At British Muslim Heritage Centre in Manchester


Date posted: May 21, 2013

EBU ABDURRAHMAN

An international conference entitled “Islam, Science and Scientism” initiated by Prof. Salim Ayduz took place at British Muslim Heritage Center in Manchester, April 27-28. Participants from a large number of countries including the United States, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey and Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt attended the event. They gave speeches offering insights into whether or not Islam is at odds with science and scientism.

In his opening speech, American professor Robert Morrison discussed how science is influenced and reflected in tafsir (exegesis), with reference to the history of Islamic tafsir. He noted, in this regard, that Islamic civilization made a huge scientific progress particularly short after the advent of Islam which was reflected in tafsir starting from the early periods. In the last part of his speech in which he elaborated on the issue by presenting examples from the early and late period tafsir, he underscored that no one today does a close reading of the subject, as detailed as Fethullah Gulen and Said Nursi did. Morrison went on to say Said Nursi, in particular, is not getting the appreciation he deserves and that no other contemporary Islamic scholar is equally discussing science and scientism in detail. Noting that Said Nursi and Fethulah Gulen have introduced noteworthy interpretations with regard to Darwinism, Ayduz cited examples from 23rd Flash on nature, from Risale-i Nur collection. He concluded his presentation arguing that these two scholars’ views on the issue need proper analyses. The other speakers of the two-day conference as well presented analyses from multiple perspectives.

Another day-one speaker Dr. Hasan Horkuc started off his remarks from “Islam, Science and Scientism and Nursi” perspective. Affirming that Said Nursi is not fully appreciated even in today’s world, he thanked Prof. Morrison for putting emphasis on the issue. Next, he delivered a detailed presentation elaborating on Said Nursi’s struggle against various forms of science or scientism converted into a sort of religion or theology. He further said scientism in modern times is referred to as various names mainly such as positivism, Darwinism, materialism and naturalism. He stressed that Said Nursi is not at odds with psychics, chemistry, biology sciences-which are indeed manifestation of God’s various names, and that, unlike his contemporaries, he studied modern sciences and philosophy as a part of his education and asserted problems of Islam in our age cannot be addressed without contributions of modern sciences, philosophy and the science kalam (discipline of seeking theological knowledge through debate and argument, literally, meaning “word”)

Horkuc further detailed that Said Nursi is not against religion but forms of scientism that evolved into a religion or theology, by citing quotes from Said Nursi and examples from his books. Following his speech, Horkuc received notably positive feedbacks from the audience some of whom demanded the record of his speech. They commented that Said Nursi’s approach is comprehensive and definitely a project. Some, on the other hand, unfortunately-as Horkuc puts it-said they are not familiar with Said Nursi and inquired how and where they can obtain the pieces by this Islamic scholar with such thought-provoking interpretations. Horkuc said a Risale-i Nur Studies program has been available at Durham University for years and added, “The truth is that even the Muslims in England are not truly familiar with Nursi.” Presentations were scheduled to continue on day-two.

Source: [in Turkish] ZamanGermany, 15 May 2013. English translation is retrieved from HizmetMovement.Com


Related News

Turkish Islam and Fethullah Gulen

ŞAHİN ALPAY Many studies concerning Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish religious leader scholar and his movement have been published. The book published by Syracuse University in the United States last month is, however, the most important academic study so far. The book entitled “Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gulen Movement” is edited by John […]

Abant meeting calls for commitment to EU process, new constitution

SEVGİ AKARÇEŞME, ABANT/BOLU/TURKEY Participants of the three-day-long Abant Platform meeting have emphasized the need to finish drafting a new constitution, stressed the importance of a state that is equidistant to all beliefs and underlined the significance of reviving Turkey’s membership talks with the European Union. Long a byword for describing a gathering that attracts a […]

Turkish American Society of Ohio Seeks to Foster Friendship and Understanding Between Cultures

In existence since 2010 and headquartered in Columbus, The Turkish American Society of Ohio’s mission is to introduce Turkish culture into American Society. Through their efforts in dialog and unique community services they also seek to promote friendship and understanding between cultures.

Turkey’s greatest service to the Muslim world

Turkey was a shining star during the years that it implemented democratic reforms internally and improved relations with other countries, particularly its neighbors. Both the West and the Muslim world were watching Turkey’s progress intently and its economic success and democratic transformation would be referred to as exemplary.

Can the West believe in Islamic progress?

This means the [Gulen] movement’s Islamic core is intertwined with an internalization of Western Weberian and Calvinist worldviews, highlighting the interconnectedness of religious principles and economic applications, believing, in the spirit of Capitalism, that socioeconomic prosperity is the most favorable way to bring about and reflect God’s pleasure.

Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef: What we see in ISIL may be fire, but it is not illumination

American-born Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, 64, the imam of Masjid Waarith ud Deen in Irvington, New Jersey, has said, “What the American Muslims see in the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) may be fire, but it is not illumination.”

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

A helping hand to orphan leader’s country Benin

Gülen’s views, concern for Kurdish problem nothing new, report shows

A Shared Struggle: Muslim and Jewish fasters break it together

Pro-gov’t daily: Turkey, Russia could conduct joint operation to abduct Gülen

Fethullah Gulen promotes democracy (CBS News)

Building bridges through knowledge, experience and friendship

Gradual transformation of Turkey into an authoritarian entity under Erdogan’s leadership

Copyright 2024 Hizmet News