Students from Virginia Theological Seminary, one of the leading theology schools in the United States, visited the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RINAP) at Üsküdar University as part of their research and learning programs. During the program titled “Academic Event on Said Nursi and Risale-i Nur,” the intellectual world of Said Nursi and the Risale-i Nur Collection were discussed within an academic framework. The students also had the opportunity to ask questions about Said Nursi’s ideas, Islamic theology, and the approach of the Risale-i Nur to the modern world.
The meeting, held within the scope of international academic collaborations and cultural interaction activities, took place at the RINAP Hall on the South Campus.
Academic presentations held at RINAP
Organized by RINAP upon the recommendation and coordination of Assoc. Prof. Hakan Gülerce, a faculty member of the Department of Sociology at Marmara University, the program featured presentations by expert academics. These presentations addressed Said Nursi’s works, the fundamental approaches of the Risale-i Nur Collection, and the perspectives it offers to the contemporary world.
Core principles of the Risale-i Nur Collection discussed
In the first session of the program, Prof. Faris Kaya, a member of the RINAP Executive and Advisory Board, delivered a presentation titled “The Basics in the Risale-i Nur.” He shared comprehensive information on the main concepts, themes, and methodology of the Risale-i Nur Collection.
Said Nursi’s approach to Christianity examined
Following this, Asst. Prof. Nafi Yalçın from the Department of English Translation and Interpreting at Üsküdar University presented “The Concept of Ahl al-Kitab in Islam and Said Nursi’s Approach to Christianity and Christians.” In his presentation, Yalçın evaluated the concept of People of the Book in Islam and Said Nursi’s approach to Christianity from a Quran-centered perspective. The presentation attracted particular interest from theology students.
The role of religion in theory and practice addressed
The final academic presentation of the program was delivered by Prof. İsmail Latif Hacınebioğlu, a faculty member of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Istanbul University Faculty of Theology. In his talk titled “Relevancy of Religion in Relation to Theory and Practice: Recognition and Reception,” Hacınebioğlu examined the theoretical and practical dimensions of religion on a philosophical basis and enriched his presentation with examples from the life of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi.
Participants had the opportunity to ask questions.
Students were able to ask questions about Said Nursi’s ideas, Islamic theology, and the approach of the Risale-i Nur to the modern world.
At the end of the program, guest students and faculty members were presented with English translations of selected works from the Risale-i Nur Collection as commemorative gifts. The students stated that this was their first encounter with Said Nursi and that the experience was highly inspiring for them.
The visit stood as a strong example of Üsküdar University’s commitment to international academic cooperation and intercultural engagement.