The 11th International Bediuzzaman Symposium (2017)
The 11th International Bediuzzaman Symposium with the title `A Faith Service Through The Guidance Of The Qur'an and Sunnah: Positive Action` was held in Istanbul between the 1st and 3rd of October, 2017.
The goal of the symposium was to help facilitate a better understanding of the Risale-i Nur, which is a contemporary thematic interpretation of the Qur'an and the spiritual legacy of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, one of the prominent scholars of Islam. After a thorough review of six-hundred papers submitted for this symposium, the scientific committee was able to accept only around a hundred of them. Scholars from more than thirty different countries discussed their papers in different languages throughout the two-day programme.
Human beings are currently facing numerous material and spiritual problems and challenges. In our world we witness mounting problems such as hunger, poverty, social injustice, oppression, conflicts, displaced people, anarchy, terrorism, global warming, and pollution amongst other evils. Despite many efforts, no reliable or lasting solution has been found for such problems and challenges. We can indeed ask: How can the happiness of mankind, both in this life and the Hereafter be provided for? From which approach and perspective can such problems be solved or abated? Can a common and reliable solution be found that deal with the root of such problems?
Throughout his life, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi sought solutions towards tackling the heart of our material and spiritual problems. His treatise, the Risale-i Nur, shows us that the solution and remedy for personal, societal and global problems is connected with the way that humankind approaches and interprets the universe. Nursi's concept of "müsbet hareket" ('positive action') engages with how humans are to "read" the universe as well as how to conduct themselves within creation as a whole. It is a way of life, both theory and practice with respect to Belief in Divine Revelation.
In view of this, our 11th international Nursi symposium titled "A Faith Service Through The Guidance Of The Qur'an and Sunnah: Positive Action" (held 1st-3rd October 2017) was comprised of many presentations, discussions and debates concerning the nature of "musbet hareket" and how it relates to various areas of life as well as to various modern challenges. The symposium featured multi-disciplinary presentations in Arabic, English and Turkish with attendees from many countries around the world as well as participants and observers representing different world religions.
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