The certificate ceremony for the Islamic Theology and Culture Program, organized in cooperation with Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports Department, Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) and Ukrainian Ternopil University, took place. Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also attended the certificate ceremony of the program, which attracted great interest with the participation of Ukrainian academicians and students. During the ceremony, cultural similarities between the two countries were highlighted, emphasizing that spiritual values can bring people together.
The certificate ceremony held in the Main Campus Senate Hall was attended by Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Board Member Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç, Ternopil University Head of History Department Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska, Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Head of History Department Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Sadık Paksoy, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Selahattin Arslan, Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Board Member and Head of English Translation and Interpreting Department Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın, and the Ukrainian delegation.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Peace Achieved for Centuries Cannot Be Achieved in This Century”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the fact that peace achieved for centuries cannot be achieved in this century, emphasized the concepts in the Holy Quran. Tarhan said; “In the Holy Quran, concepts of mercy, love, and affection are fundamental, while concepts related to fear are exceptions. There is no concept in the Holy Quran that supports violence. The events currently taking place do not comply with the recommendations in the Holy Quran at all. Unfortunately, peace that was achieved for centuries cannot be achieved in this century.”
“Decide by Personally Reading Both the Holy Quran and Risale-i Nur”
Tarhan, emphasizing that Risale-i Nur should be taken as a reference in learning Islam, stated; “Bediüzzaman represents the peaceful aspect of Islam and the concept of jihad. There is an expression he brought to the interpretation of the Holy Quran: 'Positive Action'. He recommends approaching human relations, life, and social relations with a positive action method. There is an interpretation of the Holy Quran that suits the understanding of this age. My best advice to you is to decide by personally reading both the Holy Quran and Risale-i Nur. The first advice of these books is to be at peace with ourselves, to discipline our ego. If you want to understand humanity and happiness in both worlds, the formula is in these books. One feature of Risale-i Nur is that it combines religious sciences with natural sciences, approaching with a holistic science. The most important concept it proves is the concept of tawhid (oneness of God). There are 4,300 religions in the world, and among them, the belief in tawhid creates the ideal concept of God.”
Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska: “We Can Come Together With Our Spiritual Values”
Ternopil University Head of History Department Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska emphasized that global problems can be solved together. Bistritska said; “We thank Üsküdar University for opening a new platform for us in intercultural dialogue. We can solve global problems together. A single ideology, a single state cannot solve them. We need to approach them all together. The ethical values of Christianity and Islam are the same. Most importantly, we can come together with our spiritual values. By discussing and talking together, we can solve the problems in the world. We need to work on these problems with students because our future will be with these students. Europe and the West have different perspectives on natural sciences and religion; the West separates natural sciences from religion, saying they cannot come together. We want to unite the two. This manifests in two ways: either you separate them, and there is peace, or you unite them. Islam wants to unite them. Europe wants to separate them.”
Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç: “Scientific Information on Islamic Theology and Culture Was Provided”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Board Member Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç delivered the opening speech of the certificate ceremony. Miraç, stating that scientific information about the religion of Islam was provided within the scope of the education, emphasized that the education was accredited. Miraç said; “We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the realization of this program, especially our Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. I also thank our lecturers who gave the courses. The 'Islamic Theology and Culture' course was accredited by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education at Ternopil State Pedagogical University of Ukraine. Course contents, exams, and all necessary materials were approved by the Ukrainian University Senate and the Ukrainian Ministry of Education. Within the scope of the courses, scientific information was provided about the religion of Islam, Islamic Theology and Culture, and human values.”
Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir: “Students Want to Learn Islam”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Head of History Department Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir touched upon the importance of developing relations between the two countries. Aydemir said; “We discussed what we need to do to develop our bilateral relations. Our lecturers invited us to Ukraine. When circumstances allow, we also want to make our visit. As lecturers, we realized that students want to learn Islam and ask questions about it. We see that they came here not for a trip but genuinely as an academic visit. The students represented their country very well.”
Sadık Paksoy: “We Were Very Impressed by Our Students’ Interest”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Sadık Paksoy said; “We were very impressed and delighted by the interest of our students who came. They were academically very well prepared. Each student made a presentation; I truly appreciate them.”
Selahattin Arslan: “Common Ground Will Bring Us Closer”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Vice President Selahattin Arslan said; “It was wonderful to meet you and be with you. Our students' eagerness to learn and their presentations were excellent. They earned our appreciation. It was important to draw attention to the common points and similarities between Islam and Christianity. These common points will enable us to love each other and grow closer.”
Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın: “When People Come Together for Good Purposes, Friendships Grow Stronger”
Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Studies Platform (RİNAP) Board Member and Head of English Translation and Interpreting Department Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın stated; “The arrival of our esteemed guests from Ukraine, our historical neighbor with whom we have historical relations, and their mention of Turkish martyrs' cemeteries in Ukraine, was very beautiful and a poignant piece of information. We commemorated our martyrs and prayed together. When people come together with good intentions and share their ideas, beauty increases, friendships grow stronger, and they understand each other better.”
Gift Exchange Took Place at the Certificate Ceremony…
A gift exchange took place at the certificate ceremony of the “Islamic Theology and Culture Program.” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan presented all his works translated into English to Ternopil University Head of History Department Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska. The Ukrainian delegation, in turn, presented a gift to Tarhan. The certificate ceremony concluded after a group photo session.
