The final declaration of the “VIII. International Congress on Creation in the Light of Sciences”, organized by Üsküdar Üniversitesi with the support of TÜBİTAK between October 24-26, 2024, with the main theme of 'A Holistic Approach to Creation,' has been published.
In the 11-article final declaration read by Congress President Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak; it was emphasized that an inhumane, cruel genocide, violating the laws of war, is taking place in Palestine and Lebanon, where civilians, children, and innocent people are massacred, and “the Zionist gang and its supporters causing this” were condemned.
From the declaration;
“The way to free our youth from fanaticism and doubts that lead to unbelief depends on education with a holistic perspective. In books, articles, and documentaries that reveal the structures and perfections of beings in the universe, a monotheistic language, compatible with a holistic perspective and our cultural values, should be used as the language of science.”
The final declaration of the “VIII. International Congress on Creation in the Light of Sciences”, organized by Üsküdar Üniversitesi with the support of TÜBİTAK between October 24-26, 2024, with the main theme of 'A Holistic Approach to Creation,' has been announced.
In the Final Declaration published after the congress held at Üsküdar Üniversitesi NP Health Campus İbni Sina Auditorium; it was emphasized that an inhumane, cruel genocide, violating the laws of war, is taking place in Palestine and Lebanon, where civilians, children, and innocent people are massacred, and “the Zionist gang and its supporters causing this” were condemned.
“We desire that consciences not remain silent in the name of humanity in Palestine and Lebanon”
In the 11-article final declaration read by Congress President and Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak; it was noted that the deplorable attack on TUSAŞ, the apple of the country's defense industry's eye, in Kahramankazan one day before the congress, was strongly condemned, and the following was highlighted:
“As many speakers expressed during the congress, an inhumane, cruel genocide, violating the laws of war, is taking place especially in Palestine and Lebanon, where civilians, children, and innocent people are massacred. We wish mercy upon those who passed away in these tragic incidents and condemn the Zionist gang and its supporters who caused them. We desire that these inhumane practices be stopped immediately; that diplomatic channels be swiftly operated, and that consciences not remain silent in the name of humanity.”
Congress continued for 3 days
In the declaration, it was recalled that the first International Congress on Creation in the Light of Sciences was jointly held by Harran and Üsküdar Universities in Şanlıurfa in 2017, the second at Atatürk Üniversitesi in 2018, the third at Iğdır Üniversitesi in 2019, the fourth and fifth at Kütahya Dumlupınar Üniversitesi in 2020-2021, the sixth at Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi in 2022, the seventh at Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi in 2023, and the eighth at Üsküdar Üniversitesi in 2024. It was stated: “During the 3-day 8th International Congress on Creation in the Light of Sciences; papers were presented in scientific fields such as Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Physics, Computer and Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Astrophysics, Sociology, History of Religions, Art History, International Relations, Basic Islamic Sciences, Biology, Geology, Philosophy, Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmacy, Literature, Anthropology, Education, and Psychology.”
“The aim of the congresses; to strengthen our national and spiritual values with scientific data”
The declaration emphasized that “the main purpose of these creation congresses is to read and interpret the book of the universe, which is the work of Allah’s attribute of power and the subject of sciences, from the perspective of creation, through the papers presented by scientists specialized in their fields.” It further stated, “Thus, to contribute to the intellectual horizon of the scientific community, to prevent the theory of evolution from being instrumentalized for ideological ideas, and to strengthen our national and spiritual values with scientific data.”
What are the 11 findings and decisions made in the declaration?
The 11 findings and decisions made, reaffirming the final declarations of previous congresses, are as follows:
“1. Islam does not conflict with science: The idea that “religion is separate, science is separate” is a product of materialist philosophy. The conflict between science and religion, reason and revelation, does not belong to Islamic civilization. Because the subject of sciences is the book of the universe, which is the work of Allah’s attribute of power. The Holy Qur’an, on the other hand, is the word of Allah and an interpretation of the book of the universe. There can be no contradiction or conflict between them. Because both books are the books of Allah. As understood from numerous verses and hadiths, Islam gives great importance to knowledge and scientists.
“Natural sciences alone are not sufficient to understand the creation of the universe and humanity”
2. The scientific world has been under the influence of materialist philosophy for approximately 200 years: Materialist philosophy does not approach scientific data holistically. It views all beings in the universe as products of coincidence, causes, and nature, and accepts only matter entering the laboratory as scientific data. In this philosophical view; the human soul, emotions, and thoughts are not taken into account. However, natural sciences alone are not sufficient to understand the creation of the universe and humanity. For this, a holistic perspective is needed. That is, the truth of creation should be evaluated within the framework of scientific methods, taking into account meaning alongside matter.
“Science examines Allah's works of art in the universe”
3. Science examines Allah’s works of art in the universe: In today's scientific community, the creator is often concealed in the presentation of information obtained from the universe; causes are presented directly as the agents performing the act. In creation congresses, the necessity of a holistic evaluation of scientific data has been expressed; emphasizing the agent in the act, the artist in art, and the master in the work.
4. Creation is universal and general: Scientific data regarding the emergence of all beings, living and non-living, show that Allah is capable of all kinds of creation. The Creator can create a being within certain processes, as well as instantaneously and without cause. Creation within the framework of causes; is a manifestation of Allah's names and a requirement of His wisdom.
“The terminology related to evolution needs to be understood correctly”
5. There is a conceptual confusion and information pollution regarding evolution and creation: What everyone understands and means by evolution is different. Evolution is a concept presented with nearly thirty terms that have different meanings. Some of these express change, metamorphosis, and differentiation. These are not theories, but laws. Evolution, which refers to one species arising from another by chance or spontaneously, is a philosophical view not based on any evidence. In this respect, the terminology related to evolution needs to be understood correctly.
What is the way to save young people from fanaticism and doubts that lead to unbelief?
6. Educational materials and books at all stages of education should be prepared with a holistic perspective that addresses matter and meaning together, and with a corresponding language and style: Educational materials and textbooks should emphasize that all beings in the universe are the work of a Creator with infinite knowledge, will, and power. Thus, it will be understood that nothing, from atoms to galaxies, is purposeless or without wisdom. This will serve to enlighten minds, satisfy consciences, and illuminate hearts. A young person receiving such education will know that, like all beings, they are not left to their own devices, that they have a creator; they will understand that all blessings are sent by Him, and by realizing that they are not ownerless, they will experience the happiness of taking refuge in a God who is with them in all difficulties and sorrows and who has power over everything. The way to free our youth from fanaticism and doubts that lead to unbelief depends on education with a holistic perspective. In books, articles, and documentaries that reveal the structures and perfections of beings in the universe, a monotheistic language, compatible with a holistic perspective and our cultural values, should be used as the language of science.
Eliminating the doubts caused by ideas such as Darwinism, secularism, and deism in younger generations…
7. Books compiled from papers presented at the Congresses on Creation in the Light of Sciences are of vital importance in the education of young people: The significant impact of the papers presented at these congresses has been observed in dispelling doubts caused by increasingly prevalent ideas such as Darwinism, secularism, and deism in younger generations. It has been recommended to write books at secondary education and university levels, utilizing the papers from previous congresses.
8. Projects and Theses aimed at understanding Creation: It has been expressed that scientists dedicated to the creation congress – especially in the fields of Natural and Social Sciences – should supervise master's and doctoral theses aimed at understanding creation, give courses explaining the truths of creation at undergraduate or graduate levels, and that their scientific publications and projects should be supported.
9. It has been deemed appropriate to continue panels and conferences related to creation after the congress.
10. In line with the decisions taken in previous congresses, it has been recommended that the Congresses on Creation in the Light of Sciences be held annually.
11. It has been deemed appropriate to prepare and publish a Creation Manifesto regarding existence at this congress.”
‘Creation Manifesto’ opened for signatures
At the “VIII. International Congress on Creation in the Light of Sciences”, participating scientists also opened the 'Creation Manifesto' for signatures. The manifesto, also opened to the public for signatures, emphasized that a sufficient level of evidence has been reached indicating that the universe's existence is conscious and by design.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the manifesto is a very ambitious, revolutionary manifesto, saying, 'The way of reason is creation...''
From the manifesto;
“We, as the preparers of this Creation Manifesto, declare and affirm with holistic scientific evidence that that infinite, absolute being of knowledge, will, power, and wisdom (Vacib-ül Vücud – Necessary Existence) conforms to the concept of Tawhid (Allah) as expressed in the Holy Qur’an.”
To sign the ‘Creation Manifesto’ opened for signatures by scientists: