Hayrat International Student Association held the 2nd Hayrat Youth Forum with the theme “We instead of I.” One hundred thirty university students from thirty countries studying in Turkey participated in the forum.
With the support of the Municipality of Afyonkarahisar province and the collaboration of Hayrat Foundation representative, the forum started on February 10th 2016 at Hilal Thermal facilities. It provided an opportunity for the undergraduate, post-graduate and PhD international students to meet and mix with each other, and to have studies on our religious values.
Participants, having a 5-day chance to rest and relax, listened to specialist speakers in educational and cultural fields.
In the first day, Hayrat Foundation representative of Afyonkarahisar, Mesut Hizarcı gave a speech titled “A youth in the straight path.”
In the second day, writer and theologian Muhlis Körpe highlighted the importance of Risale-i Nur and its strong evidences in his speech themed “Belief in Allah and Ma’rifatullah.”
The next day, Hayrat Foundation editor-in-chief, Metin Uçar talked about the current situation of the Islamic world and what we can do about it. Hayrat Foundation representative of Bursa, Muhammed Bostan made a speech on “the sale of one’s self and possessions to Allah.”
On Saturday, Hayrat Foundation board member, Bülent Güner put emphasis on the model of “the most fortunate human” in his speech.
In the last speech of the forum, writer and historian Said Yavuz discussed the subject of “the spirit of sacrifice.”
Along with forum speeches, students did group readings where they discussed the “Damascus Sermon” of Imam Bediuzzaman Said Nursi and the “Model of Servant Leadership” of theologian and writer İdris Tüzün.
Afyonkarahisar MP Ms Hatice Özkal and Mayor Mr Burhanettin Çoban also honoured the forum and addressed the students.
The forum ended on February 14th with consultation meetings where objectives, new plans and programs were discussed.
Students took certificate of participation and returned to the cities where they study.
