INSTITUTE OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT HELD THE LAST IFTAR OF THE RAMADAN IN THE HISTORICAL BASKETMAKERS’ KIOSK (SEPETÇILER KÖŞKÜ) IN ISTANBUL WITH THE MUSLIM SCHOLARS WHO WERE GUESTS IN OUR COUNTRY.

Institute of Islamic Thought held the last iftar of the Ramadan in the historical Basketmakers’ Kiosk (Sepetçiler Köşkü) in Istanbul with the Muslim scholars who were guests in our country.

Muslim scholars living in our country, especially in Istanbul, alongside with the President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş and many distinguished names from scientific community around the world, attended the iftar as guests of our President of the Institute Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez.

Mr. Mehmet Görmez pointed out that there has been a great migration of knowledge and ideas to Turkey due to the problems experienced in the Muslim world in recent years in his Arabic speech. He stated that especially after the conquest of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Istanbul became the qiblah of scholars for the second time. He mentioned that this migration of knowledge and ideas brought along a great opportunity that could be instrumental in the awakening of the Muslim world, just as it was in the period of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and that could resurrect the ummah with the precepts and principles of Islam. Also, he pointed out that this opportunity encumbered by a great responsibility on us. He stated that, as the Institute of Islamic Thought, the visiting scholars in our country are ready to take responsibility for the contributions they will make to the world of science and ideas of the ummah. In this regard, he affirmed that, as the Institute, they wanted to contribute to the projects to be produced and the efforts to be made.

Subsequently, Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars Dr. Usam al-Bashir made a speech. In his speech, Usam al-Bashir briefly stated that Turkey has a great right over the immigrant scholars residing in Istanbul. He declared that the scholars in question were ready to fulfill their duties towards the Ummah in this country.

Other guest scholars who were invited also stated that they agreed with al-Bashir; they expressed their desire to contribute to Turkey's scientific and intellectual world.

Finally, the President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, mentioned the Presidency's national and international religious services. He expressed the contributions of the Presidency of Religious Affairs to the scientific and intellectual world of the Muslims.

After the iftar and the speeches, the "IDE Guest Scholars Iftar" came to an end.