Prof. Nevzat Tarhan brought together science, Sufism, and technology during his contacts in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. A cooperation protocol was signed between Üsküdar University and Paramadina University. This protocol, aiming to establish a global knowledge bridge, especially in the fields of Sufism research and psychology, also provides a strategic contribution to education diplomacy between Türkiye and Indonesia.
Stating that the roots of "Positive Psychology," which the Western world has discovered in recent years, were laid 700 years ago by Mevlana, Prof. Tarhan said, "If Mevlana were alive today, he would use artificial intelligence and social media. However, he would prefer depth over going viral, and the search for meaning over applause.”
President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and his delegation are in Jakarta as part of a 4-day Indonesia program. The first day of the program began with intense diplomatic and scientific traffic at Paramadina University, one of Jakarta's most established institutions. A strategic cooperation protocol was signed between the two universities. In the “Masnavi Therapy” panel, where Prof. Tarhan participated as a guest of honor, Tarhan offered a remarkable prescription for the crises of the modern world, from narcissism to artificial intelligence, from Mevlana to digitalization, based on “Anatolian Wisdom.” Tarhan, who attracted great interest from Indonesians, also signed his books for his readers.
Official Visit to the Jakarta Embassy
As part of the busy program in Jakarta, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and his accompanying delegation first visited Prof. Talip Küçükcan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Jakarta, at his office.
Prof. Küçükcan expressed his satisfaction with the visit, and discussions were held on strengthening educational and cultural bridges between the two countries.
During the meeting, which took place in a very cordial atmosphere, Tarhan informed Ambassador Küçükcan about the university's international vision and academic projects in Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of representing Türkiye's scientific knowledge on a global scale. The meeting concluded with the exchange of gifts and a souvenir photo session.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two universities
On the first day of the 4-day Indonesia program, the second stop was Paramadina University, one of Jakarta's oldest institutions, which has carried out significant global work in the field of Islamic Sciences. Initially, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two universities.
At the opening of the program, İbrahim Albayrak, CEO and Founder of Edutolia Education, one of the organization's partners, delivered a welcoming speech, highlighting the importance of educational bridges between Türkiye and Indonesia.
Strategic step in academic cooperation: MOU signed
As one of the most important institutional outcomes of the program, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Üsküdar University and Paramadina University. This cooperation, signed by President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Paramadina University Vice Rector Prof. Lin Mayasari, paves the way for student and academic exchange, joint research projects, and scientific publication efforts between the two institutions. Especially aiming to establish a global knowledge bridge in the fields of Sufism research and psychology, this protocol also provides a strategic contribution to education diplomacy between Türkiye and Indonesia.
Prof. Mayasari: “Cooperation with Üsküdar University is a great honor”
Prof. Mayasari noted that prominent figures who have carried out significant global work have emerged from universities, stating that cooperating with Üsküdar University is a great honor and creates an opportunity for academic collaboration. Mayasari added that they conduct many collaborations with Southeast Asian countries and that this initiative with Türkiye will significantly develop their university's cooperation networks.
Starting his speech by saying that being in the same civilization geography is a great honor for him, Prof. Tarhan stated that significant steps will be taken for Indonesia and Türkiye through academic collaborations, student exchange programs, and especially joint projects in the field of Sufism Studies to be carried out between the two institutions.
Following the cooperation protocol signing ceremony, the “Masnavi Therapy” panel and signing program, with Prof. Nevzat Tarhan as the guest of honor, took place.
National anthems of the two countries were recited, and a Sema performance was held
The program, which began with the recitation of the national anthems of both countries, also featured a Sema performance.
Ambassador Prof. Talip Küçükcan also attended
As part of the opening speeches, Prof. Talip Küçükcan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Jakarta, İbrahim Albayrak, CEO and Founder of Edutolia Education, one of the organization's partners, and Peyman Jaferi, Head of the International Relations Department of Üsküdar University, also delivered speeches.
The program, which also featured a welcoming speech by Paramadina University Rector Prof. Didik J. Rachbini, was attended by Prof. Kartanegara, known for his profound studies in Islamic philosophy and Sufism, and author Dr. Haidar Bagir, who conducts research on Sufism and ethics, as panelists.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: "Modern humans consume like cancer cells"
Addressing the participants at the panel, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan made a striking analogy about narcissism, which he sees as the greatest threat of the modern world. Stating that the "pleasure-focused" life offered by the capitalist system makes people selfish, Tarhan said, "Narcissism is like a cancer cell, the freest but most dangerous cell in the body. A cancer cell knows no bounds, grows by devouring its surroundings, but ultimately kills both the body and itself."
UN's three major dangers and "Loss of Wisdom"
Drawing attention to the three main dangers identified by the United Nations for the future (income inequality, climate change, and loneliness), Prof. Tarhan stated that "loss of wisdom" lies at the root of all these problems. Tarhan noted that to fill this void, the Western world discovered "Positive Psychology," and that this discipline is essentially a modern methodological presentation of concepts like compassion, mercy, and gratitude, systematized by Mevlana centuries ago.
"Positive psychology is Mevlana's methodology"
Tarhan reminded that Üsküdar University included Positive Psychology in its curriculum as a course in 2013, and stated that global giants like Harvard (2015), Yale (2018), and Bristol accepted this course as a "solution to the suicide and depression epidemic." Tarhan said, "I thought it would be a sin if we didn't present Mevlana to the scientific world. He used narrative therapy and bibliotherapy methods with stories 700 years ago; Positive Psychology is Mevlana's methodology."
Tarhan added that the roots of "Positive Psychology," which the Western world has discovered in recent years, were laid 700 years ago by Mevlana, and that the fundamental cause of crises such as loneliness and income inequality, defined by the UN, is the loss of wisdom.
If Mevlana were alive today, would he be a digital dervish?
Stating that Mevlana should be brought to the present instead of being confined to his own time, Tarhan said, "If Mevlana were alive today, he would use artificial intelligence and social media. However, he would prefer depth over going viral, and the search for meaning over applause. He would enable being 'online' with Allah."
Tarhan also pointed out that the works of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, who explained the proofs of Tawhid (Oneness of God) in the Holy Quran with a synthesis of reason and revelation, presented Mevlana's teachings in the language of this era.
Artificial intelligence: Mathematical proof of Tawhid
Answering participants' questions, Tarhan also touched upon artificial intelligence, the peak of technology. Tarhan emphasized that the work that won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics (Fuzzy Logic) actually supports "Intelligent Design" in the universe, and added that artificial intelligence, born from the marriage of mathematics and philosophy, constitutes scientific evidence for the concept of "Lawh al-Mahfuz" (universal database) mentioned in the Holy Quran.
Tarhan noted that artificial intelligence, the ultimate point of technology, is actually the greatest evidence of a divine design and Tawhid, and provided a striking analysis through "Fuzzy Logic" and mathematical models. Tarhan;
“Mathematics + Logic: Gave birth to computers.
Mathematics + Philosophy: Gave birth to artificial intelligence.
Intelligent Design: Proves that the universe is not accidental, but based on a universal database that overlaps with the concepts of ‘Super-determinizm’ and ‘Lawh al-Mahfuz’,” he said.
Scientific proof: How Sufi meditation affects the brain?
In his speech, Tarhan also referred to Üsküdar University's MRI imaging studies conducted in 2014, explaining that they scientifically proved that "Sufi Meditation" stimulates the anterior cingulate cortex, the brain's emotion regulation center, and stated that believing in Allah and the feeling of integration with Him triggers happiness hormones (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin) in the brain, creating a protective shield against depression.
Tarhan signed his books for Indonesians
At the signing event held after the panel, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan met with intense interest from his Indonesian readers.
Participants formed long queues to get Tarhan's works, translated into the regional language (Bahasa Indonesia), signed, and literally competed with each other to take souvenir photos with Tarhan.
Indonesians, excitedly examining the books published in their own language, showed great interest in Tarhan's books, which merge Turkish wisdom with modern psychology.
