The eight-week “Sufism and Music Education Program”, organized by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute for Sufi Studies and conducted by Sufi Music Artist and Choir Conductor Elif Uyar, concluded with a closing concert.
At the closing concert, alongside artist Elif Ömürlü Uyar, Prof. Dr. Vasfi Emre Ömürlü was on vocals, and Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Dilek Ömürlü Güldütuna (oud), Afet Gök (oud), Zehra Gemici (kemençe), and Ali Nur Fayda (ney) were on instruments.
The closing concert, which was met with great interest by music lovers, took place in the Fuat Sezgin conference hall on the South Campus.
The closing concert was attended by Prof. Dr. Elif Erhan, Director of the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute for Sufi Studies, and Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Cangüzel Güner, one of the Deputy Directors, along with participants who completed the program and students.
Within the scope of the "Sufism and Music" Education Program, which has now completed its third cycle, a total of 120 people, including 42 from this term, were awarded Certificates of Participation.
"We are setting out to establish a choir on behalf of our university"
Prof. Dr. Elif Erhan, Director of the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute for Sufi Studies, expressed great satisfaction with the interest shown in the program, stating; "These efforts may pave the way for the establishment of a new department within our Institute; with the support and dedication of our esteemed instructors Elif Ömürlü Uyar, Emre, and Dilek, we are embarking on the journey to establish a choir on behalf of our University. We extend our gratitude once again, in your presence, to the children whom the late Yusuf Ömürlü nurtured as living bearers of such a valuable legacy: Elif Uyar, the eldest of the family, our instructors Dilek Güldütuna and Vasfi Emre Ömürlü. We thank our valuable participants for their interest in the Education Program." Elif Ömürlü Uyar, as the instructor of the Education Program, congratulated the participants for their success in the classes. She stated that they experienced "Sufi music's healing power for the soul" not only in the lyrics of the works but also through their lives. V. Emre Ömürlü spoke about the position of Sufi music in tradition and its role in the development of classical music, emphasized the importance of the education program organized by the Institute, and underscored his belief that universities should preserve this intangible cultural heritage; he also conveyed a message of support for future studies on this topic at the Ü.Ü. Institute for Sufi Studies.
Following the closing concert, plaques of appreciation were presented to the artists who participated in the evening.
