On July 25-26, 2011, a series of collaborative activities was conducted in Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Mindanao, Philippines. The said series of activities was spearheaded by the Risale-i Nur Institute in collaboration with the Department of Extension of MSU-IIT, Association of MSU-IIT Muslim Employees Inc (AMMEI) and MSU-IIT Muslim Students Association (MIMSA). Included in the series were: the “Interfaith Symposium on Fasting as an Act of Worship”; the “Mini-Lecture on the Dos and Don’ts of the Islamic Fasting”; “Book Sale and Exhibits” and the “Interfaith Cafe”.
The interfaith symposium on “Fasting as an Act of Worship” was held in the morning of July 25 at the institute mini theatre. It was meant not only to prepare the Muslim constituents of MSU-IIT for the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan but also to serve as avenue for interfaith dialogue and understanding between Muslims and Christians. Invited to speak about the Christian way of fasting were Father Ilah Agbene of the Catholic Campus Ministry and Bishop Quivido Origines of the Mormon Church in Cagayan de Oro City. To explain the wisdom of Ramadan, Olgay Serbetcioglu of the Risale-i Nur Institute came all the way from Manila to share his learnings on the subject with the Muslim constituents of MSU-IIT.
What followed the interfaith symposium in the afternoon of the same day (July 25) was the “Lecture on the Do’s and Don’ts of the Islamic Fasting”. The topic was especially requested by the young Muslim students of MSU-IIT who were eager to clarify things regarding practices that are clouded with ambiguity as far as local traditions are concerned. Dir. Alongan Abdulrahman Mangorsi of the Department of Extension, who has been very supportive of Risale-i Nur endeavors in MSU-IIT, was there to serve as resource speaker.
On the following day, July 26, the student lounge of the College of Arts and Social Sciences was transformed into a beautiful lounge area where Muslim and Christian students had a fellowship. Bystanders and passersby were invited to relax in the lounge to have a friendly conversation and exchange of ideas about faith and belief. Knowledgeable resource persons like Olgay Serbetcioglu , Abdulhaleem Baña, Remzi Calik, Director Alongan Mangorsi, Hadji Ismail Alango and others were present to answer the curious questions mainly coming from Christian students who showed serious interest about Islam, Muslims and the various issues associated with them. Among others, this activity was aimed at promoting better understanding about Islam and eradicating a lot of myths about this beautiful religion. During the informal sessions in the lounge, students get to freely ask questions while being served with snacks. According to Sittie Pandapatan, a faculty member of the college:
I think this is the first activity of its kind in the history of MSU-IIT. It is a great idea that we have this now where we can freely and informally discuss things which we never discuss normally in campus. This is a unique way of promoting understanding between Muslim and Christians. The relaxing ambience of the lounge is very ideal and conducive for informal and friendly conversations. Thanks for inviting me and my students here!
Along with the above mentioned activities, books from the Risale-i Nur Collection were also displayed for sale and exhibit. According to Ibrahim Abey, who took care of the book display and sale, the number of volumes sold during the two-day exhibit was great; and the buyers were not only Muslims but included Christians as well. This goes to show that perhaps our activities have caught the attention of the non-Muslims and that they have probably become interested or curious now.
May the Risale-i Nur spread Islam’s light in this part of the Philippines!
Juvanni Yahya A. Caballero / RNIP – Iligan Institute of Technology
The sooner I heard about you I developed this extremely passionate love for you; when I saw your photo with your uncle, I found myself captivated by it. The photo might have been taken some nine decades ago in a modern studio of your time, when digital technology was not even invented. But your turban, your bulbous cheek, the elegant cloak you were in with the dagger attached to your waist………. above all, your face!! It’s shiny as some olive oil was applied, it’s so innocent, your eyes too show your innocence….. You stature also caught my attention. I felt as if you were still standing alive out there, but when I turned over the page I was disappointed. When the photographic machine caught your figure, you were smiling, right? Oh Lord! Your smile too has its own exceptional beauty!! What was in your mind at that time? Who asked you to appear for a pose with your beloved uncle? Have you ever thought that there will be a tool called the internet in the future time and your photo will be circulated among millions of people? Have you ever thought that it will be printed in some sacred Islamic literatures, which millions of others still continue to read?
I love you, not because you are Abdur Rahman, nor that you looked pretty elegant in the picture, but I love you for several other sacrosanct reasons.
When your beloved uncle, Imam Bediuzzaman Said Nursi rose against a powerful anti-Islamic tyrant force, in defence of faith, you joined him as a helper, as some of the disciples of Jesus (Peace be upon him); you were around him when he waged his ideological Jihad; you took some prudent steps to write down the scholarly articles of your beloved uncle; How foresighted you might have been at that time, in your young age, to write a biography of your beloved uncle?
When I read through the history lines and found you had departed to the Mercy of your Creator at the tender age of 27, I could not control my emotions; of course, we do not have control over the time of our death, but my heart pained hearing your death. I feel you are my younger brother, because you died at the age of 27 which is lower than my present age. If you were still alive you would be in the age of my grandpa!!!
Do you know what happened to your uncle afterwards?
Do you know how did he describe your loss? What a painful loss it was for him? It had a great effect on his entire life. I too pained reading his description of you in the following words of him:
….one time I was being held in the district of Barla in the province of Isparta in a distressing captivity under the name of exile, in a truly wretched state of suffering both illness and old age, and absence from home, and in a village along and with no one………… the All-wise Quran…. was a means of consolation for me. With it a tried to forget my pitiful, grievous and sad state. I was able to forget my native land, my friends and relations, but alas, there was one person that I could not forget, and that was Abdurrahman, who was both my nephew and my spiritual son, and most self-sacrificing student, and my bravest friend. He had parted me six or seven years previously…… Then out of the blue someone gave me a letter. I opened it, and saw that it was from Abdur Rahman, written in a way showing his true self….It made me weep, and it still makes me weep. ……..he also wanted to help me with his capable pen in spreading the mysteries of the Qur’an, my true duty in this world. He even wrote in his letter: ‘send me twenty or thirty treatises and I will write twenty or thirty copies of each and get others to write them…(Lem’alar, 232-5)
But Abdur Rahman! Do you know that your uncle was prevented from attending your funeral?! How pitiful an experience it was?
Abdur Rahman! life was not easy for your uncle, because he chose a path not full of roses and wool, but full of thorns and sharp spikes. Your uncle emerged as a great Mujaddid (Redeemer) and a heroic defender of faith at a time when Islam faced one of its greatest challenges in history since the time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Risale Nur had shattered all the schemes of the enemies of Allah. Your uncle was tormented, exiled, humiliated, threatened, intimidated and left to suffer all sorts of unbearable pains; equally he was offered all kinds of perks, worldly comforts, earth and sky, and positions.
All in return for a simple request, that he abandons his mission!!! He was asked by the anti-Islamic schemers to leave them peacefully, so they can keep propagating their evil ideas and keep misguiding people….
Oh God! The earth would have quaked; the army of Satan would have erupted into rapture, had your uncle abandoned his mission!!
Indeed your loss was unbearable for him, but his pain did not stop at that. He faced worse situations…… however he continued in his mission fearlessly, until his last breath left his body.
Allah almighty protected His Deen (Religion) through the selfless and sincere struggle of your uncle, Imam Bediuzzaman.
The seedling, Risale Nur, that you helped and watered to grow has now become a grand tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and whose branches reach the sky………..No Satan can approach it now…
Abdurrahman, I begged my respected friends to show me any traces of you other than the photo I mentioned earlier; I asked them to show me your graveyard, so I can visit and say Salam to you!
I pray Allah almighty that he gives me an opportunity to meet you in the Hereafter, a world no doubt can be cast on its existence.
CONVEYING THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM TO THE TOURISTS IN TURKEY IN THE LIGHT OF RISALE NUR
Mohammed Asim Alavi
1. Introduction to Da’wah
Islam is the religion of Fitra (Nature). Every human on this earth is born with the inherent nature of Islam in the depth of his spirit. It’s his upbringing and the environment that make him whatever way he chooses in his future life. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in an authentic Hadeeth, :every child is born in a state of nature and it is his parents who make him a Christian, Jew or a Magian (Bukhari).
When man forgets God out of heedless negligence, He, the Most Merciful, sends Prophets to remind man of his responsibilities and purpose of his life on earth. Mankind witnessed a chain of Prophets that Allah had sent and this chain came to an end with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Following his demise, this responsibility squarely fell on the shoulders of succeeding generations of Muslims.
The task of inviting people to Islam or Da’wa is the collective responsibility of the Muslim Ummah, of each of its members, through whatever possible ways. The Qur’an describes this collective responsibility as follows:
………And from among you there must be a party who invite people to all that is good and enjoin the doing of all that is right and forbid the doing of all that is wrong. It is they who will attain true success….(Al Imran: 104).
The concept of ‘Enjoining Good’ in itself is very comprehensive and covers all aspects of life. By enjoining good man can be transformed into a dignified human being. The second stage of this Da’wah is forbidding evil from the society. By promoting good evils can be eradicated. Promoting good and forbidding evil come through wisdom and beautiful preaching; by explaining the underlying virtues of good and the adverse consequences of evil.
It’s a definite Islamic rule that, ‘There is no compulsion in religion...’ (Al Baqarah:256). Therefore the methods of Islamic Da’wah are one of persuasion and positive action, not one of force and violence.
2. The Importance of Risale Nur message in this age
Man is created with an inquisitive nature. This has been the driving force behind all human discoveries throughout history. The modern man, more than at any time, achieved marvellous goals in terms of science and technology. Great material progresses have been made to make life easy. Tools and machines have been invented so that days and nights can be spent pleasurably and with a sense of profound warmth. However, these great leaps have failed to give the much needed mental satisfaction. Every invention and machine, instead of contentment, has increased craving for the enjoyment of transient materials. Instead of solving problems it has aggravated them to horrible proportions. The modern man has lost the perception of the purpose of his life on earth.
Risale-i Nur as a thematic Tafseer of the Qur’an possesses the ability to present an unambiguous interpretation of the purpose of man’s life. Further, its methodology and approach which blends spiritual and rational features together can give answers to all the questions arising in the modern man’s mind.
Furthermore, at a time when Islam is painted with extremism and barbarism, spreading the message of peace and love has become fundamentally essential. The westernized materialist man needs this message urgently. Imam Bediuzzaman predicted decades ago a time when the West will commence its search for truth:
‘…..the broad masses and the great states in the world will search out the Qur’an of Miraculous Expositions, and having grasped its truths, will embrace it with all their lives and spirits, just as there are now famous preachers in Sweden, Norway, Finland and England working to have the Qur’an accepted and the important community of America is searching for the true religion.….’ (Islam-Isevi Ittifaki)
3. Turkish Tourism Industry and Risale Nur
Turkey stands as a strategically important place to spread the message of the Qur’an. The millions of tourists visiting Turkey every year is a best asset for this mission. According to Turkey Tourism Forecast 2012, published by RNCOS, a research agency, in the year 2008 twenty six million tourists have arrived and in the year 2012 it’s expected to reach 33 million. Most of the tourists came from Germany, England and Russia among others. The segments include health tourism, cultural tourism, leisure tourism etc., As a matter of fact Istanbul remains a favourite location for cultural tourists. It is the cultural tourists who generally possess an enquiring mind. Hence the project can take off in Istanbul.
The objective of this mission is not an attempt to convert people to Islam, as it is against the basic principles of Islam. Guiding people is the sole responsibility of Allah. Rather, its objective is to convey the message and address the human Fitra. The content of the message should possess the power to pierce through human mind and shake his conscience; it should blast open the chest where his Fitra is preserved, so that will drive it to search for the true purpose of man’s life. The tourists who visit Turkey with heaps of distorted information about Islam should return home with positive and polished perceptions about its beauties. Equally they should be able to distinguish between true Islam and unhealthy practises of some Muslims. Besides, they should also return with a renewed perception of the New Turkey not only as a leisure making destination but a centre of culture and true civilization, connecting with Turkey’s glorious past.
4. Methods of delivery
Adopting proper methods for delivering the message of Islam is very important. Our beloved Prophet mentioned in a Hadeeth, ‘Address people according to the levels of their understanding’ and indeed he practiced it to the full meaning. The addressee (Muhatap) should not feel bored or irritated. Also, direct approach should be avoided as far as possible as some people feel allergic to the word, ‘Islam’ at the outset. People come from diverse cultural, religious and ideological backgrounds. Prescribing the same pill for everyone will not certainly work. For an instance, a Christian or Jew (Ehlul Kitap) should be addressed differently from a Buddhist. For the former, sanctification of Israelite Prophet Musa and Prophet Isa and his mother Virgin Mary (May Peace be all of them) in the Qur’an can be a good starter to gain his attention for a conversation. Whereas for a Buddhist or Hindu, who do not believe in revealed religion and life after death, the methods should be completely different. His analytical mind should be kindled to look into the fallacies of human philosophies and necessary existence of a Supreme God.
As Imam Bediuzzaman had pointed out, Europe is no more Christian, it’s secular. He said: …I am rather addressing the second Europe which, through the darkness of the philosophy of Naturalism, supposing the evils of civilization to be its virtues, has driven mankind to vice and misguidance’ (Lem’alar 115/The Flashes Collections) Hence, a secular and irreligious man should be addressed according to his understanding of human life and the world.
We should shy away from pre-cordial perceptions about people. Not every non Muslim is a Kafir(Infidel) but they are ordinary human being like any others. People are good generally until they become manifest deniers of Allah, their creator.
In deed it’s a daunting task to distinguish who is who when meeting people in our mission. It all depends on the ability of the volunteer involved. He should be properly trained in the mission. However, generally non-Muslims have around 25 questions about Islam, such as terrorism, polygamy etc., The volunteer should be trained to answer them in the correct way.
By the grace of Allah, Risale Nur possess answers to all questions of a modern man, be he a Christian, Muslim, atheist, secularist, traditionalist or any other.
5. Proposed activities
Conveying the message of Islam is not a formal profession, rather its part of routine life of a person who responded to the call of Allah. It’s less formal and more informal. Therefore the volunteer who commits himself to this meritorious mission is expected to commit fully. He should be in readiness to respond to all situations. He should always carry his ‘tool kit’ of Islamic brochures and other materials. He should resemble ‘a walking database of Islam’. Nevertheless the following activities can be proposed in the initial stages:
a. Training of volunteers: This training should include broad areas, primarily, Risale Nur English, communication and inter-personal skills, among other aspects of their mission. (The objective of Risale Nur English is to train volunteers to communicate Risale Nur in English language). Apart from possessing the skills to explain Islam the volunteer should hold sufficient information to answer the general questions of a tourist.
b. Stationing volunteers in tourists spots: Information booths should be established in tourist spots wherever possible. The purpose of this is not to load the visitors with Islam but to provide information on it, Turkish tourist information and other necessary guidance.
c. Mosque and Cultural tours: The purpose of mosque tours is to provide a glimpse of what Muslims do inside a mosque. It should also include explanation of the greater role mosques use to play in the life of Islamic world.
d. Islamic homestays: Homestay is a popular tourism all over the world. People travel for educational and exploration purposes and stay with families. Their purpose is to study and experience different cultures and customs of people in faraway places. This is a good opportunity to show them Islam in practice and engage in Risale Nur studies.
6. Preparing the tool kit:
The tool kit should consist of
Brochures : Risale Nur brochures should be prepared on various subjects, including ;
1) Introduction to Qur’an, 2) Prophethood, 3) Introduction to Islam, 4) Life after death, 5) Muslim and Ottoman history, 6) Turkish tourist information highlighting Turkish culture and traditional life styles, 7) Other relevant subjects.
Flash cards: These are pocket size cards consisting of brief information on life, death etc., They can be in English, French, German and Japanese initially.
The gift pack: every tourist who visits the booth should go with a pack consisting of Islamic brochures, important tourist information and a souvenir.
Some of the tourist destinations can be linked to the brochures, for an instance, the handwritten Qur’an of Caliph Usman (May Allah be pleased with him)placed at Topkapi palace can be linked to the brochure on Qur’an. It’s a great sign of the authenticity of the Qur’an. Not a single letter has been changed ever since, it’s the first ever written Qur’an and today’s printed Qur’an remains exactly the same.
When my colleague asked me to join the Risale-i Nur Institute Philippines’ 12th Young Women Making A Difference Summer Camp, I refused though indirectly. Except for her, I didnt know any of the participants and I have had unpleasant experiences with “Muslims” in the past. On second thought, I decided to give it a chance- and I am grateful I did.
On the orientation night, to introduce ourselves, we were asked “If you had only one month to live and only 5 things to do, what would those be?” Immediately, I felt the certainty of hell and paradise. Though I have reverted to Islam a few years back, my faith had gone really low to the point of doubting the existence of paradise and hell, but that question exactly jolted me back to the reality of death and the hereafter, that I felt fear of hell enter my heart and helped me prioritize my life.
Through the first lecture and sharing session, the visit to the orphanage and on the way to the Al-baraqah Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, I stayed aloof from the processes, but I could see how the other sisters who were strangers to me just a day before were very easy to be with and that they cared for all of us. Suddenly I wanted to be one of them, never to separate from them, they who are nearer to Allah (SWT) and definitely better than me.
The lectures and workshops and discussions about the names of Allah and the proofs of His unity, brought me to a deep state of reflection such that on the nature trek on the 6th day, all I see with every leaf, tree is how great Allah is! How all His creations are perfect, how All-Powerful He is to administer all of the universe, how each tiny and great thing is under His Dominion! It was fun trying to read the names of Allah in the tall trees and high falls. We understand that they are worshipping Allah by submitting to His will and by being mirrors to His Names.
In our visit to the Mormon Church and the Transfiguration Monastery, I didnt feel any animosity from them. There are so many common things between our beliefs, and even in some aspects like cleanliness and industry they practice these values better than we do. We enjoyed the sisterhood of the only Catholic participant even though she was able to join us only ın the last 3 days; and she too was amazed by how Muslims praise God, she even wore the veil during camp; and I saw the happiness in her eyes as she shared stories and kitchen duties with us. If only those of different religions work together, we will achieve paramount success in proving the existence of God, and in applying our common belief that all humans are created to serve and worship God.
Throughout the activities and interaction in the camp, I was able to reflect on my every action and my character. I learned to control my emotions, for I am impatient, I want everything to happen in the snap of a finger. Also, I got to admit that the only one to be blamed for my lack of faith was nobody but me. I used to blame Allah for my own failures and weaknesses, may He forgive me!
My family usually tells me I am good for nothing, but through the the Purpose of Life Workshop, I learned that every creation of Allah has a purpose, even the things that annoy me, like the fly and the cockroach, are actually microbe absorbers. And me? My purpose is to know and serve my Creator. Even if no one finds me important in this world, I now know that the King of the Universe put the value of the universe in me. He has endowed me with special abilities and emotions that I can utilize to serve Him. I cannot and I do not have to please everyone, I just have to please God. And I am happy that I found the group that made a difference in my life and will help me make a difference in others’ lives.
In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
In 2007, The Most Merciful blessed me with dear brothers from the blessed community of the Risale-i Nur who gave me an opportunity to memorize and study the Qur’an in Turkey. After I graduated high school, I was understandably apprehensive as to what the coming years in Turkey would bring. With only my firm intention to study Qur’an and its undoubtedly great interpretation in this century, THE RISALE-I NUR, I put my trust in Allah, and, supported by the Nur community in the Philippines, I took the first step of the journey leading me far from my own home, city, region, and country.
My first summer abroad was in the company of some elder brothers (may Allah bless them ) in dersane in Istanbul. I was totally enchanted by their hospitality, affection, and care –which was beyond my imagination- and whole-heartedly surrendered and finally convinced myself that, “if these people alone live on earth, Allah will turn it into paradise in an instant”.
The blessed month of Ramadan saw me leaving Istanbul and transferring to the admirable city of Akhisar where I started my dersane life and enrolled in HILALIYE EGITIM VAKFI ( its course consists of both QUR’AN memorization and Risale-i Nur studies). I was again impressed by the same love and care, and that impression and affection I have of my sincere brothers in dersane lasts to this very day even though I am several thousand miles away from them. May Allah protect us all and our families!
Dersane is to me a home of learning (madrasa). Learning because my personality and character improved through practical proper living manners and ethics such as proper communication, relationship with brothers, cleaning, improving one’s practical skills, and living for the sake of Allah. Home because of the brotherly care and fatherly affection for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) that fills the dersane.
In this light-filled home, I realised and discovered the importance of a believer gaining happiness in this life and hereafter not just for himself but for the others as well, just as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reminds us, “The best of you is he who is beneficial to others”. In here I witnessed the importance of the messenger (PBUH), his teachings, and his practice and I hope my brothers are among those the Prophet (PBUH) refers to when he said that, “Whoever adheres to my practices when my community is corrupted shall receive the reward of a hundred martyrs”
Alhamdulillah, after several headaches and sleepless nights trying to put the Qur’an in memory, we were so blessed to have finished the course in 2009 within three years.
I am indebted to my teachers, advisers, agabeys (elder brothers), family and friends for being my hands and the feet that propelled me to succeed in this challenge. May Allah, the Most Merciful fill their hearts with light, guide all of us to the straight path and let us meet in the day of resurrection with our beloved prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Amin.
