Students from Virginia Theological Seminary, one of the established theology schools in the US, visited Üsküdar University's Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) within the scope of their research and learning programs. During the program titled “Academic Event on Said Nursi and Risale-i Nur,” Said Nursi's intellectual world and the Risale-i Nur Collection were discussed within an academic framework. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions about Said Nursi's ideas, Islamic theology, and the Risale-i Nur's approach to the modern world.
The meeting, held within the scope of international academic collaborations and cultural interaction activities, took place in the RİNAP hall of the Southern Campus.
Academic Presentations Held at RİNAP
In the program organized by RİNAP with the suggestion and coordination of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Gülerce, a faculty member of Marmara University's Sociology Department, presentations by expert academics discussed Said Nursi's works, the fundamental approaches of the Risale-i Nur Collection, and the perspectives it offers to the contemporary world.
Main Principles of the Risale-i Nur Collection Discussed
In the first session of the program, Prof. Dr. Faris Kaya, a member of the RİNAP Management and Advisory Board, shared comprehensive information about the main concepts, themes, and methodology of the Risale-i Nur Collection with his presentation titled “The Basics in the Risale-i Nur”.
Said Nursi's Approach to Christianity Discussed
Subsequently, Dr. Nafi Yalçın, a faculty member of Üsküdar University's English Translation and Interpreting Department, in his presentation titled “The Concept of Ahl al-Kitab in Islam and Said Nursi’s Approach to Christianity and Christians,” evaluated the concept of Ahl al-Kitab in Islam and Said Nursi's approach to Christianity from a Quran-centric perspective. The presentation was followed with particular interest by theology students.
The Place of Religion in Theory and Practice Discussed
The final academic presentation of the program was delivered by Prof. Dr. İsmail Latif Hacınebioğlu, a faculty member of Istanbul University's Faculty of Theology, Department of Philosophy and Religious Sciences. In his speech titled “Relevancy of Religion in Relation to Theory and Practice: Recognition and Reception,” Hacınebioğlu, who discussed the theoretical and practical dimensions of religion on a philosophical basis, enriched his presentation with examples from the life of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi.
Participants had the opportunity to ask their questions.
Students had the opportunity to ask questions about Said Nursi's ideas, Islamic theology, and the Risale-i Nur's approach to the modern world.
At the end of the program, visiting students and faculty members were presented with works translated into English from the Risale-i Nur Collection as a memento of the day.
Students stated that they were introduced to Said Nursi for the first time and found this introduction quite inspiring.
The visit was an indicator of Üsküdar University's emphasis on international academic collaborations and intercultural interaction.