Authors : Mohamad Zaidin Mohamad, Fadzli Adam, Rahimah Embong, Bazli Shafie, Mohd Afandi Salleh and Daud Ismail
Abstract: This study attempts to examine the civilizational thoughts of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, a prominent Turkish Muslim scholar who was known for his universal humanitarian ideas in his masterpiece, Rasail al-Nur. This study is qualitative and critically analyze the contents of Nursi’s primary works including his speeches and writings. Civilizational dialogue is a form of interaction among civilizations which is aimed at leading world harmony and stability. Islam provides a firm foundation of unifying the diversitities of humankind. According to Nursi, there are three Islamic principles becomes the ways of unifying humankind which are highlihted in the first phase of this paper. Firstly, mutual recognition(ta`aruf) for integrating human relations based on the concept of global humanity for international affairs. Secondly, mutual understanding (tafahum). Thirdly, living together harmoniously (ta’ayush). Subsequently, the second part of this study identifies three vital strategies which could be used to strengthen those principles. The first is empowering the value of brotherhood through education system. The second is forming the two-way interaction between Islam dan Christianity through dialogues of civilization due to the influence of both religions on world political crisis nowadays. The third is practicing universal ethical principles in interfaith civilizational dialogue. The study gives some implications on the role of education as the most influencial instrument in promoting the values of civilizational dialogue, integrating all contemporary civilizations towards world peace and empowering Islamic civilization to be the best civilization in this world.
Mohamad Zaidin Mohamad, Fadzli Adam, Rahimah Embong, Bazli Shafie, Mohd Afandi Salleh and Daud Ismail, 2016. Strategies for Unifying Humankind Through the Empowerment of Civilizational Dialogue According to Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. The Social Sciences, 11: 5824-5829.