The 'Islamic Theology and Culture' program, highlighting topics such as Islamic culture, Islamic history, and family in Islam, has commenced. Organized in collaboration with Üsküdar University's Department of Health, Culture and Sports (SKS), the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP), and Ukraine Ternopil University, the program will thoroughly explore Islamic theology. The program, which has attracted significant interest with the participation of Ukrainian academics and students, will continue for five days. Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör will attend the program's certificate ceremony. In this context, the first day of the program began with opening speeches, where it was emphasized that the program is both a cultural and an academic initiative.
On the first day of the program, held in the Kuleli Hall of the Central Campus, opening speeches were delivered by Dr. Öğr. Gör. Uygar Aydemir, Head of the History Department at Üsküdar University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Prof. Ella Bistritska, Head of the History Department at Ternopil University; Selahattin Arslan, Vice Chairman of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP); Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Nafi Yalçın, Board Member of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) and Head of the English Translation and Interpreting Department at Üsküdar University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç, Board Member of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP); and Sadık Paksoy, Vice Chairman of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP).
Prof. Dr. İlham Miraç coordinated the program, which was organized within the scope of a ministry-accredited program. In this context, course syllabi were prepared, and classes were conducted both online and practically. The content of the applied courses covered a wide range of topics, from Islamic theology to cultural elements. Regarded as an important step in terms of education and cultural exchange, the program aims to offer participants a rich experience, both academically and culturally.
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Uygar Aydemir: “Both a cultural and academic program”
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Uygar Aydemir, Head of the History Department at Üsküdar University, delivered the program's opening speeches. Aydemir stated; “We are pleased and happy to host you at Üsküdar University. During your stay here, we want to tell you about the structure of our university, which is nourished by different cultures. This program is both a cultural and an academic program. Here, you will get to know our university and also explore the city. We hope that Istanbul, with its unique Bosphorus view and deep history, will leave a lasting memory for you.”
Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska: “It is not possible to live in this world without learning about Islam”
Prof. Dr. Ella Bistritska, Head of the History Department at Ternopil University, emphasized the international significance of the program. Bistritska stated; “The Islamic Theology and Culture Program is a very important program internationally. Now everyone wants to learn about Islam. We have initiated this with the Islamic Theology and Culture Program. The aim of the Islamic Theology and Culture program is to learn about the religion of Islam. Because Islam is everywhere, and our brothers and sisters are everywhere. It is not possible to live in this world without learning about Islam. We need to learn the views of Islam. We personally see that Islam is a peaceful religion. We, as academics, see this when we come to these conferences, but we also wanted our students to come. Because our students are our future. We are conducting this program for them to understand the beautiful ethics of Islam.”
Selahattin Arslan: “Islam is a religion of peace, love, and compassion”
Selahattin Arslan, Vice Chairman of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP), stated that Ternopil University is one of the first universities to sign the Universal Human Values and Rights Manifesto. Arslan said; “In our society, there is a saying: 'Man is an enemy of what he does not know.' Unfortunately, due to the misrepresentations of some ill-intentioned individuals, Islam is poorly perceived. Through the seminars we will hold here, you will see that Islam is absolutely not a radical religion. Islam is a religion of peace, love, and compassion. As Ukrainian society and Turkish society, we have many common values. Especially the ongoing war in Ukraine deeply saddens us. We strongly desire for it to stop as soon as possible and for people not to be unjustly killed. We had prepared a manifesto against the massacre in Palestine. We opened this manifesto for signatures to stop this unjust occupation. We invited other universities. Ternopil University is one of the first universities to sign it. Currently, the number of signatories has exceeded 400,000. In this manifesto, we particularly emphasized human rights that all people must adhere to. We aim to take this manifesto, along with the collected signatures, to the United Nations by the end of the year to ensure a decision is made there.”
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Nafi Yalçın: “We better understand our common values through this program”
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Nafi Yalçın, Head of the English Translation and Interpreting Department at Üsküdar University, touched upon common cultural characteristics. Yalçın stated; “I believe this program will be fruitful. You have come from a different country and a different culture. However, in addition to these differences, we have many commonalities. Although our languages are different now, the sounds that form this language are the same. We have many common features, and beautiful values. We better understand and share our common values through this program. There is a beautiful saying in our language; 'Beauties multiply when shared, troubles and problems decrease when shared.' We also want to increase beauties by sharing these beautiful ideas, experiences, and values.”
Sadık Paksoy: “We will share our culture and faith values with you”
Sadık Paksoy, Vice Chairman of the Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP), stated; “Welcome to our university. During our stay here, we will share our culture and faith values with you. You have researched the truth of Islam in the Holy Quran and realized its sanctity. Congratulations.”
A mutual exchange of gifts took place between the Ukrainian delegation and Üsküdar University academics. The program concluded after a group photo session.
Cultural tour conducted
As part of the program, participants had the opportunity to visit significant historical and cultural sites in Istanbul, including Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Valide-i Cedid Mosque, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Ayazma Mosque, Valide-i Atik Mosque, Yıldız Palace, Büyük Çamlıca Mosque, and the Museum of Islamic Civilizations.
To continue for five days…
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör will attend the certificate ceremony, which will take place on the final day of the five-day program.