Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, met with educators from Bitlis within the scope of the event organized by the Bitlis Provincial Directorate of National Education. Tarhan, making evaluations on the topic of “New Truths in Education and 21st Century Skills”; “Don’t give children everything ready-made. There must be positive communication between the child and the family. If there is confrontation and opposition, a competitive environment emerges. Walking together, showing understanding, and cooperating are key words. The method of persuasion and convincing must be applied.” he said.
“Ilm-i Kalam should be brought down to high school level”
Tarhan, addressing the spirituality of moral reasoning and the connectivity between science and religious sciences; “Every event has a material aspect and a psychological aspect. The psychological aspect is found through reasoning. There are also spiritual aspects found through moral reasoning. I was educated in natural sciences. However, after what I read, I understood the unification of religious sciences and natural sciences and decided to establish the University with all my knowledge. After reaching a certain point at the University, we wanted to open holistic research centers for natural and religious sciences. But permission was not given; we received the answer that natural sciences should be separate from religious sciences. Currently, there is confusion in high schools regarding natural and religious sciences. It has become very difficult to distinguish and explain them. It is not possible to teach Ilm-i Kalam to students in this way. They need to see the values. Ilm-i Kalam should be brought down to high school level.” he stated.
“It is important to extract meaning from a discipline”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, emphasizing the importance of deriving meaning from events, knowledge, and science; “I am in favor of the unification and integration of natural sciences and religious sciences. When reading any book, if there is an approach with the aim of solving a problem, the problem reveals itself. If approached positively, problems reveal themselves positively. It is the same with negative approaches. When reading the Quran, if attention is paid to deriving meaning, interpretation, and commentary, a solution can be reached quickly. When reading sacred texts, let's look with the perspective of ‘What does the Creator of this universe want to tell me?’ We can find something from all disciplines. It is necessary to focus on understanding. It is important to extract meaning from a discipline.” he said.
“The world is paying a price”
Tarhan touched upon the spiritual turning points of the world, addressing the events and matters that require attention. Tarhan; “It is said that the bullet of World War 3 will be fired from the internet. Global capital has seized power; Covid-19 is a test for us. In the current process, if God brings us closer, it is a reward; if He distances us, it is a punishment. Let's look from this perspective and overcome the situation. Loneliness, unhappiness, and narcissistic people have increased. Unfortunately, this is also present among young people. Depression has risen, and anxiety about the future is quite high. The crisis and situations we are experiencing carry a message for us. People went off track, and we needed to be reined in. With global changes, temperatures, and many other issues, we have played with the world. If nature had a mind, it would not have allowed it; it would have acted sooner. The unseen reality gives us this warning. The world is paying a price.” he stated.
“Cooperation between child and family is essential”
Tarhan, addressing the negative events between families and children and stating that new methods should be applied; “Don’t give children everything ready-made. There must be positive communication between the child and the family. If there is confrontation and opposition, a competitive environment emerges. Walking together, showing understanding, and cooperating are key words. The method of persuasion and convincing must be applied. Because these are not applied, there are girls who run away from home and young people who want to study elsewhere. They have difficulty living in society. It is necessary not to rub their flaws in the faces of young people. Unfortunately, fear and pressure are not solutions. Families need to be careful. Cooperation between child and family is essential.” he noted.
“The education system rejects nationalism”
Tarhan stated that children are raised according to official ideologies, and Kurdish racism has emerged; “We should not repeat the mistakes we made in the past. Young people who come to high school and university are bewildered. They enter a struggle to preserve their culture. People of Kurdish origin who have not been subjected to colonialism. Then they become a toy for terrorists. Young people who grow up racist with a nationalist sentiment being prioritized are emerging. Racism has become dominant in the education system. Nationalism is separate, but we are a whole. The Ottoman Empire engaged in geographical racism, not racial nationalism. The identity crisis in that region must be resolved. It will be resolved as Bediüzzaman’s books are read. The education system rejects nationalism.” he said.