Virginia Theological Seminary students visited Üsküdar Üniversitesi Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RİNAP) within the scope of their research and learning program. Representing RİNAP, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Prof. Dr. Faris Kaya, and Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın gave presentations. Students had the opportunity to learn about Bediüzzaman Said Nursi and the Risale-i Nur works.
The visit, which took place in the RİNAP hall at Üsküdar Üniversitesi South Campus, attracted great interest. During the visit, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, a faculty member from the Philosophy Department of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın from the Department of English Translation and Interpreting, and Prof. Dr. Faris Kaya, a member of the RİNAP Management and Advisory Board, gave speeches.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir: “He taught us that compassion is a divine principle reflected in every aspect of creation”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, a faculty member from the Philosophy Department of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, who joined the program online, presented an in-depth analysis of Said Nursi's understanding of compassion and ethics. Özdemir stated: “Said Nursi taught us that compassion is not merely a human virtue but also a divine principle reflected in every aspect of creation. Even the smallest living beings are valuable as entities representing Allah's mercy.”
In his presentation, Özdemir drew attention to key points such as showing respect to all living beings, demonstrating kindness and empathy even under difficult circumstances, and that compassion is not a choice but a duty as a reflection of divine mercy.
Prof. Dr. Faris Kaya addressed the main themes of Risale-i Nur
Prof. Dr. Faris Kaya, a member of the RİNAP Management and Advisory Board, addressed the main themes of Risale-i Nur. Following both presentations, students participated in discussions by asking questions about topics they were curious about.
Yalçın stated that the Risale-i Nur works are the most beautiful fruit of Said Nursi’s arduous life…
Dr. Lecturer Nafi Yalçın from the Department of English Translation and Interpreting gave a presentation on Said Nursi's educational life, academic career, and religious and social thoughts. In his presentation, he spoke about the importance of Bediüzzaman’s Medreset’üz Zehra project, how his works instilled hope for a bright future in Muslims, his advocacy for liberty as a necessity for social peace and security, and his constant teaching of “positive action.” Yalçın also stated that Said Nursi's works, which he named Risale-i Nur and which explain and prove the messages of the Quran in a manner suitable for contemporary understanding, are the most beautiful fruit of his arduous life.
The program, which attracted great interest from students and academics, concluded after a question and answer session.