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

Abant participants: Turkey needs EU support to improve its democracy

24 June 2012 / YONCA POYRAZ DOĞAN, ABANT No matter the problems related to the European Union’s historical financial crisis and Turkey’s loss of enthusiasm regarding membership in the EU; participants of the 27th Abant meeting, titled “Different Perspectives on Turkey,” have said that Turkey needs the EU in order to improve its fragile democracy. […]

Fethullah Gulen’s Prominence in Indonesia

“The Honorable Gulen is a scholar whose horizon has transcended Turkey’s borders. He is a prolific mind who perfectly marries his thoughts to his words. The tenderness and elegance in his words captivate not only the mind but also the hearts of the reader.”

EU and Turkey’s rights abuse

How did Turkey plunge into this mess of freedom suffocation, and what has really gone wrong with the once-admired President Erdogan ? While I keep pondering on these questions, I believe it is not too late for the Turkish government to retrace its steps and embrace full democratic norms.

Fethullah Gulen’s message to the “Ijma” symposium

Fethullah Gulen sent a message to the symposium entitled “Ijma as a Common Roadmap and Collective Awareness” which took place on April 27-28 in Istanbul. Gulen’s message received a standing ovation in the hall that a large number of guests crowded into. In the message, read aloud at the symposium in presence of a large number […]

Turkish-Arab forum focuses on gov’t oppression on Hizmet

Discussing the recent developments in Turkey and the Muslim world during the “Arab-Turkish Intellectuals Forum” in İstanbul on Tuesday, a scholar from Egypt likened the smear campaign conducted by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against the Hizmet movement to the suppression of a civic movement in Egypt.

The turmoil in Turkey – The terror threat is real and is made worse by Erdogan’s paranoia

Mr. Erdogan’s own Islamist and autocratic tendencies have also compounded the country’s vulnerability. Since an attempted coup last summer, the President has purged thousands of police officers and soldiers, and the resulting talent and resources gap may have damaged Ankara’s counterterror capabilities.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

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

In Case You Missed It

Turkey Carries Out Major NATO Purge

Documents reveal how military carried out campaign against the Gulen [Hizmet] movement

‘Fethullah Gülen and Today’s World’ to be a reference book in Eurasia

Evolution of the Gulen [Hizmet] Movement

Fethullah Gulen: Turkey’s Eroding Democracy (op-ed in NY Times)

Pregnant with twins, Kocaeli woman detained during control at hospital

Fethullah Gulen’s Message of Condolences for Senator John McCain

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News