Prof. Nevzat Tarhan met with his readers at the Arabic Book Fair

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist-Author Prof. Nevzat Tarhan met with his readers at the 11th International Istanbul Arabic Book Fair. Receiving significant interest at the autograph event organized in cooperation with TİMAŞ Publications and AKDEM Publications, Prof. Tarhan stated that it is very valuable for cultural exchange that some of his books published in Arabic reached their second print run in a short time. Drawing attention to the global emergence of the detrimental consequences of bad morals, Tarhan underlined that not only the Islamic world but all humanity needs Quranic morality more than ever. Tarhan also said; “Currently, the West has high technical and scientific capital, while the East has high social capital. The two need to complement each other.” 

The fair, organized in cooperation with the Press and Publishers Association, the International Association of Arabic Book Publishers, and the Turkish Printing and Publishing Professional Association, was held between August 15-23 at the Yenikapı Eurasia Show and Art Center with the participation of over 300 publishing houses from more than 30 countries. 

Within the scope of the fair, which brought together hundreds of authors with readers from Istanbul and surrounding cities, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, who received significant interest, also gave interviews to various media organizations.

The intense interest in Prof. Tarhan's works published in Arabic in a short period also drew attention at the fair. The fact that some of Tarhan's books reached their second print run in a short time was one of the important indicators of the interest shown by Arab readers in his works.

“We draw from the same source”

In an interview first held at the Dârü’l-Fikr el-Cedîd stand, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluating the adoption of his works by Arab readers as if they were written in their own language and the intense interest the books received, said; “I find the sharing and reading of my books in our civilization's geography very valuable for cultural exchange. It is very significant that Arab readers find these books so relatable because we have been neighbors for centuries and draw from the same source.”

“The West’s scientific capital and the East’s social capital must be synthesized”

Emphasizing that Eastern and Western cultures should complement each other, Tarhan stated; “Currently, the West has high technical and scientific capital, while the East has high social capital. The two need to complement and synthesize each other. I tried to synthesize natural sciences with religious sciences, in other words, our beliefs with psychology. I strived to synthesize the values taught by the Holy Quran with the beneficial aspects of Western values. I thought that the common aspects of both, based on our own values, rather than just imitating the West, would be more beneficial to people.”

Most of the books are about preventive mental health…

Tarhan also touched upon the main mission of the books he authored in addition to his clinical studies; “I am a psychiatrist. I deal with the treatment of psychiatric illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia, but the books I have written are mostly works on preventive mental health, focusing on what people need to do to avoid getting sick.”

“Humanity needs Quranic morality more than ever”

Drawing attention to the global emergence of the detrimental consequences of bad morals, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said; “The teachings of Rumi and our Prophet need to be livable in this era. Suicide is increasing worldwide, addiction is increasing, drug use is increasing. The negative outcomes of bad morals have started to be seen globally. Not only the Islamic world but all humanity needs Quranic morality more than ever. Against this, we have tried to produce solutions that are a synthesis of our own values and modernism.”

“Book fairs are bridges forming fundamental relationships”

In his second interview conducted within the scope of the fair, Tarhan touched upon the international dimension of the organization and its contribution to common mobility in the Islamic world; “The Arabic book fair is a much more developed, comprehensive, and highly popular event than I expected, with over 30 countries participating. Cooperation on cultural matters also brings economic and political collaborations; they all follow each other. Therefore, book fairs are bridges that form fundamental relationships. I believe that the fair will contribute much more to our cultures knowing each other more closely, and to social, economic, and cultural mobility.”

Readers formed long queues

In the program with high participation and interest, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan signed his books for his readers. Throughout the signing event, readers wishing to acquire and have Tarhan's books signed formed long queues.

Readers who had their books signed by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan also had the opportunity to chat with Tarhan and take photos.