Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, faculty member at the Institute for Sufi Studies at Üsküdar University and Director General of IRCICA (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture), has been elected to the Board of R20, the Religion Forum of the G20, which brings together the world's largest economies.
This significant development is seen as a recognition of both Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç’s profound academic background and his ongoing contributions to international cultural diplomacy through his role at IRCICA.
Expected to make key contributions to strengthening intercivilizational dialogue
The G20 Religion Forum R20 was established with the aim of ensuring that religion functions as a dynamic source of solutions, rather than problems, in the 21st century. It seeks to align global geopolitical and economic power structures with the highest moral and spiritual values.
Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç’s presence on the R20 Board is expected to contribute significantly to the forum’s priority areas, especially the revitalization of the traditional role of arts and culture and the strengthening of intercivilizational dialogue.
Nominated by the president of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic Organization
Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç joined the Board of R20 upon the nomination of the president of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic Organization.
It has also been noted that Prof. Kılıç was invited to the R20 Board as the leader of an institution that has made notable contributions for many years in the fields of Islamic culture, art, and history, while promoting intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue.
Why was R20 established?
R20 was founded to ensure that religion in the 21st century functions not as a source of conflict but as a genuine and dynamic source of solutions. The forum aspires to lead a global movement aimed at aligning the world’s geopolitical and economic power structures with the highest moral and spiritual values.
Its goal is to provide a global platform where major religious leaders from different faiths and nations can voice their concerns about global issues and advocate for shared civilizational values.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)