even a month after the symposium, adding that posts shared on the social media accounts of figures such as Dursun Ali Erzincanlı, Serdar Tuncer, Ömer Demirağ, and İhsan Şenocak had contributed to the event’s visibility through posts on their social media accounts.
Oflaz noted that the total number of views for the symposium’s content reached 5 million and stated that 104 news articles were published on 58 different websites. He added that efforts to promote the symposium across more platforms would continue.
Message of Support for New Projects from the İİKV
In his speech addressed to foundation staff and project teams, Veysel Bakgör expressed that they were ready to provide financial support while encouraging the development of new projects. Emphasizing that the team, united around the same goals and objectives, operates with a spirit of brotherhood, Bakgör noted that the staff could take on significant responsibilities in the foundation’s future.
Stating that the symposium was not merely an academic event but also served as an important gathering that brought together Nur students who have been serving for many years, Bakgör said that these efforts must continue. Pointing out that the symposium strengthened camaraderie, energy, and brotherhood, he suggested that national and international initiatives could be evaluated as separate programs.
Bakgör also noted that it might be beneficial to re-engage individuals who had previously played active roles in the service and to organize regional symposia in countries such as Indonesia.
The Efforts of Volunteers and the Development of Youth
Bayram Özer thanked everyone who contributed to the successful completion of the symposium and highlighted the professional work of the volunteer team. Suggesting that certificates of participation be issued to volunteers serving in an international organization, Özer noted that these certificates would enhance young people’s résumés. He also raised the idea of examining the manner in which volunteers are integrated into organizational processes through an academic study and transforming it into a systematic model.
Medine Okur provided information on the distribution of tasks and work processes for volunteers within the organization. Okur reported that positive feedback had been received from young people regarding the symposium’s professional organizational structure, noting that some young people described the IIKV as “an institution that understands me.”
Zehranur Sarıoğlu, a member of the symposium’s media team, expressed her satisfaction at being part of the organization and thanked everyone who contributed. Rüvaydanur Şafaklar also thanked everyone who contributed and stated that she would be working in the IIKV’s English-language unit.
Rıfat Fidan, meanwhile, thanked the board of trustees for their efforts and expressed his satisfaction that the symposium had concluded successfully and without a hitch. Fidan emphasized the importance of supporting young people’s academic and career development through the “Young Executive” initiative.
New Steps Toward Bringing Risale-i Nur into the Academic World
Mehmet Ali Gündoğdu highlighted two key achievements of the symposium. He stated that the first was to contribute to strengthening brotherhood and affection in the Islamic world, and the second was to take a significant step toward increasing the recognition of the Risale-i Nur in the academic world.
Gündoğdu proposed developing partnerships with higher education institutions such as Yıldız Technical University, Ibn Khaldun University, Bitlis Eren University, and Süleyman Demirel University in line with this goal. He noted that academic partnerships established between the İİKV and universities would help ensure that research and studies on the Risale-i Nur proceed on an institutional foundation.
Said Yüce also emphasized the need to set new goals following the symposium and to build upon the achievements made. He stated that the symposium contributed to unity among Nur students and served as an opportunity to overcome conflicts between different groups.
Noting that the interest shown by government officials in the symposium helped overcome prejudices, Yüce said that the institutional identity of the İİKV must be strengthened and the sustainability of its work ensured. He also highlighted the importance of developing special projects aimed at making the Risale-i Nur accessible to and studied by a wider audience in the Western world.
The symposium strengthened the sense of brotherhood and unity in the Islamic world
Tarık Sağlam described the symposium as an important gathering where people from different countries came together in a sincere atmosphere, reminiscent of the idea of Islamic unity (İttihad-ı İslam).
Quoting Dr. Yusuf from Erbil, who visited our foundation after the symposium, Sağlam noted that Dr. Yusuf had previously viewed Islamic unity as impossible, but after witnessing the warm atmosphere created by the event, his belief that it could be realized in the near future had been strengthened.
Zübeyir Birgeoğlu emphasized that everyone involved in preparing the symposium had worked selflessly and without any sense of self-interest, and he thanked all those who contributed. Noting that work must continue with the same enthusiasm and determination, Birgeoğlu pointed out that expectations for the next symposium would be even higher.
New Goals for the Coming Period
Speakers at the meeting shared their views on the need to make the symposium’s achievements permanent and to support them with new projects. Zahid Koçbay noted that the İİKV is recognized as an institution that organizes international symposia among Nur students and suggested that similar initiatives be effectively carried out domestically as well.
Key points raised during the evaluations included addressing national and international organizations within separate programs, increasing efforts directed toward the Western world, organizing regional symposia in different countries, developing academic collaborations with universities, and strengthening projects aimed at nurturing young people.
This evaluation meeting, held following the 13th International Bediüzzaman Symposium, demonstrated that the symposium was not merely an academic gathering; but also an important initiative that strengthens bonds of brotherhood, fosters communication across different regions, and paves the way for the Risale-i Nur to be discussed on a broader platform within the academic world. The views shared at the meeting reflected a shared commitment to building on the achievements through new projects and to steadfastly continuing the İİKV’s work at both the national and international levels.
