Dato’ Seri Prof. Dr. Ir. Zaini Bin Ujang, Chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and former Ministry Secretary-General, visited Üsküdar Üniversitesi. Internationally recognized in environmental engineering and climate policies, Prof. Dr. Ir. Zaini Bin Ujang participated in an event organized within the scope of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RINAP).
The event, held in the RINAP hall at Üsküdar Üniversitesi South Campus, attracted great interest.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir: “The meeting of hearts for knowledge and truth makes it precious”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, a faculty member of the Philosophy Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, who moderated the program, extended his thanks to the participants in his opening speech. Özdemir highlighted the significance of coming together for truth, knowledge, and contemplation on a beautiful day, stating: “Today, our gathering here holds a deep meaning, as profound as the beauty outside. The meeting of hearts for knowledge and truth makes this encounter precious.”
Zaini’s Scientific and Managerial Career Highlighted
Özdemir also underlined Prof. Zaini’s scientific and managerial career: “He currently serves as the Chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Previously, he held positions as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment and Water of Malaysia, Rector of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and senior roles in three different ministries. He is an alumnus of Newcastle University and Harvard Business School. He led the Malaysian delegation at critical climate summits such as COP26 and COP27. He has over 300 articles, 50 books, and more than 20 patents. He also serves as a visiting professor at universities such as Imperial College London, Lund, and Tsukuba.”
Prof. Özdemir also stated that this impressive resume reminded him of Ziya Pasha’s couplet:
“A person’s mirror is their deed, not their word;
One’s rank of intellect is seen in their work.”
Prof. Dr. Özdemir Discusses Said Nursî and Ecological Sensitivity
The event not only addressed environmental issues but also their Islamic and spiritual dimensions. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, continuing his speech, touched upon Said Nursî’s sensitivity towards the environment, stating that he possessed a contemplative horizon that saw divine wisdom even in seemingly ordinary beings.
Özdemir stated that Said Nursî, who shared his soup with ants and was saddened by the killing of flies while in prison, recorded this sensitivity in a short but effective work like “The Treatise on Flies.” He added: “For Said Nursî, the universe was like a living Qur’an. Every being was like a letter, a sign reflecting one of Allah’s names. He deeply interpreted the name Al-Quddus, especially by associating it with the purity of both nature and humanity.”
Academic Wisdom with RINAP…
Finally, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir touched upon the mission of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RINAP). He stated that RINAP sheds light on contemporary issues from a spiritual perspective by addressing the Risale-i Nur Collection on an academic ground.
Özdemir concluded his words by saying: “RINAP is a platform for thought that brings together faith and reason, tradition and the present. Our goal is to enable Nursî’s ideas to contribute not only to the issues of the past but also to those of today and the future. Our founding rector, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, played a vital role in the genesis of RINAP. His efforts were truly foundational. Many valuable academics, present here today or not, have also made significant contributions to this initiative. However, the pioneering role in establishing RINAP was played by Prof. Tarhan, who brought to life the idea of transforming the Risale-i Nur, which he encountered during his university years and which deeply influenced his life, into a platform where it could be academically studied, discussed, and debated. The purpose of RINAP is to approach the Risale-i Nur with an academic perspective, making it accessible to wider audiences; thereby encouraging intellectual dialogue and profound contemplation.”
