The 5th International Bediuzzaman and Risale-i Nur Symposium was held in Arena Sports Hall in Ankara on May 27th 2012. The theme of symposium was Ittihad-ı Islam” (Islamic Unity). In the symposium, the crisis of the Islamic world and the solutions were discussed, the importance of the unity was stressed, and the great tasks incumbent on each individual Muslim was outlined.
In addition to the representatives from more than twenty countries, the guests from the countries suffering oppression such as Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Palestine gave speeches which moved the crowd in the hall. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could not join the symposium because of his program. Asst. Prof. Hüseyin Çelik, general vice president of Justice and Development Party, gave a speech in the opening session on behalf of the Prime Minister.
Mr Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a message to the symposium:
Dear friends and participants,
First of all, please excuse me because I could not attend your programme. I wish success to the 5th International Bediuzzaman and Risale-i Nur Symposium.
On this occasion, I welcome all the brothers and sisters from all around the world with sincere feelings deep in the heart, and I want to add that I am pleased to see them in our country.
This year, the subject of Ittihad-i Islam – the Islamic Unity – will be studied and discussed.
With the subject of Ittihad-i Islam – the Islamic Unity – I believe that this meaningful organization will help people to understand the ideas, works, life and struggle of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.
It has been half a century, in fact 52 years, since Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s decease.
However, we know that thanks to the faithful and devoted followers of him, his ideas continue to get beyond the borders of Turkey. As time passes they are transformed into be a shining torch.
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi devoted his life, which is full of challenges and difficulties, to produce works in the light of the Qur’an; and through those unique works; he worked to strengthen his nation’s spiritual and moral values.
However, Nursi both in his life and after his decease had faced many unfounded and unfair accusations that his ideas divided the society by certain groups who couldn’t grasp him adequately for a long period of time. However, throughout his life he used his best efforts and struggled for the unity of the country, nation and Muslims. Indeed, he supported and claimed the idea that all the nations and groups of Islam such as Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Persian and others have to be in unity and alliance.
Nursi, following the process of the declaration of the Republic, he had shown great care to protect the brotherhood of Islam in Turkey and he wholeheartedly supported any attempt for Turkey’s approach to the Islamic countries.
He regarded the independence of Muslim countries after the second world war as the first steps of the “ittihad-i Islam” in future.
Now, when we look back on, we can understand that the ideas of Bediuzzaman and the messages in his works have characteristics and qualities that address to the ages.
I believe that the presentations of the valuable scholars participating in this symposium will be the means to understand Said Nursi’s messages more clearly.
In this respect, may Allah’s mercy be upon Bediuzzaman Said Nursi; and I hope the symposium is held successfully. I salute and greet all the participants and guests with love and respect.
