INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF SCIENCE & ART IN (ISLAMIC) CIVILISATIONAL RENEWAL

Theme: Science and Culture as Key Dimensions of Civilisational Renewal: “The Thoughts of Badiuzzaman Sa’id Nursi”

Special Guest HER EXCELLENCY SERAP ATAAY

Ambassador of Turkey to Malaysia

Welcoming Remarks PROFESSOR DR MOHAMMAD HASHIM KAMALI

Founding Chairman and CEO, IAIS Malaysia PROFESSOR DR FARIS KAYA

President of Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, Turkey

Date/Day: 4th December 2012 (Tuesday)

Time:

9.30 am - 4.30 pm

Venue: IAIS MALAYSIA

Jalan Elmu, Off Jalan Universiti, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Co-organizers: IAIS MALAYSIA

ISTANBUL FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE AND CULTURE, TURKEY MALAYSIA-TURKEY CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (MTCA)

Program Agenda 09.30 am: Registration and Refreshments/Networking 10.00 am: Welcoming Remarks by

1) PROFESSOR DR MOHAMMAD HASHIM KAMALI (Founding Chairman and CEO, IAIS Malaysia) 2) PROFESSOR DR FARIS KAYA (President of Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, Turkey)

10.15 am First Session: The Role and Place of Knowledge, Science, Faith and Morality for

a Better Future of Humankind: Sa'id Nursi’s Perspective Moderator: PROFESSOR DR KARIM DOUGLAS CROW (Principal Fellow, IAIS Malaysia)

Speakers: 1) PROFESSOR DR COLIN TURNER

(Durham University, United Kingdom) Topic: On reading creation: Sa'id Nursi and the concept of the 'self-referential' and the ‘Other-indicative'

2) EMERITUS PROFESSOR DR YUNUS CENGEL [Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey and University of Nevada, Reno, (USA)] Topic: Nursi’s View of Sciences and the Scientific Method

3) PROFESSOR DATO’ DR ZULKIFLI HAJI MOHD YUSOFF & MS BETANIA KARTIKA MUFLIH (University of Malaya, Malaysia) Topic: Strengthening one’s Faith through the Qur’anic and Cosmic Signs: The Approach of Imam Bediuzzaman Sa'id Nursi in his Rasail al Nur

11.40 am Second Session: Sa’id Nursi’s Ideas on Science and Development

Moderator: DR DAUD BATCHELOR (Associate Fellow, IAIS Malaysia)

Speakers: 1) PROFESSOR DR MUHAMMAD SIROZI

State Institute for Islamic Studies [IAIN] Palembang, Indonesia Topic: The Revitalization of Science in the Muslim World: Some Ideas from Bediuzzaman Sa'id Nursi

2) ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR ISMAIL LATIF HACINEBIOGLU (Süleyman Demirel University, Turkey) Topic: Epistemic preferences through holistic approach of knowledge: Nature, Science and Revelation as books of divine

3) MRS MAHSHID TURNER (Durham University, United Kingdom) Topic: Can the effects of religion and spirituality on both physical and mental health be scientifically measured?

1.00 pm: Networking Lunch & Zuhr Prayer 2.30 pm: Third Session: Sa’id Nursi and the Civilisational Renewal (Tajdid Hadhari)

Moderator: MR ABDUL KARIM ABDULLAH (Research Fellow, IAIS Malaysia) Speakers: 1) ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR HJ FADHLULLAH JAMIL

[University Science Malaysia (USM)] Topic: Badiuzzaman Sa'id Nursi; His Influence and Impact upon the Malay World: An Overview

2) ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR SAIM KAYADIBI [International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)] Topic: Revitalizing the Civilizational Parameters in Sa'id Nursi’s Weltanschauing: An Ontological Struggle

3) DR MOHAMMED FARID ALI (Research Fellow, IAIS Malaysia) Topic: Contentment as a means to mercy and beneficence: With Special Reference to Bediuzzaman Sa'id Nursi’s Risale-i Nur

4.15 pm: Concluding Remarks and Deliberating the Way Forward by

1) PROFESSOR DR FARIS KAYA 2) PROFESSOR DR MOHAMMAD HASHIM KAMALI

4.30 pm: End of Conference and Refreshments/Networking CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS The organisers will undertake to publish the conference proceedings for wider distributions. Speakers and paper writers are therefore requested to submit their full papers to IAIS Malaysia (for the attention of Mr Mohd Nuruddin Abd Manap at mohdnuruddin@iais.org.my) at your earliest convenience but no later than 31 December 2012.

For further information about the programme, kindly visit www.iais.org.my and

www.nursistudies.com.

LIST OF ABSTRACTS

ON READİNG CREATİON: SA’İD NURSİ AND THE CONCEPT OF THE 'SELF-REFERENTİAL' AND THE 'OTHER-İNDİCATİVE'

Professor Dr Colin Turner

Durham University, United Kingdom Key to Sa’id Nursi’s Weltanschauung is his elucidation of the twin concepts of ma‘nā-ye ismī (self-referential) and ma‘nā-ye harfī (Other-indicative), which represent the two diametrically opposed hermeneutical positions open to man as ‘reader’ of the cosmic narrative. For Nursi, the polarity is stark and simple: either one interprets the individual verses in the cosmic narrative as ‘Other-indicative’ (ma‘nā-ye harfī),namely as signs pointing to the Creator; or one deracinates them from their Divine origin and imposes on them a ‘self-referential’ meaning (ma‘nā-ye ismī), claiming that they indicate none other than their own existences. To grasp the dynamics of Nursi’s treatment of ismī and harfī‘meanings’ allows us insights into his approach to the sacred/profane dichotomy, while allowing us, inter alia, to move away from the problematic notion of the ‘Islamicization of knowledge’ and to move instead towards the idea of the ‘Quranicization of understanding’.

NURSI’S VIEW OF SCIENCES AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Emeritus Professor Dr Yunus Çengel Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey and

University of Nevada, Reno, United States of America (USA) The 20th century has witnessed unprecedented attacks on the foundations of faith by materialists in the name of sciences and advancement. Nursi responded to these attacks by devoting all his efforts to save and strengthen belief, which he viewed as the most important matter for humanity. And he did this by appealing to modern man’s mentality using a modern methodology. In Risale-i Nur, Nursi demonstrates through clearly reasoned arguments that all tenets of belief, such as God’s existence and bodily resurrection, can be proven rationally. He even goes further and shows that the truths of belief are the only rational explanation of existence. Using easily understood mental scenarios, analogies, and reasoned proofs; he has shown that the truths of religion are quite compatible with the findings of observation-based modern sciences. In fact, those findings reinforce the truths of belief. The problem lies not in scientific discoveries, but in the interpretation of those discoveries by the materialist point of view. With the method employed in Risale-i Nur, Nursi demonstrates on the basis of careful observations that creation is the sign of a Creator, and the universe is a grand magnificent book and not purposeless piles of matter. Nursi argues that the secret of true enlightenment and the everlasting joy lies in the correct reading and study of the book of the universe, and the resulting deepened belief that indulges the reader. Nursi can be portrayed as a new-age

religious scholar and a theologian as he has chosen observation and reason as his main platform of study, with testimony serving in a supporting role. Instead of taking scripts as indisputable facts, Nursi uses observations and reason to prove the stated facts in the scripts. That is, he closed the door to blind submission that sidesteps the mind and opened the way for convincing via rational arguments by fully engaging the mind. It can even be said that Nursi combined natural theology and revealed theology and merged revelation with reason. In his approach which is unique in theology, Nursi combines the best of empiricism, rationalism, and testimony and sets the stage for inference by appealing to the mind and conscience of the reader. Therefore, Nursi’s approach resembles in many ways the modern scientific method of inquiry. He demonstrates in his Risale-i Nur collection that faith and sciences are not adversaries but rather allies. He also mentions that all sciences continuously speak of God and make known of the Creator in their particular ways. Nursi maintains that there can be no contradiction between confirmed scientific facts and religion, and that careful observations and objective thinking that form the platform of positive sciences necessitate belief rather than disbelief. Despite the common perception, Nursi asserts that sciences that maintain objectivity and logical consistency confirm belief and do not refute it.

FAITH STRENGTHENING THROUGH SCIENTIFIC VALUES IN THE COSMOS: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY FROM IMAM BEDIUZZAMAN SA’ID NURSI’S RASAIL AL NUR

Professor Dato’ Dr Zulkifli Haji Mohd Yusoff and Mrs Betania Kartika Muflih

University of Malaya, Malaysia This work investigates the methods and ideas of Imam Bediuzzaman Sa’id Nursi regarding the importance of science development in human affairs and to understand his lively scriptural approach to the scientific value in nature. This work is aimed to highlight distinctive aspects and features of his approach and methodology of Qur’anic exegesis related to belief in Allah through His cosmos. It discusses the background, the reason and the purpose behind Imam Bediuzzaman’s approach to the issue at hand. This thesis follows library and textual analysis to answer the research questions and address the main problematic. Hence, it concludes that it is necessary to situate Imam Bediuzzaman’s work within the context of Tauhid (Divine Unity) framework, which constitutes the background of his entire system of thought. Through the insight of Tauhid, all happenings in this universe are the product of universal wisdom and under the direct control of Wise Lord. Imam Bediuzzamam’s ideas on sciences will explain why Muslims, all around the world, need to pay serious attention on the development of sciences in Islamic society. He further argues that science development in Muslim society must be based on Divine Unity. All scientific achievements need to reveal the unity of nature and provide patterns that allow people to contemplate the Divine Unity. From the perspective of Tauhid too, the order in this universe is the manifestation of the All-Wise, All-Knowing and All-Powerful Creator’s practices

THE REVITALIZATION OF SCIENCE IN THE MUSLIM WORLD: SOME IDEAS FROM BEDIUZZAMAN SA’ID NURSI

Professor Dr Muhammad Sirozi

State Institute for Islamic Studies [IAIN] Palembang, Indonesia This paper discusses state of the art of science in the Muslim world. It evaluates the rise and fall of scientific enterprises and explores challenges and opportunities for the revitalization of science in the Muslim world. The evaluation and exploration mainly refers to ideas that are introduced and explained by Bediuzzaman Sa’id Nursi in Risalei Nur. This paper begins with the discussion of the relevance and importance of science in Islamic teachings and in the development of Islamic civilization. In particular, discussion focuses on major ideas that promoted scientific development and the factors that caused scientific degradation in the history of Islamic civilization. The connection between the development of science and the development of social and economic life in many parts of the world will be highlighted. In this regard, ideas from Bediuzzaman Sa’id Nursi are discussed, compared, and assessed for their relevance to the revitalization of science in the Muslim world. The similarities and differences between Nursi's ideas and the ideas that have been introduced by other Muslim scholars will be highlighted and the relevance of the ideas will be assessed in term of a need to revitalize Islamic civilization. This paper concludes that Nursi's ideas are relevant to the contemporary challenges of scientific development in the Muslim world, and need to be further explored, discussed, and explained in order to inspire Muslim leaders and scientists with genuine ideas and appropriate action plans for the revitalization of science in the Muslim world.

EPISTEMIC PREFERENCES THROUGH WHOLISTIC APPROACH OF KNOWLEDGE: NATURE, SCIENCE AND REVELATION AS BOOKS OF DIVINE

Associate Professor Dr Ismail Latif Hacinebioglu

Süleyman Demirel University, Turkey Epistemic preferences are crucial to view phenomena of nature. Physical world and metaphysical world need to be seen in certain perspectives to evaluate whole existence. In order to reach meaningful evaluation of the whole beingness, Sa’id Nursi seems to suggest a holistic approach to knowledge which is laid in both natural phenomena of the world and revealed knowledge to the prophet. Both sources of knowledge signifys eternal meaning of whole existence. Natural phenomena and revealed words of God are both Books of God. One is called Kitab-ı Kebir-i Kainat in which phenomena are exposed in the whole universe and explored by scientific effort along with personal contemplation. The other Kitab-ı Hakim also provides many signs and insight into the universe to reach holistic knowledge and unifying meaningful interpretation of all physical and meta-physical phenomena. Nursi offers an epistemic ground for interpreting knowledge not only for intellectuals but also for ordinary man to perceive all existence in a unique way which he would call the Quranic perspective. Moreover, he frames his epistemic preferences around nature and revelation. This leads to emphasis on a holistic approach to knowledge with a unity of sources and no discrimination or prejudice to any source of knowledge. In this paper I will sketch out main themes of this methodological approach to framing epistemic preferences.

CAN THE EFFECTS OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY ON BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH BE SCIENTIFICALLY MEASURED?

Mrs Mahshid Turner

Durham University, United Kingdom Within Western secular societies everything has to be substantiated by empirical evidence; this means it has to be quantifiable and measurable. Research, particularly quantitative research, then, is the criterion by which everything, including religion, is either accepted or rejected. The separation of religion from science began with the Renaissance, the Reformation and the advent of the Enlightenment. It was perceived that religion did not match the language of science and that there was no logical proof or empirical evidence for the existence of God. Religion therefore, due to its inability to be measured and quantified, has since been largely marginalized. In recent times, in order to integrate 'religion' into everyday life, attempts have been made to argue and bring in scientific proof for the effectiveness of religion for improved health and well-being. The psychiatrist Harold Koenig has been one of the key people whose collation of research evidence has shown that religion has a positive effect on both physical and mental health. By looking firstly at the definitions of religion and spirituality and then discussing various opinions from both secular and religious perspectives, including those of Sa’id Nursi, this paper aims to determine whether religion and spirituality can indeed be measured.

BADI ‘UZZAMAN SA‘ID NURSI; HIS INFLUENCE AND IMPACT UPON THE MALAY WORLD: AN OVERVIEW

Associate Professor Dr Hj Fadhlullah Jamil

University Science Malaysia (USM) This paper deals with the life story of a great alim, mujaddid and mujahid of modern Turkey, that is, Ustaz Badi ‘uzzaman Sa‘id Nursi rahmatullah ‘alaih (the blessing of Allah be upon him). In this discussion, a special emphasis will be given to his ideas on the question of theology, education, Muslim unity, freedom and science, and his bitter struggle against secularism and atheism. At the same time, we shall try to evaluate his influence and impact upon the Malay world (Nusantara or Alam Melayu) as a whole. Sa‘id Nursi was born in 1873 in the village of Nurs, in the province of Bitlis, Eastern Anatolia. He was of Kurdish descent and belonged to a Muslim family of moderate prosperity. Since his early days, he was very intelligent and a gifted debater. He was educated in religious sciences such as usuluddin, fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), and tafsir (exegesis of al-Qur’an), as well as in history, philosophy, logic, Sufism and geography. Later, he had also studied modern sciences and mathematics. He was able to master all these disciplines in a short time. Due to this extraordinary intelligence and his ability to defeat a number of scholars of eastern Turkey in a series of debates, he was given the nickname, Badi‘uzzaman (Wonder of the Age), the name which stuck to him ever since. Until now, his influence and impact upon the Malay world have been minimal indeed. The history of Sa‘id Nursi and his struggle in both the Ottoman Empire and Republic Turkey are known only to a small circle of Muslim intellectuals within Malaysia and Indonesia. Even then, they belong to the haraki (movement) oriented Muslims who uphold the Salafi doctrines and the need to build up Islamic society based on Islamic principles. For example, ABIM (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia or The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia) and their peers within Wadah (Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia or Platform for the Regeneration of Ummah, Malaysia) happened to be the Muslim group which introduced the history of Sa‘id Nursi and his ideas in Malaysia. Beyond that most Muslims of Malaysia have never heard of his struggle and his contributions towards the revival of Islam in Turkey. Our educated Muslims here are more familiar with the development of Islam in the Arab world, especially of the contributions made by Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Brothers) of Egypt and Syria. Besides this, our Muslim intellectuals are also concerned about Islamic development in Indo-Pakistan Sub-continent, that is, of the Jami ‘at –e Islami (Arabic, Jami ‘at al-Islami) of Pakistan and Muhammadiyah of Indonesia. Sa‘id Nursi is known through the writings of certain Turkish Muslim activists and Muslim writers of British and Pakistani origin. Malaysian students in U.K who joined FOSIS (Federation of Students Islamic Societies) discovered him while taking active part in da’wah and tarbiyyah programmes organized by the organization. As members of the organisation, they were able to read various books and journals including those from Turkey and Europe. From here, they introduced the history of Sa‘id Nursi to members of ABIM in Malaysia. Likewise in Indonesia, the knowledge about Sa‘id Nursi is also fairly recent. It was introduced by students of middle class background who had studied abroad. At present, his life history and contributions are studied at a number of universities in Malaysia and Indonesia. In several instances, attempts have also been made to introduce the scholar to the general public through classes given at mosques. Hopefully, all his

positive contributions will be studied in order to move the Muslims in Nusantara towards a truly developed Muslim nation of the modern world.

REVITALIZING THE CIVILIZATIONAL PARAMETERS IN SA’ID NURSI’S WELTANSCHAUUNG: AN ONTOLOGICAL STRUGGLE

Associate Professor Dr Saim Kayadibi

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

The whole life span of Said Nursi is a summary of his ontological straggle which reflects awareness of the reality of being created as a vicegerent (khalifatullah) of Allah on earth that is a great responsibility endowed by the Eternal Lord. It fell upon him to implement this awareness, a continuous responsibility maintained since the creation of the first man. In order to be aware of this reality, a fundamental parameters must be kept vibrant and these parameters are mainly the ontological consciousness, science and knowledge (epistemology), value (axiology), ummatic/humanity responsibility, the civilizational memory, the sense of self perception, self-confidence, and social cosmology. These values automatically accentuate the psychological motivation of Muslim individuals and masses to stand firm against secular, materialist, injust, monopolist as well as hegomonist mentalities. Once Said Nursi realized his great responsibility as the vicegerent (khalifatullah) of Allah on earth, it persuaded him to reawaken his ontological consciousness to be a significant being rather that an artificial element or subject on earth. With strong faith a man of action can create remarkable revolutions. Along with the rest of the Ottoman Empire as the heart of the Caliphate of Islam, atheism, secularism and materialism became fashionable in the Western world as well as in Turkey. All sensibility for religious values has been vilified and consequently dreadful cruelties made against believers to destroy religious values. Such attacks are made on the foundations of the faith by secularists and materialists in the name of science, nature and politics. As one of the many Sufi leaders and faith survivors, Said Nursi (ks) responded to these secular and materialist attacks especially in Turkey by devoting his life to protect and reinforce the most important maqasid al-shari‘ (the high objective of the Lawgiver) for human beings. This paper, therefore, investigates the ontological struggle of Said Nursi against secular and materialistic approaches, and his effort to revitalize the inner dimensions of the Islamic Civilization and his Weltanschauung, taking into consideration of the latest film made of him: “Free Man” (“Hür Adam”).

CONTENTMENT AS A MEANS TO MERCY AND BENEFICENCE: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BEDIUZZAMAN SA'ID NURSI’S RISALE-I NUR

Dr Mohammed Farid Ali

IAIS Malaysia This paper looks at contentment (qana’at) in Kulliyyat Rasa’il al-Nur al-Maktubat of Sa’id Nursi. Said Nursi described contentment by highlighting its opposite which is greed (hirs). He advances the thesis that greed is the source of destruction, whereas contentment is the means to mercy and beneficence. Sa’id Nursi referred to Qur’anic verses, Prophetic traditions and gave illustrations and allegories to express his concept of contentment. The paper discusses these and finds that Sa’id Nursi’s approach to contentment and greed is not limited to personal character only, but highlights its significance to social well-being and to the practicalities of life. Sa’id Nursi’s explanation of contentment is relevant to the realities of our time and the good advice it can provide for today’s generation, oil-producing countries, and the industrial west. Its main emphasis is on the importance of contentment for human character building which plays a critical role in the larger agenda of civilisational renewal. Sa’id Nursi’s work stands out for its insightful contribution to the relationship of character to the rise and fall of societies and civilisations. This presentation seeks to explore his views on contentment and show their relation to the advancement of character and through it to the benefit of society and civilization.

BIODATA OF SPEAKERS AND PAPER PRESENTERS PROFESSOR DR COLIN TURNER, PhD, is a Reader in Islamic Thought in the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University. He received hi PhD in Islamic Studies from Durham University in 1989 and his B.A. (Hons. First Class) in Oriental Studies (Arabic, Persian, Islamic Studies and Anthropology) from the same university in 1982. He is also Member of the Centre for the History of Political Thought and Member of the Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Dr. Turner is an author of numerous books on Islam, Quran, Muslim world, Islamic Civilisation and a thematic dictionary of modern Persian. He has also edited books on Said Nursi and Shiism published articles on variety of subjects in Islam, Quran, Shiism and Said Nursi’s thought. He can be reached at c.p.turner@durham.ac.uk. EMERITUS PROFESSOR DR YUNUS CENGEL, PhD, formerly a Presidential Advisor for International Cooperation for The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey and a dean and faculty member in Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul is currently a Professor Emeritus at University of Nevada in Reno, Advisor to OIC in Science, technology and Innovation, Advisor to the Minister of Energy of Turkey, Advisor to the Ministry of National Education – EU Projects Office and a faculty member in Adnan Menderes University in Aydin, Turkey. He is a prolific author with 7 books and some of them have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, Greek, Persian and French, 14 invited papers and presentations, 29 articles in refereed journals and 42 presentations of papers at numerous seminars in various subjects and topics. Prof. Cengel is also a Textbook Author for McGraw-Hill Inc. of six widely used textbooks in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. He is a member to the American Society for Engineering Education and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He received number of awards as faculty member and author such as ASEE Meriam/Wiley Distinguished Author Award in year 2000 and 1992. He used to serve as consultant to numbers of cooperation and involved in many externally funded projects. He is also Member of ASME Advanced Energy System Committee, Reviewer for various organisations and journals and Member of the Editorial Board of The International Journal of Sciences and Engineering. He can be reached at yunus.cengel@tubitak.gov.tr or yunus.cengel@yahoo.com.

PROFESSOR DATO’ DR ZULKIFLI HAJI MOHD YUSOFF is the Director, Centre for Qur’anic Research established at the University of Malaya. The centre aims to promote research in Qur’anic and Islamic studies. It employs modern technological means to learn and teach the Qur’an and its interpretation, thus spreading the words of Allah (the Qur’an) and its sciences to the wider Muslim community. It also provides opportunities for academic collaboration among academicians, researchers, experts and scholars from interdisciplinary fields. This effort is in line with University of Malaya’s aspiration to be ‘Leader in Research & Innovation’. While the thrust of the research understands the classical Arabic language of the Qur’an and its subtleties and nuances, the centre also aims to bring the Qur’anic wisdom to contemporary readers. To accomplish its goal the centre also conducts lectures and conferences on various topics related to the study of the Qur’an and Hadith. Under the leadership of Prof Zulkifli Yusoff the centre has expanded considerably within a short span of time. At the mean time is acting dean for academy of Islamic Studies, university of Malaya. He can be reached at zulkifliy@gmail.com. MRS BETANIA KARTIKA MUFLIH, PhD candidate in the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Department of Qur’an and Hadith, University of Malaya, Malaysia and an Academic staff of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM Holdings), Lower Education Sdn. Bhd. teaching Qur’an, Islamic Studies and Arabic as a Second language (English medium). Her Doctoral dissertation’s title is: The Concept of Moral Education in the Thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi in His Rasail al- Nur (in English) under the Supervision of Professor Dato’ Dr. Zulkifli Haji Mohd Yusoff. She obtained her MA from International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan in 1997 in the faculty of Usuluddin, department of Tafsir Hadith, and wrote the thesis titled: The Works of Imam Ibn Shihab Az Zuhry in Hadith and Its Sciences (in Arabic: إلمام ابن شهاب الزهري في جهود ا

under the supervision of DR Farhat Hasyimi. Betania has been teaching as her (الحديث و علومهprofessional career since 1994, at National University of Modern Languages Islamabad Pakistan, for 6 years. She was also teaching at Federal Institute of Modern Languages and some other International schools in Islamabad. In year 2000 she started teaching at the IMF Islamic School in Los Angeles California until 2006, and at the same time worked voluntarily at Horizon School, Islamic Center of Southern California for two years. She joined IIUM Holdings since October 2006-present. Her objective is to be one of the contributors of Islamic Ummah’s glories in particular, and humanity in general. She can be reached at anazain@gmail.com.

PROFESSOR DR MUHAMMAD SIROZI is a Professor of Educational Studies at Raden Fatah State Institute of Islamic Studies in Palembang, Indonesia. In 1992, he finished his master program in Department of Social Anthropology at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. In 1998, he finished his Ph.D program in Department of Educational Policy Studies, School of Education, Monash University, Australia. His major areas of research interest are the politics of education, higher education and globalization, internationalization of Islamic higher education, and higher education management. Professor Sirozi has published 11 books and 90articles on various topics related to his areas of interests. From 2002 to 2004, Muhammad Sirozi was subsequently a Fulbright Visiting Scholar and Research Fellow at Hartford Seminary, Connecticut, USA; Ohio University, Ohio, USA; and University of Urbana Champaigne, Illinois, USA. He is a member of 2005-2006 Fulbright New Century Scholars Research Group, focusing on Globalization and Higher Education. From 2000 to 2007, Sirozi was Director of Postgraduate Studies and since 2007 is Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at Raden Fatah State Institute of Islamic Studies. He is also currently the Chairman of South Sumatera Education Council, General Secretary of South Sumatera Association for Muslim Intellectuals, and a member of the Advisory Board of Mayor of Palembang City. He can be reached at sirozi62@hotmail.com. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR ISMAIL LATIF HACINEBIOGLU, PhD, is a Visiting Scholar of Islamic Philosophy at Trinity College, University of Wales and a Lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies Department at Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey. He was appointed as Associate Professor in 2008 and he received his PhD in Philosophy of Religion and Logic from University of Wales, Lampeter in 2001. Dr. Hacinebioglu is an author of 3 books on logic, epistemology and religion and he has published dozen of articles in English and Turkish. He has also presented number of papers in numerous conferences in New York, London, Birmingham, Lampeter, Durham, Oxford, Manchester and Isparta. He can be reached at hacinebioglu@yahoo.com. MRS MAHSHID TURNER is a PhD student at Durham University, Theology Department. She has been studying Nursi’s work for over 30 years hence the interest to write her PhD on Nursi. Her degree was in the Social sciences. She has also the equivalent of degree in Social work (mental health) and Masters in Public Health (Health Sciences). Her work experience therefore has mainly been in the caring profession whether as a volunteer, working for charities (voluntary agencies) or statutory agencies such as the National Health Service. She lives in Durham with her husband Colin Turner and 3 children who have now grown up. She can be reached at mahshidturner@hotmail.com.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR HAJI FADHLULLAH BIN JAMIL, PhD, was formerly Chairman, WADAH (an Islamic organization for senior ABIM members), a Platform for Revitalization of the Ummah, Penang Branch, and Deputy Chairman of the Ulama Association of Malaysia, Penang Branch. He currently teaches as part-time lecturer in the School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Penang, in Islamic Intellectual History, and Eastern and Western Historiography, particularly focussing on the field of Comparative Study and History of Modern India; is a Trustee for Ma’ahad ‘Uthmaniyyah, Sungai Glugor, Penang; a member of the Shura Council for Penang State since 2009; and Chairman of the Qaryah Committee of Masjid Jami’ Sg. Glugor since 2008. Until 2002, Dr Fadlullah lectured in the USM School of Humanities specializing in the Early History of Islam and the History of Modern Middle East. He obtained his PhD in Islamic Studies from Edinburgh University in 1988, MA in History of the Middle East from London University in 1979, and BA (Honours) from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1974. Dr Fadlullah has written 6 books and some 60 articles and reports in various magazines and journals. His book, Islam di Asia Barat Moden: Penjajahan dan Pergolakan (Islam in Modern West Asia: Imperialism and Upheaval ) won the award for Best Writer of an Academic Work for “Anugerah Media Islam Negara” in 2008. He can be reached at hamdi45a@yahoo.com. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR SAIM KAYADIBI, PhD, currently Deputy Director, International Affairs Division (IAD); teaches in the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM); formerly President of Turkish Community Association in Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Advisor and Interpreter of the Mayor of Metropolitan Municipality of Konya; Secretary of the Critic and Analytic Thinking Platform in Turkey. Research Associate in the Centre for Islam and Social Sciences (SISS); Research Associate in International Institute of Islamic Law, Management and Finance (ILMF) in Australia; Coordinator of the Unit of the World Countries Studies. Born in Turkey, studied at al-Azhar University, the University of Jordan, and obtained his M Phil and PhD from Durham University, United Kingdom. Attended more than 100 International Symposiums; published more than 250 articles in numerous journals, newspapers and Magazines, published 11 books. He has taught Islamic banking and finance, mu‘amalat, Islamic law, usul al-fiqh, constitutional law, Maqasid al-Shari‘ (High Objectives of the Lawgiver) and Shariah-oriented public policy in various countries like England, Turkey, and Malaysia. His areas of interests are Islamic Legal Theory and Jurisprudence; Islamic Economics and Finance; Political Economy; Public Policy; Juristic Preference in Islamic Law (istihsan); Halal Industry; Muslim International Law; The Ottoman Legal Heritage; Malay Archipelago Studies; Human Rights and Democracy; Sufism, The Philosophy of Rûmi and Nursi Studies. In 2011 he has received the Best Academician Award and the Best Library Partner Awards from IIUM. He can be reached at skayadibi@yahoo.com.

DR MOHAMMED FARID ALI is a Research Fellow at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS Malaysia) from Fiji Islands. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Muslim World Issues) from ISTAC in 2011. He completed his specialization in Higher Islamic Studies and Jurisprudence in al-Jamia al-Ashrafia, Lahore, Pakistan from 1998 to 2001. Under this programme he submitted his thesis, worked in the Dar al-Ifta, and wrote fatwas under the supervision of the head-Mufti until he achieved his permission to give fatwa. Prior to this he obtained his al-Alamiyah in Arabic and Islamic Sciences from al-Jamia al-Ashrafia in 1998. In this discourse he studied classical Persian Language, Arabic language and its different sub-fields, Qur’an and Usul al-Tafsir, the Six books of Hadith, Usul al-Hadith, Muwatta Imam Malik and Muwatta Imam Muhammad, Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, Logic, Kalam, Tasawwuf, and etc. With his initiation and training in the Naqshbandi Mujaddidiyah Tariqah he is focusing on the Akhlaq aspects of the Muslim society, how an individual’s character can contribute to a good community and society and how it can solve social and environmental problems. He can be reached at abumariyah@iais.org.my.

BIODATA OF MODERATORS PROFESSOR DR KARIM DOUGLAS CROW is Principal Research Fellow at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur since 2008. He took his Doctorate in Islamic Studies from the Institute of Islamic Studies at McGill University in Montreal. Born in Beirut of Lebanese and American parents, he studied in Damascus and Cairo, and earned his B.A. and M.A. from the American University of Beirut. From 1981–1997 he taught Arabic Language & Literature and Islamic intellectual and religious disciplines in North America at: Columbia University, New York University, Fordham University, The University of Virginia, University of Maryland, and The American University; next in Malaysia (ISTAC: 1999–2005); and then Singapore (Rajaratnam School of International Studies: 2006–2008). His research and publications centre on the functions of intelligence and rationality in Islam; metaphysical and spiritual topics in Asian societies; the Sunnī–Shī‘ah schism (his edited volume Facing One Qiblah, Singapore 2005); and Islamic Peace studies. Current research examines civilisational implications of globalizing trends within Muslim societies; rationality and modernity; and ethical & philosophic dimensions of Muslim thinking (his edited volume Islam, Cultural Transformation and the Re-emergence of Falsafah, Tehran 2009). He is working on several books: Consuming Islam: In Search of Islamic Lifestyle; and Lamp of Knowledge: Career & Teaching of Ja‘far al-Sādiq [IIP, forthcoming]. For the past sixteen years Professor Crow serves as Advisor for non-governmental programs on Islamic peace education in the Arab world, the Caucasus, Iran, and Indonesia. He participates regularly in international colloquia in Asia and Europe. He can be reached at karimc@iais.org.my. MR ABDUL KARIM ABDULLAH joined IAIS in February 2008. Previously he worked at the University Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) for five years as lecturer, editor, writer, and coordinator of the English program. There he also taught Shakespeare from the Islamic perspective. He obtained an MA from the University of Toronto, Canada, in 1999 in political theory, with a focus on the challenges presented to universal values by moral relativism. In 1986 he obtained a M.Ed. at the University of Toronto, with a focus on moral and religious education. He obtained a BA (Honors) in 1976 from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, majoring in politics with a minor in economics. After graduation, he taught economics, law, history, mathematics, world issues, and English literature, in a number of matriculation programs. He is married to Zahara binti Samad, a Malaysian. They have one daughter. Current projects include an Occasional Paper Series on the “Problematics in Islamic Finance and the Benefits of Profit and Loss Sharing” and a book on “Hudud: a Global Perspective,” to be co-authored with Professor Kamali. Co-edited books include Issues in Sukuk and Reform Proposals, 2012, with Professor Kamali, to be published by KUBE Publications, UK, as well as Islamic Studies at World Institutions of Higher Learning (Kuala Lumpur: USIM, 2004). Articles include “Understanding the Root Cause of the Debt Crisis: Interest-based Financing,” in Islam and Civilisational Renewal, ICR, vol. 3, no. 4, 2012, “Overcoming Weaknesses in Sukuk Structures: Towards Risk Sharing in Islamic Finance” ICR, vol. 2, no. 4, 2011, “Strengthening Critical Thinking Skills Among Muslim Students,” ICR, vol. 1 no. 4, 2010, and “The Role of Adjustable Rate Subprime Mortgages and Credit Default Swaps in the Global Financial Crisis,” ICR, vol. 1 no. 2, 2009. He can be reached at abdulkarim@iais.org.my.

DR DAUD BATCHELOR joined IAIS in September 2012 as Associate Fellow. He has a diverse professional experience and qualifications in the fields of Islam, the Environment and Earth Sciences. He has worked in industry (e.g. MMC and Petronas in Malaysia), consulting, and taught at universities in Malaysia (Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia) and the Sultanate of Oman. He has a Master of Arts in Islamic and Other Civilisations from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) for research on Islamic political systems (Pakistan and Iran) and Diploma of Islamic Studies. Dr Daud is co-founder of the Islamic College of Brisbane. He was awarded the Longmans Prize for his doctorate at Universiti Malaya. He also has a Master of Science from the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London; Master of Engineering Science in environmental management; and Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Queensland. Current Projects are focused on the ‘state of the Muslim ummah’ including research into ideal Islamic political systems, which are relevant to current topical developments in the Middle East and South Asia. He is also working on a methodology for rating Muslim majority countries on the basis of their Islamic well-being and Islamicity. Publications comprise over 50 articles in Islam, environment, earth and marine sciences including: “Flaws of ‘Democracy’ facilitate dangerous elite control over Australian foreign policy. [Sydney: Muslims Australia (Periodical of Australian Federation of Islamic Councils), 2010]; and “The ‘Lucky Country’, bordering the Malay Muslim world: Barrier and Bridges” in Proceedings, Fifth International Conference on the Muslim World and the West [International Institute for Muslim Unity & IIUM, 2006]. He can be reached at daud.batchelor@iais.org.my.

BEDIÜZZAMAN SAID NURSÎ: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was born in 1877 in eastern Turkey and died in 1960 in Urfa in Turkey. Readers may refer to his biography for details of his long and exemplary life, which spanned the last decades of the Ottoman Empire, its collapse after the First World War and the setting up of the Republic, then the twenty-five years of Republican Peoples' Party rule, well-known for the measures taken against Islam, followed by the ten years of Democrat rule, when conditions eased a little for Bediuzzaman.

Bediuzzaman displayed an extraordinary intelligence and ability to learn from an early age, completing the normal course of medrese (religious school) education at the early age of fourteen, when he obtained his diploma. He became famous for both his prodigious memory and his unbeaten record in debating with other religious scholars. Another characteristic Bediuzzaman displayed from an early age was an instinctive dissatisfaction with the existing education system, which when older he formulated into comprehensive proposals for its reform. The heart of these proposals was the bringing together and joint teaching of the traditional religious sciences and the modern sciences, together with the founding of a university in the Eastern Provinces of the Empire, the Medresetü'z-Zehra, where this and his other proposals would be put into practice. In 1907 his endeavours in this field took him to Istanbul and an audience with Sultan Abdulhamid. Although subsequently he twice received funds for the construction of his university, and its foundations were laid in 1913, it was never completed due to war and the vicissitudes of the times.

Contrary to the practice of religious scholars at that time, Bediuzzaman himself studied and mastered almost all the physical and mathematical sciences, and later studied philosophy, for he believed that it was only in this way that Islamic theology (kalâm) could be renewed and successfully answer the attacks to which the Qur'an and Islam were then subject.

In the course of time, the physical sciences had been dropped from medrese (madrasah) education, which had contributed directly to the Ottoman decline relative to the advance of the West. Now, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Europe had gained dominance over the Islamic world, and in efforts to extend its dominance, was attacking the Qur'an and Islam in the name of science and progress in particular, falsely claiming them to be incompatible.

Within a short time, Bediuzzaman's fears about the new regime began to be realized: the first steps were taken towards secularization and reducing the power of Islam within the state, and even its eradication from Turkish life. In early 1925 there was a rebellion in the east in which Bediuzzaman played no part, but as a consequence of which was sent into exile in western Anatolia along with many hundreds of others. Thus unjustly began twenty-five years of exile, imprisonment, and unlawful oppression for Bediuzzaman. He was sent to Barla, a tiny village in the mountains of Isparta Province. However, the attempt to entirely isolate and silence him had the reverse effect, for Bediuzzaman was both prepared and uniquely qualified to face the new challenge: these years saw the writing of the Risale-i Nur, which silently spread and took root, combatting in the most constructive way the attempt to uproot Islam, and the unbelief and materialist philosophy it was hoped to instil in the Muslim people of Turkey.

NURSI’S RISALE-I NUR

The Risale-i Nur collection is a six-thousand-page commentary on the Quran written by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi in accordance with the mentality of the age. Since in our age faith and Islam have been the objects of the attacks launched in the name of so called science and logic, Bediuzaman Said Nursi therefore concentrated in the Risale-i Nur on proving the truths of faith in conformity with modern science through rational proofs and evidence, and by describing the miraculous aspects of the Quran that relate primarily to our century. This collection now has millions of readers both in and outside of Turkey. Thanks to the Risale-i Nur, the Turks managed to maintain their religion despite the most despotic regimes of the past decades. Although its author faced unbearable persecution, imprisonment, and exile, while no effort was spared to put an end to his service to faith, he was able to complete his writings compromising the Risale-i Nur and raise a vast group of believers who courageously opposed the oppression and preserved the dominance of Islam in the country.

Bediuzzaman understood an essential cause of the decline of the Islamic world to be weakening of the very foundations of belief. This weakening, together with the unprecedented attacks on those foundations in the 19th and 20th centuries carried out by materialists, atheists and others in the name of science and progress, led him to realize that the urgent and over-riding need was to strengthen, and even to save, belief. What was needed was to expend all efforts to reconstruct the edifice of Islam from its foundations, belief, and to answer at that level those attacks with a 'manevi jihad' or 'jihad of the of the word.'

Thus, in exile, Bediuzzaman wrote a body of work, the Risale-i Nur that would explain and expound the basic tenets of belief, the truths of the Quran, to modern man. His method was to analyse both belief and unbelief and to demonstrate through clearly reasoned arguments that not only is it possible, by following the method of the Quran, to prove rationally all the truths are the only rational explanation of existence, man and the universe.

Bediuzzaman thus demonstrated in the form of easily understood stories, comparisons, explanations, and reasoned proofs that, rather than the truth of religion being incompatible with the findings of modern science, the materialist interpretation of those findings is irrational and absurd. Indeed, Bediuzzaman proved in the Risale-i Nur that science's breathtaking discoveries of the universe's functioning corroborate and reinforce the truths of religion.

The Holy Quran addresses the intellect as well as man's other inner faculties. It directs man to consider the universe and functioning in order to learn its true nature and purposes as the creation and thus to learn the attributes of its Single Creator and his own duties as a creature. This, then, is the method that Bediuzzaman employed in the Risale-i Nur. He explained the true nature of the universe as signs of its Creator and demonstrated through clear arguments that when it is read as such all the fundamentals of beliefs may be proved rationally.

Man's most fundamental need is the need for religion, the need to recognize and worship Almighty God with all His Most Beautiful Names and attributes, and to obey His laws; those manifests in the universe and those revealed through his prophets. In explaining the message of the Quran, Almighty God's final Revealed Book, brought and perfectly expounded by His final Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), and Islam, the complete and perfected religion for mankind, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi demonstrated in the Risale-i Nur that there is no contradiction or dichotomy between science and religion; rather, true progress and happiness for mankind can, and will, only be achieved in this way, the way of the Quran.

ABOUT IAIS MALAYSIA Based in Kuala Lumpur, the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia (Company No: 819689X) was established in 2008 as a nonprofit independent research institute by the Government of Malaysia. The Institute is dedicated to rigorous pursuit of objective academic research on Islam and contemporary issues of concern to Malaysia, the ummah and Islam’s engagement with other civilisations. The Islamic revivalist discourse of recent decades has often voiced sectarian, local and partisan concerns and has engaged itself in minor issues such as what people eat and wear, is ideology driven, and hardly addresses issues of good governance and economic development. It also pays scant attention to the broader universal teachings of Islam. Islam Hadhari is an attempt to change it. The Founding Chairman and CEO of IAIS Malaysia is world renowned scholar Professor Mohammad Hashim Kamali. IAIS Malaysia’s research seeks to be pragmatic and policy-oriented yet well-grounded in the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, the history of Islam, its civilisation and intellectual culture. The Institute employs resident Research Fellows of recognised standing in their fields of specialisation as well as engages scholars and academics with relevant expertise either as visitors or on a distance consultancy basis. IAIS Malaysia publishes a quarterly international peer-reviewed journal – Islam and Civilisational Renewal (ICR) – as well as books, Monographs and Occasional Paper Series. ICR carries articles, viewpoints, interviews and book reviews that aim to promote advanced research and quality discourse on the perennial principles of civilisational Islam (Islam hadari) and the related issues of tajdid hadari (civilisational renewal) as well as on the contribution of Muslims to knowledge and culture. The Institute advances moderation and social harmony within the multi-religious environment of Malaysia, while promoting constructive engagement with other world civilisations. As a uniquely Malaysian initiative, Islam Hadhari helps equip the Ummah with needed intellectual and cultural resources to negotiate the challenges of globalisation and claims by dominant powers to global pre-eminence. With its refreshing focus on a cluster of primary values, Civilisational Islam works to re-center the Shari’ah-driven legalist discourse of Islamic revivalism over recent decades, upon deeper universal Islamic principles. The civilisational momentum generated by Islam is envisioned in the Qur’anic principle of Human Trusteeship on earth mediating a social order founded on moral virtue, compassion, human dignity and justice. The Qur’an teaches Muslims to respect freedom of conscience and religious pluralism, to promote what is just and prohibit what is reprehensible, and work for realising human welfare. It is emphatic about preserving ties of kinship, honoring one’s neighbors, helping the needy and destitute by means of obligatory taxes and charity, and earning one’s living through lawful work. Furthermore, the Qur’an insists upon the pursuit and mastery of knowledge as pre-requisite for social progress and cultural efflorescence.

For further information, kindly visit www.iais.org.my or Facebook ‘IAIS Malaysia’.