ahmetmustafa
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| The will of Said Nursi | ||
| I attended a symposium held in Van this weekend (Oct. 12-14). The theme of the symposium was built upon a statement made by Said Nursi many years ago. | ||
| Said Nursi was an eminent Islamic thinker who left a great legacy in Turkey when he died in 1960. 100 years ago, Nursi stated that a higher education institution, to be named Medresetuzzehra, should be built in Van. The statement is regarded by his followers as his will, and the symposium was designed as a step to honor and fulfill these intentions in the city Nursi had chosen. Said Nursi is a charismatic figure who has shaped modern-day Turkey, leaving indelible marks on the country. As an interpreter of the Quran, he wrote a book of exegesis known as Risale-i Nur that is extensively read and promoted by his followers. As an activist and religious cleric, Said Nursi inspired a social movement in Turkey that is comparable in influence to the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt. The legacy of this great man, who died 50 years ago, was inherited by his students and followers and has transformed into an influential movement of today. The religious cleric, whose works were been banned until the 1970s in the belief that they were contrary to the principles of secularism, is now one of the most respected symbols in Turkey. The Risale-i Nur movement is radically distinct from the Muslim Brotherhood. The major reason for this distinction is its approach to politics. Said Nursi insistently remained outside of the political realm and asked his followers to do so, as well. For Nursi, the priority of Muslims should be the salvation of people. This occurs through embracing an Islamic lifestyle and committing to a process of internal purification. The Muslim Brotherhood, on the other hand, has since its inception been eager to acquire political power and drafted its policies and programs accordingly. The relationship between politics and Islam in Turkey is marked by the influence of Said Nursi. The apolitical stance of this religious cleric channeled the energy of religious Turks toward social goals rather than political ones. Most importantly, this approach marginalized Islamic groups that held political goals and it prevented the spread and promotion of violent organizations. Those who make a comparison between Turkey and Egypt have to compare Hasan al-Banna and the Muslim Brotherhood to Said Nursi and the Risale-i Nur movement to better understand the differences. The hegemony of Islamic movements that rely on peaceful and reconciliatory methods in Turkey is the product of the strong influence of Said Nursi. The Medresetüzzehra project is symbolic of the inroads that Said Nursi has opened for his followers by relying on non-political tools and methods. Medresetüzzehra is a project of education. It is based on standards of higher education that appeal firstly to the Islamic world, but it also offers modern science alongside religious studies. Education will be based in Arabic, Turkish and Kurdish. The choice of Van for the location of Medresetüzzehra is in no small part due to its centrality in Muslim geography. The school’s name is inspired by Al-Azhar University in Cairo. Zehra is the plural form of azhar in Arabic grammar: Said Nursi referred to his institution as the sister institution of Al-Azhar. Turkey has different traditions stemming from its unique historical experience, traditions that did not emerge overnight. Compared to the rest of the Muslim world, Turkey has been fairly successful in creating peaceful and conciliatory institutions. This success can be attributed to the pluralist societal projects like the one that envisaged the establishment of Medresetüzzehra 100 years ago. Now, one century later, Said Nursi’s dream is coming true. |
The will of Said Nursi