The Grand Opening marked the beginning of the International Workshop on Science and Religion (IWOSAR) series at University of Darussalam Gontor on September 7, 2023. The Grand Opening of this International Workshop took place from 9 in the morning until 12 noon in the main hall on the fourth floor of UNIDA Gontor.

The event was attended by the President of the University, Prof. Dr. K.H. Amal Fathullah Zarkasyi, the Rector of UNIDA Gontor, Prof. Dr. K.H. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi, the Executive President of IIKV, Said Yuce, and several speakers, including: 1) Prof. Alparslan Acikgenk from Uskudar University, Turkey. 2) Prof. Dr. Necati Aydin from Al Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. 3) Prof. Dr. Adi Setia Mohd Dom from the International Islamic University Malaysia. 4) Turhan Yolcu from the University of Melbourne. 5) Prof. Ahmed Subasi from IIKV, Turkey. Badan Wakaf Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Vice Rector, Deans, some UNIDA Gontor professors, and prominent INSISTS figures also graced the event.

This International Workshop is a collaboration between Darussalam Gontor University and the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture in Turkey, known as İstanbul İlim ve Kültür Vakfı (IIKV) in Turkish. It will run for four days from September 7 to 10, 2023, during the Islamic month of Safar 1445 H. A few months ago, UNIDA Gontor visited IIKV in Turkey and agreed upon various programs, with this international workshop being one of their agreements. IIKV recognized UNIDA Gontor’s strong commitment to the development of science and culture, especially in the concepts and theories advocated by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.

In his opening remarks at this international workshop, Prof. Hamid emphasized the strong ties between UNIDA Gontor and Turkey especially IIKV. In 2013, a UNIDA Gontor lecturer, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sujiat Zubaidi, was a speaker at a seminar in Istanbul. In 2014, UNIDA Gontor sent a delegation to participate in a workshop on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, followed by another delegation in 2015, and many more visits from UNIDA Gontor to Turkey for the purpose of academic development and learning related to Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.

To reinforce his statement, Prof. Hamid mentioned that UNIDA Gontor students have also studied this prominent Turkish figure in their final academic works, including theses, dissertations, and research publications. Prof. Hamid noted that there have been 6 dissertations, 10 theses, 21 international publications, and 5 books discussing Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.

Various important topics are being discussed in this workshop, including sociological and historical perspectives on the contemporary relationship between science and religion in the concept of Harfi and Ismi according to Said Nursi. The workshop aims to explore how to build a healthy discourse between science and religion for the benefit of humanity from the perspectives of Harfi and Ismi, how to foster progressive discourse in each discipline without falling into the dichotomy of science and religion as presented in Said Nursi’s works, and how to develop an integrated approach to knowledge and education based on the Harfi perspective. In addition to these themes, on September 9-10, there will be a 5D Thinking Training event, which is an implementation of the concepts of Ismi and Harfi in classroom learning.

Said Yuce, the Executive President of IIKV, expressed his eagerness to welcome UNIDA Gontor’s delegation in Istanbul for any purpose. He hoped that this relationship would continue to thrive and lead to more seminars, workshops, conferences, and other events for the advancement of knowledge.

During this opening, Prof. Alparslan Acikgenc delivered his keynote speech on the knowledge tradition in Islamic civilization. He emphasized that his speech was just the beginning of the various themes that would be discussed by the presenters.

This international workshop is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of knowledge, particularly in relation to the concepts of science and religion from the perspective of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.

Rep: Ahmad Kali Akbar | Rev: Dr. M. Isom Mudin, M.Ag.