A cooperation protocol was signed between Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Kerim Foundation and Nef Foundation. With this signed protocol, it is aimed to benefit through joint studies on the research of Islamic civilization and Sufi culture, increasing publications in this field, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Speaking at the protocol, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said; 'When we act with sincerity and honesty, Allah will protect and support us.'
The parties gathered at the Nef Foundation Kenan Rifai International Sufi Culture Research Center for the signing ceremony.
At the signing ceremony, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor and Kerim Foundation Board of Trustees Member Cemalnur Sargut, and Nef Foundation Chairman of the Board Erden Timur were at the signing table representing their institutions. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kara, founder of Turkey's first Sufi Studies Library located in Bursa, attended the ceremony from Bursa. Kerim Foundation Chairman of the Board Sait Kayahan, Vice Chairman and Center's Architect Belgin Birol, Ü.Ü. Secretary General Selçuk Uysaler took part in the protocol ceremony. The Ü.Ü. Institute of Sufi Studies was represented by Institute Director Prof. Dr. Elif Erhan, Deputy Institute Director Prof. Dr. Emine Yeniterzi, and Institute of Sufi Studies Faculty Members Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, Dr. Lect. H. Dilek Güldütuna. Some department heads from Üsküdar Üniversitesi, invited guests, and foundation members also participated in the ceremony.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Our efforts and intentions must be right”
Drawing attention to the importance of teamwork in achieving goals at the protocol signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said; “If we proceed by taking concrete steps and determining a roadmap, it will be much more effective. If everyone works with a team spirit while preserving their own identity, the skills required by the 21st century will also be gained more easily. When an ecosystem is created and steps are taken towards a common goal to reach the target, productivity increases, and results are more successful. At this point, Allah's help also comes into play. Allah's help, however, only comes when there is a collective movement, a unity, towards a goal. When acting with a team spirit, destiny also begins to operate in that direction. This is like a spiritual law of psychology. Our duty is at least to enter this path, to take that position. We don't know what the outcome will be, but at least our effort and intention must be right.”
“It should be a collective effort, not individual”
Emphasizing the importance of good intention and good effort, Tarhan said; “We are responsible for striving and serving, the rest belongs to Allah. Indeed, in a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says: 'If you have good intention and good effort, I am your complement.' So, good intention and good effort are essential. What is important here is to show genuine effort. Moreover, it should be a collective effort, not individual, meaning a 'we' effort, not an 'I' effort. If this 'we' effort is provided, invisible help comes. Allah sends two angels to those who act with good intention and good effort. These angels inspire them with good things. However, if a person spoils their intention, those angels withdraw, and Satan comes in their place. Then people start making mistakes. This is where sincerity (ikhlas) is very important.”
“When we act with sincerity and honesty, Allah will protect and support us”
Stating that sincerity (ikhlas) is an intimate bond between Allah and His servant, Tarhan said; “A saying of Junayd of Baghdad deeply affects me, 'Ikhlas is such a secret that an angel does not know it to write it down, nor does Satan know it to spoil it,' says Junayd of Baghdad. Ikhlas is an intimate bond between Allah and His servant. When we act with this sincerity and honesty, Allah will protect and support us.” thus concluding his words.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor Cemalnur Sargut and Nef Foundation Chairman of the Board Erden Timur expressed their happiness with the signed protocol and stated that they hope for good works to be carried out.
Exhibited items and artifacts are part of the Kerim Foundation Meşkûre Sargut Collection, registered with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum…
The Research Center houses two exhibition halls. The first exhibition hall, curated by Burçak Madran, features information screens and panels containing the biographical narrative of Kenan Rifâî (Hz), one of the late Ottoman Sufis. All items and artifacts found here belong to the Kerim Foundation Meşkûre Sargut Collection, registered with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (TİEM). The collection exhibits some Holy Relics, the Holy Beard (Sakal-ı Şerîf), the cover of Rawdah Mutahharah, and the inner and outer covers of Kaaba-i Muazzama. The second exhibition hall, advised by Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, is titled "History of Sufism with Concepts" and includes graphics, objects, and installations that narrate the history of Sufism through concepts. The Center, established by Nef Foundation and managed in collaboration with Kerim Foundation, will hereafter host some courses, programs, and visiting researchers of the Ü.Ü. Institute of Sufi Studies and Üsküdar Üniversitesi.
The Center is open to the public on certain days of the week, and its exhibitions can be visited.
The history of Sufism is narrated through concepts
The second exhibition area features a section titled 'History of Sufism with Concepts', advised by Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, a faculty member at the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies. This exhibition includes graphics, objects, and museum installations that narrate the history of Sufism through concepts. The exhibition, which was met with great interest by participants, was enjoyed by visitors.
Sinan Eker, Head of the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Library and Documentation Department, stated that Üsküdar Üniversitesi's electronic database would be shared with the Center to create a common database.
