VII. International Mevlana and Friendship Symposium” held at Selcuk University

International Mevlana and Friendship Symposium” was held at Selcuk University by Selcuk University Faculty of Islamic Sciences and Mevlana Research Institute to commemmorate Mevlana's 749th Vuslat Anniversary. In the 2-day symposium, scientists from different universities of Turkey and abroad will make presentations.

The opening speech of the 7th International Mevlana and Friendship Symposium which was held at Selcuk University Faculty of Islamic Sciences Conference Hall was made by SU Mevlana Research Institute Director Prof. Dr. Mithat Eser. Stating that When Konya is mentioned what comes to mind isa Hz. Mevlana, Prof. Dr. Eser said, “When we say Konya at an academic level, Selcuk University comes to mind. We want to highlight the Islamic and Muslim aspects of Mevlana as well as his humanitarian and humanistic aspects. I would like to thank our Rectorate, Metropolitan Municipality, Selçuklu Municipality and Konya Provincial Mufti for their contribution to the organization of the symposium.”

“FRIENDLY, A HUMAN VALUE EXISTING IN EVERY BELIEF AND CULTURE”

Dean of SU Faculty of Islamic Sciences Prof. Dr. Ramazan Altıntaş said, “One of the values ​​we miss most in an age where everything is based on ostentation and self-interest is to be kind and to build sincere friendships among ourselves. Friendship is a human value that exists in every belief and culture. Many thinkers in the history of humanity put forward thoughts on the subject of friendship. One of these thinkers is Hz. Mevlana. A true friend is not a burden to his friends, on the contrary, he shares the burden of his friends and deals with their problems. According to Hz. Mevlana, there are values ​​such as self-sacrifice, brotherhood, loyalty, endurance, donation and forgiveness on the basis of friendship.”

Ercan Uslu, Secretary General of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, said, “We can't get much further by arguing against the Islamophobia that is spreading in the world. Most of the Islamic cities have extinguished their oil lamps. I think that if our Theology Faculties, Mufti, and Directorate of Religious Affairs have much more interest than they have so far, Islam can be explained correctly and in a way that will penetrate people's hearts. In this way, I think a more profound and permanent struggle against Islamophobia can be possible.”

Konya Provincial Mufti Prof. Dr. Ali Öge said, “Our Lord speaks of the need to prioritize goodness in order to eliminate enmities on the basis of friendship. Friendship does not occur when attention is not paid to friendship itself. The area where this attention can best be shown is the area of ​​kindness.”

“WE NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE QUR'AN AND SCIENCE WHILE TRIALING TO UNDERSTAND HZ. MEVLANA'S METHOD OF FRIENDSHIP, "

Selcuk University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Emrullah Eken also said “The theme of Mevlana's 749th Vuslat Anniversary was determined as "friendship". I wish lasting friendships from my Lord both in this world and in the hereafter. Hz. The core, the root which constitute the basis of Mevlana's life and his world of ideas is the Quran and the Sunnahs of our Prophet. This is what Hz. Mevlana expressed himself. Therefore, while trying to understand Hz.Mevlana's ideal of friendship, we must take these into consideration."

"QUR'AN IMPORTS EXTREMELY IMPORTANCE TO FRIENDSHIP"

Istanbul Provincial Mufti Prof. Dr. Safi Arpagus said, “Our great book, the Qur'an, attaches great importance to friendship. Friendship is mentioned in more than 80 places. The coexistence of people who have a unity of belief, religious concern and unity of thought and having the same thought must be the most obvious medium in the formation of the basic surface of friendship. When we look at Pir's life, when we look at the people with whom he was friends in real terms and who contributed to his becoming Hz. Mevlana, we encounter those who have the same heart, who speak the same language, and who have the same understanding. When we look at the people Hz. Mevlana calls friends, we see that he has friendships with people from very different backgrounds and at very different levels.”