'East-West Bridge from Ancient to Future' International Project Takes First Steps

The first step was taken in the “East-West Bridge from Ancient to Future” Project by Üsküdar Üniversitesi’s Institute of Sufi Studies, which covers many countries abroad, especially Germany, and also Turkey. The Turkey representation of the project, conducted by the “Interkulturelles Forum zur Förderung des Austausches und der Integration Derneği” located in Germany, was undertaken by Dr. Lecturer Hatice Dilek Güldütuna from Üsküdar Üniversitesi’s Institute of Sufi Studies. 

“The first step of the project was taken at Duisburg- Essen University”

The “East-West Bridge from Ancient to Future” International Project, jointly carried out by the Institute of Sufi Studies, the “Interkulturelles Forum zur Förderung des Austaushes und der Integration” Association in Germany, and the Kerim Foundation, started its activities by taking its first step at Duisburg- Essen University in Germany. The most striking part of the project is that it brought together 60 officially registered participants from various cities in Germany and different countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Bulgaria.

“The project aims to facilitate interaction among Turks living outside Turkey”

The objective of the project, supported by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities in 2022, was stated as creating opportunities for young Turkish generations living in European countries not to forget, but to develop and use Turkish. The project aims to develop communication, interaction, and cooperation networks among Turkish youth living in different countries.

“The project started its activities in its Istanbul leg”

The first activity of the project, planned to be conducted interactively, took place under the coordination of Project Coordinator Dr. Lecturer Hatice Dilek Güldütuna. Within the scope of the event organized with Sufi music, the film “Peaceful Warrior” was evaluated by Kerim Güç, a representative of the Kerim Foundation and a student from the PhD Program in History and Literature of Islamic Civilization Thought. It was stated that training would be organized by Dr. Lecturer Cangüzel Güner Zülfikar and Dr. Lecturer Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, who are Assistant Directors of the Institute of Sufi Studies, in the Istanbul leg of the project.

“Üsküdar Üniversitesi will host the international team within the scope of the project”

The activities, planned to be organized in Istanbul’s historical and cultural venues, aim to offer an opportunity to deeply examine Turkish Islamic history and culture, which also form the foundations of Western culture.

Under the coordination of Dr. Sema Suvarioğlu, who teaches “Sufism and Psychology” at the Institute of Sufi Studies, and Dr. Edibe Nuray Saatci, one of the Institute’s PhD Program students, events are aimed to be organized to increase the cultural accumulation of the young generation and enable them to participate in international platforms.

The project is planned to last 11 months, during which 60 official participants are expected to take courses within the framework of project activities at Üsküdar Üniversitesi and contribute to the work of the project team.