The IV. International Sufism Studies Summer School, organized by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufism Studies between July 20-28, 2022, has concluded. As part of the summer school, a panel was also held with the participation of prominent figures from Turkey and abroad. Tarhan, who spoke at the opening of the panel via a video message, drew attention to digitalization. Tarhan also emphasized that tradition is not something to be worshipped in its ashes, but something whose inner fire should be rekindled.
The IV. International Sufism Studies Summer School, organized by the Institute of Sufism Studies, has concluded. The program was attended by 115 students from Turkey and abroad. A well-attended panel was also held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall within the scope of the program, which featured the participation of prominent figures at national and international levels.
Speakers at the panel, moderated by Summer School Coordinator, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufism Studies Assistant Professor Dr. Cangüzel Güner Zülfikar, included Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor Cemalnur Sargut, Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, Assistant Professor Dr. Dilek Güldütuna, Assistant Professor Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, and Prof. Dr. Carl W. Ernst, Prof. Dr. James W. Morris, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Rustom, Prof. Dr. Bruce B. Lawrence, Prof. Dr. miriam cooke, and Prof. Dr. Omneya Ayad.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also participated in the program with a video message.
“Is everything digital, or is digital everything?”
In his speech during the opening address, Tarhan drew attention to the existence of matter and digitalization. Tarhan said: “It seems there are views that understand it as a kind of polytheism, but currently there is a serious digital transformation in the world. Digitalization in the world is at this point: a new state of matter has been identified. Matter has states of air, liquid, gas, and a new state has been added: the state of information. Currently, in the universe, information exists first. Then matter exists… Regarding digitalization, it used to be said: ‘Digitalization is important for everything. Everything is digital.’ In fact, everything has become digital. Everything is digitalizing, and we can see that the perspective on the universe, Ibn-i Arabi’s use of Allah’s names and attributes in this matter of wahdat al-shuhud (unity of witness) and wahdat al-wujud (unity of existence), has actually made a kind of new definition of the universe, and it aligns very well with the current thesis of the digital universe, a digitally-based universe.”
“Tradition is not something to be worshipped in its ashes, but something whose inner fire should be rekindled”
Tarhan, stating that tradition is not something to be worshipped in its ashes but something whose inner fire should be rekindled, said: “For us to revive tradition, we need to act and behave according to the conditions of this time. That is, as it is said for rhetoric, to act in accordance with the demands of the situation (mukteza-yı hâle mutabık hareket etmek). What are the demands of this time here? We approach Sufism in accordance with these demands. We approach it with the university's scientific standards, we approach it by measuring scientifically. We approach it by verifying and researching. For this reason, I extend my thanks and respects to all participants, to all the staff and workers of our university's Institute of Sufism, and to all the esteemed speakers who joined us from the USA and Canada.”
Prof. Dr. Cemalnur Sargut: “The love of Allah keeps a person away from stress”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor Cemalnur Sargut, who was among the panelists, stated in her speech that the only thing that keeps a person alive in this world is service and being useful. Sargut said: “There is a saying by Sinan Canan; ‘As a person ages, their brain shrinks. There is only one thing that prevents this: serving humanity and staying away from stress.’ The love of Allah keeps a person away from stress. Thank you all very much.”
Summer school concert organized
A concert was also organized within the scope of the summer school, which was held with face-to-face or online (remote) participation with the support of the Corner and Kerim Foundations.
The Lâ Edrî Sufi Music Ensemble, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Vasfi Emre Ömürlü, gave a public concert at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Nermin Tarhan Hall.
At the end of the well-received concert, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur presented gifts to the ensemble members.