In partnership with Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Darüşşifa Foundation, under the auspices of the Istanbul Governorship, a journey into world and Islamic medical history was undertaken at the "Art of Medicine in Our Ancient Civilization and Anatolian Darüşşifa Panel." The panel, featuring Istanbul Deputy Governor Niyazi Ertem, Director of the Stanford University School of Medicine Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rania Awaad, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, and moderated by Dr. Tarık Eren Yılmaz, Chairman of the Board of the Turkey Darüşşifa Foundation, was enriched by the World Islamic Civilization: Anatolian Darüşşifa Exhibition. All panel participants agreed on the necessity of blending the ancient knowledge of the Islamic Medical World with modern medicine and that the entire world needs Islamic wisdom. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, addressing the youth and the scientific community, emphasized that now is the time to overcome laziness, and that Islam's ancient medical knowledge can only be transferred if it is shared with the entire world. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rania Awaad, who visited 13 different Darüşşifas during her visit to Turkey, stated that these structures reflected a holistic medical perspective even in those times, both in terms of their architecture and their approach to patients.
In partnership with Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Darüşşifa Foundation, under the auspices of the Istanbul Governorship, and moderated by Dr. Tarık Eren Yılmaz, Chairman of the Board of the Turkey Darüşşifa Foundation, the panel began with opening remarks by Istanbul Deputy Governor Niyazi Ertem and took place in the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
In the panel, also attended by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, in his presentation titled "Anatolian Roots of Modern Psychiatric Treatment," discussed the milestones of Islamic medical history and the shortcomings of modern medicine. Psychiatrist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rania Awaad, Director of the world's only Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Laboratory at Stanford University, spoke about the general structure of Darüşşifas, the way theory is put into practice, and their timelessness, all within the context of mental health.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: "We must overcome laziness and create paths for knowledge"
Beginning his speech by stating that this panel is important for building a bridge between the past and future of World Medical History, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said that people are in great need of Anatolian wisdom and Islamic sagacity. "Today, material prosperity has risen, but spiritual well-being has declined. We have started to see all sorts of negative consequences of this. Western civilization first makes people sick, then tries to treat them. Just as the Romans built stone roads, we need to build knowledge pathways through the internet. This way, we can quickly deliver truths to the entire world. By overcoming laziness, we must find ways to share Islam's ancient knowledge with the whole world and carry this knowledge through these paths. We need to make this our concern, to feel the excitement of it," he said.
"Physicians of the Islamic World guided today's modern medicine"
Tarhan emphasized that the findings, observations, and experiences of El Razi, Ibn-i Sina, Ibn-i Rushd, and Şerafettin Sabuncuoğlu, who lived between 1385-1470, made very significant contributions to modern medicine, and some of them have still not been surpassed. He also stated that these scholars influenced human history. He expressed the Islamic World's perspective on human health with these words: "The Christian world focused on treatment. But in doing so, they neglected the body, leading to the spread of diseases like the plague. We even know that plague patients were burned during that period because it was believed they were possessed by the devil. However, Darüşşifas in Anatolia provided healthcare to people with mental health issues with a humane approach, using entirely natural treatments. For example, Prophet Muhammad's saying 'Everything but death is a lie' created significant motivation in the medical world of that era. Aromatherapy was a widely used treatment method in the Islamic world. Our ancestors pioneered modern treatment in hospitals known as Bimarhanes for the treatment of mental illness. El Razi, under the conditions of his time in the 840s, shared knowledge emphasizing experimental medicine and observation, carrying these into his books. During the plague epidemic in Istanbul, Şerafettin Sabuncuoğlu advised 'Eat well, sleep well, greet from a distance' and washed his hands with vinegar, the ancestor of today's disinfectant. These are very ancient pieces of knowledge."
"Synthesis of religion and science must be made"
Speaking about the necessity of change, Tarhan said, "The Ottoman Empire could not keep up with the Industrial Revolution 1.0 experienced by the West, and from then on, scientific decline began. Therefore, urgent measures need to be taken now. The spiritual treasure, the medicine for the whole world, will be the wisdom of the belief in tawhid (oneness of God). There is no need for a new reform in religion. The Quran is very clear and definite. While preserving the essence, there is a need for a renaissance. It needs to be done like a renewal. New traditions should be created instead of old ones. As a solution, Ilm-i Kalam should be taught at high school levels. We must renew ourselves with science and wisdom without deviating from a system of faith and philosophy focused on the mystical aspect of Islam. We must strive to revive the spirit of the Age of Bliss (Asr-ı Saadet). The Quran will correct the complications of capitalism," he said.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rania Awaad: "In Darüşşifas, you can see that all senses were addressed for treatment"
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Awaad, stating that she wanted to see the process firsthand by visiting 13 Darüşşifas in Turkey during her visit, mentioned that at the world's first Islamic Psychology Laboratory at Stanford University, they focus on the mental health of Muslims and build bridges by combining Islamic tradition with modern medicine. Awaad said:
"My primary observation in Darüşşifas was the holistic approach to mental health conditions. No matter the civilization, there are different types of hospitals. However, the healing centers of Islamic civilization have a very special difference; they are specifically designed to treat mental health well. If we consider the sections in the Holy Quran that speak of mental health, we can say that patients were given great importance here. This is because they blend scientific knowledge with information derived from the Quran. There is much to learn from these healing centers. For example, the open courtyard layout, the sound of water from the fountains at their entrances, is almost an example of music therapy. Today, the healthcare system focuses more on pharmacology, but in Darüşşifas, you see that all your senses are addressed. Being surrounded by greenery, having pharmacies where medicines were prepared, using plants grown there for these medicines, having nutritionists and special kitchens are all very impressive in terms of their holistic approach to health. We see how much care was given to the sick. You know, seeing is believing."
Cooperation protocol signed between Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Darüşşifa Foundation
Following the panel, which was also broadcast live on ÜÜ TV, a cooperation protocol was signed between Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tarık Eren Yılmaz, Chairman of the Board of the Turkey Darüşşifa Foundation.
Anatolian Darüşşifa Exhibition was also visited
After the panel and the protocol signing ceremony, participants visited the World Islamic Civilization: Anatolian Darüşşifa Exhibition.
