At that time, an attempt was made to establish a great Islamic university in Kosovo. There, both the Unionists and Sultan Reşad were told: "The East is in greater need of such a university and it would serve as the center of the Islamic world."
As a result, they promised to open a university in the East. However, with the outbreak of the Balkan War, the location of that madrasa, that is, Kosovo, was occupied. Consequently, an appeal was made to transfer the nineteen thousand gold liras allocated for the Kosovo university to the Eastern university instead, and this request was accepted.
Bediüzzaman then set out once again for Van. The foundation of that university was laid in Artemit (Edremit) on the shores of Lake Van. But alas, with the outbreak of World War, the effort was left incomplete. Indeed, that winter, Molla Said had already warned his students, saying, "Be prepared, a great calamity and disaster is approaching us."
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Tarihçe-i Hayat
·Ilk Hayati
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Since we have resolved to be patient and tolerant against every calamity and betrayal, we remained silent and entrusted the matter to Allah, saying, "Perhaps there is some good in this as well." However, due to suspicions and the journals of agitators, I feared that such treatment of these poor innocent people would serve as a cause for further misfortunes, and thus I was compelled to write this. If there is any fault in this matter, it is mine. These poor people have helped me in the circle of divine pleasure solely because of their faith and the hereafter. They are deserving of much respect, yet such treatment even brought anger to the winter.
It is indeed surprising that they are again raising the suspicion of a society this time. However, although three courts have investigated this aspect and cleared us, there is no society, no evidence, no court records, and no witnesses of any kind that could be considered as grounds for such accusations among us. There is only a spiritual brotherhood among the students of a teacher, the students of the Darülfünun (University), and those learning from the Quran teacher, similar to the students of the Risale-i Nur. Those who give the name of a society to these people and accuse them should look at all the tradesmen, school students, and preachers from the perspective of political societies. Therefore, I do not see any need to defend those who came here to prison with such baseless and meaningless accusations.
Only, since the Risale-i Nur is of great concern to this country and the Islamic world, and has brought many material and spiritual blessings and benefits to this nation and this country, just as we have defended it three times, there is no reason to prevent its defense again with the same truth, and no law, no politics can or will forbid it.
Şualar
·On Dorduncu Sua
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This is a response to a biased newspaper regarding Eastern University.
We state the truth about that university in response to the article written about Atatürk University in the issue of Ulus dated April 1, 1954, by a member of an opposing party who is strongly critical. Here is the truth:
For more than fifty years, our master Said Nursi has worked with great effort for the foundation of this university, now called Atatürk University. Although our master was opposed to the Unionists, they and Sultan Mehmed Reşad had allocated nineteen thousand gold coins for the construction of this university, and our master had laid its foundations in Van. However, the outbreak of World War I caused the project to be delayed. Then, at the beginning of the Republic era, when our master Said Nursi was requested to attend the Grand National Assembly in Ankara, he once again made efforts. At that time, our master was completely opposed to the ruling administration and had completely abandoned politics, even declaring, "I will not get involved in your world." In fact, he even called Mustafa Kemal a "treacherous sinner who does not pray" and refused major offers from him, such as great wealth, a salary, and the position of chief preacher. Despite this, it was decided that 150,000 banknotes would be allocated for the establishment of the Eastern University, with the signatures of 163 out of 200 deputies and Mustafa Kemal's approval. Thus, it is clear that at that time, the establishment of this university was the most important issue in the East. Now, there is an even greater need for it. Finally, it was decided during the Islamic government era to proceed with its construction as a result of our master's material and spiritual efforts and encouragement.
We present the great value and importance of this Eastern University in a few points, like offering a single drop from a vast ocean:
First: This university is the central heart of Iran, Arabia, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkistan, and Anatolia. It is both a House of Knowledge (Camiü'l-Ezher) and a House of Wisdom (Medresetü'z-Zehra).
Second: Today, efforts are being made and pacts are being formed around the world to achieve general peace and prevent the corruption of humanity. And since this Islamic government...
Emirdağ Lâhikası - II
·Mektup 110
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