Üsküdar University is hosting an important organization that will bring psychology and Islamic thought together on an international academic platform. The “International Conference on Islam and Psychology,” organized under the leadership of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform in cooperation with the International Association of Islamic Psychology Students, is being held between September 9-11, 2026, at Üsküdar University Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
The opening of the three-day conference began with a recitation of the Holy Quran.
Prof. Tarhan: “We can see the existence of our soul with the eye of reason”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, who delivered the opening speech, said, “A crisis has been ongoing between Islam and psychology for approximately 200 years. Many schools of psychology rejected Islam’s concept of the soul, the heart, and especially the human being. They regarded humans as merely worldly beings, viewing the soul as unproven and unscientific.”
Tarhan stated that scientific developments, especially regarding quantum physics and the working mechanism of the brain, have brought a different perspective, adding, “Recently, with the emergence of quantum physics and the understanding of how the human brain works, new results have emerged. We can see the existence of our soul with the eye of reason.”
“Neurotheology shows that reason and revelation can be evaluated together”
Prof. Tarhan, who presented a paper under the title “Neurotheology,” stated that he brought this concept to the agenda in Turkey in the late 2000s, adding that the concept was misunderstood in its early stages.
Tarhan said, “Neurotheology presents itself as a scientific discipline demonstrating that religion and the belief in monotheism are rational,” and stated that reason and revelation should not be considered as opposites.
“Pleasure is short-term, happiness is long-term”
Tarhan, who showed a video about the difference between pleasure and happiness in his presentation, stated that modern life culture confuses these two concepts.
Tarhan said, “We confuse pleasure and delight with happiness. Delight is short-term, happiness is long-term. Hedonism is presented as a life philosophy. The lifestyle taught to us by capitalism and Western culture has largely become pleasure-oriented.”
Tarhan stated that neuroscience studies have also revealed new information in understanding the difference between pleasure and happiness, adding, “The human brain is not created solely for a dopamine-focused life. Dopamine is more associated with pleasure, while serotonin is related to meaning and more lasting happiness.”
“Ancient culture is being recalled”
Tarhan argued that interest in ancient cultures and spiritual sources has increased recently in the Western world, and said that studies are being conducted in this direction in psychology and psychiatry circles as well.
Tarhan said, “In America, many books have begun to be published in psychiatry and psychology circles with the approach of ‘We have neglected ancient culture, let's revive it.’ When we say ancient culture, the knowledge taught to us by names such as Mevlana, Muhyiddin Arabi, Ibn Sina, and Farabi is also included in this.”
“I think Western philosophy is about to discover the Holy Quran”
Tarhan stated that scientific developments have brought a new perspective to the relationship between religion and science, adding, “I think Western philosophy is about to discover the Holy Quran. In this era, scientific robustness has come to the forefront. I believe that Monotheism and the Holy Quran will be better understood with scientific robustness.”
“Money cannot buy happiness”
Prof. Tarhan also included some statistics comparing economic growth and happiness levels in the USA in his presentation.
Tarhan noted that despite the increase in national income, happiness levels did not rise at the same rate, saying, “Economic income is rising, but happiness does not increase in the same way, and even decreases in some periods. In other words, money cannot buy happiness.”
“Loneliness among youth is at striking levels”
Tarhan also referred to a large-scale loneliness study conducted by the BBC and the University of Manchester, stating that the levels of loneliness among young people are striking.
According to the research results he presented, Tarhan stated that loneliness in the 16-24 age group was higher than in older age groups, and drew attention to the fact that increasing digitalization among young people reduces face-to-face communication.
Drew attention to depression and suicide data
Tarhan, who also included some American statistics on depression, self-harm, and suicidal behavior in his presentation, stated that a significant increase in mental health problems has been observed, especially since the 2010s.
Tarhan said, “We see an extraordinary increase in major depression and depressive symptoms, especially after 2010. There is also a significant jump in suicide statistics, especially since 2011.”
Tarhan also mentioned the World Health Organization’s suicide prevention programs and drew attention to the importance of preventive mental health studies.
Drew attention to three critical variables
Tarhan stated that there are three important variables behind the mental problems experienced by modern humans, listing them as secularism, narcissism, and materialism.
Prof. Tarhan said, “Firstly, worldliness, namely secularism. Secondly, narcissism; the prominence of success, physical comfort, arrogance, and competitiveness. And thirdly, materialism. This approach, which affects social and spiritual life, can now be fueled not only by ignorance but also by the misinterpretation of scientific thought.”
Drew attention to the concept of “heart” in the Quran
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the concept of the heart in the Holy Quran should not be considered merely as an anatomical organ, and drew attention to the limbic regions of the brain related to the world of emotions.
Tarhan reminded that the human eye can perceive only a narrow part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and said that existence cannot be explained solely through the five senses.
“Our brain works with a network”
Prof. Tarhan stated that the brain is a network system working on the principle of connectivity, and noted that artificial neural networks are also inspired by the way the human brain works.
Prof. Tarhan, who also touched upon artificial intelligence and probabilistic computation models, said that the belief in monotheism could be discussed through these models.
Tarhan, likening the relationship between the brain and the soul to the hardware and software structure of a computer, stated that humans cannot be explained solely by their material structure.
“Islam and psychology complement each other”
Prof. Tarhan, who also evaluated psychiatric illnesses through the relationship between matter and meaning, said that some mental illnesses can be addressed through disruptions in brain circuits along with ruptures in the human world of meaning.
Prof. Tarhan said, “In psychiatric illnesses, the connection between the material world and the spiritual world can be severed, and brain circuits can be disrupted. For this reason, we see here that Islam and psychology complement each other.”
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that there is a much broader discussion area regarding neurotheology’s contributions to mental health, and noted that in his presentation, he aimed to provide an introduction that would specifically address objections raised in this field.
Prof. Mehmet Zelka: “Humanity’s quest for peace, happiness, and meaning continues”
President of Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) Prof. Mehmet Zelka said that developments in science and technology have significantly eased human life, but humanity’s psychological and spiritual needs continue.
Prof. Zelka stated that modern humans face various problems, adding, “Despite all these developments, humanity’s quest for peace, happiness, and meaning continues.
Modern humans face loneliness, anxiety, stress, depression, family problems, and various difficulties in social relationships.”
Prof. Zelka noted that with these problems, the need for psychological and psychiatric support has become increasingly visible.
“There is an important meeting ground between Islam and psychology”
Prof. Zelka pointed out that the spiritual aspect of human beings should also be evaluated, and said, “One of the important questions to be asked today is: How can the scientific accumulation of contemporary psychology and Islam’s understanding of human beings, soul, heart, self (nafs), and spirituality be brought together?”
Prof. Zelka drew attention to Islam’s centuries-old accumulation of knowledge on human beings and spirituality, and said, “In our opinion, this rich accumulation of knowledge on humanity and spirituality that Islam has built over centuries can provide significant contributions to contemporary psychology for a more holistic understanding of human beings.”
Prof. Zelka used the expressions, “Faith, worship, prayer, remembrance (dhikr), patience, gratitude, reliance on God (tawakkul), repentance, hope, forgiveness, and mercy… These are not merely religious concepts, but also concepts closely related to the human world of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.”
Sheikh Nafiullah Ashirov: “It is very important for humans to know who they are”
Sheikh Nafiullah Ashirov, Grand Mufti of the Asian Region, who addressed the participants within the scope of the conference, stated in his speech delivered in Tatar that the theme of the conference was extremely important and that for a person to know who they are is crucial for understanding God’s power.
Ashirov used the expressions, “Humans were given intellect and shown two paths. Both the path of gratitude and the path of denial were shown. If humans use their intellect, they will hopefully choose the path of gratitude.”
Sheikh Nafiullah Ashirov thanked those who contributed to the organization of the conference and extended his best wishes to Üsküdar University.
Rasul Hajiyev: We have a very serious civilization heritage in mental health
Rasul Hajiyev, Board Member of the European Muslims Forum, who spoke at the opening of the conference, noted that the European Muslims Forum operates in 36 countries and stated that the organization attaches importance to scientific research and academic conferences.
Hajiyev stated that there are significant figures in Islamic civilization who have produced important works on human psychology and mental health, and reminded of names such as Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, Ibn Sina, Farabi, and Imam Ghazali.
Hajiyev stated that these scholars left important works concerning the human spiritual world, and added, “It is very important for these researches to continue in the same way in our time. We have a very serious civilization heritage in mental health.”
Prof. İlham Mirac: “The one who knows best the material and spiritual nature of humans is their Creator”
Prof. İlham Mirac, Board Member of Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) and Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, stated that human existence should be approached with its material and spiritual dimensions, and said, “The main subject of our conference is humanity. Who is a human being? What kind of being is it? Just as a letter cannot exist without a scribe, it is equally unthinkable that this magnificent great book of the universe, and man who is a small example of it, could exist without a Creator.”
Prof. Mirac, pointing out the importance of the Holy Quran and Sunnah in understanding the nature of human beings, used the expressions, “According to the principle ‘The one who makes knows, the one who knows speaks,’ the one who knows best the material and spiritual nature of humans is their Creator. The book that informs in the most beautiful way is the Holy Quran, and the teacher who imparts the most beautiful lessons from this book is Prophet Muhammad.”
Fatma Ahmed: “It is very valuable for like-minded people to come together”
In the opening section of the conference, while greetings from Jamaleddin Miri, Co-founder and Executive Director of the International Islamic Psychology Students Platform (ISIP), who could not attend the program due to health reasons, were conveyed to the participants, Vice President Fatma Ahmed also participated in the conference via a video message from Canada.
Fatma Ahmed used the expressions, “I am excited to hear the results that will emerge when people who share the same vision come together and share their talents and knowledge. It is very valuable for like-minded people to come together.”
Following the opening speeches at the conference, a gift presentation and a family photo session were held.
Interdisciplinary perspective on psychology and Islamic thought
The conference aims to address the psychological structure of human beings, mental health, the search for meaning and values, and the intersecting aspects of Islamic thought with psychology from different academic perspectives.
At the conference, which will be held with international participation; topics such as grief from the perspective of Quranic verses, nafs psychology and psychotherapy, the therapeutic potential of religious and Sufi stories, Sufism and psychology, the effects of intention on psychotherapeutic processes, spiritual therapy, and psychological resilience will be discussed.
The three-day conference will conclude on Friday, September 11, with a general evaluation and closing session to be held at Üsküdar University South Campus RİNAP Hall.
