An international symposium in Istanbul has called for a global order founded on justice rather than power, and urged an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza while proposing faith-informed responses to economic, environmental, social and technological crises.

The calls were given at the concluding session of the 13th International Bediuzzaman Symposium, held on October 4–6 under the theme “Qur’anic Solutions to Global Crises.”

More than 330 scholars and leaders representing 60 countries and 448 institutions across the world took part in the global event, which was organized by the Istanbul Science and Culture Foundation. In all, 668 paper proposals were submitted, out of which 262 papers were selected for presentation in Turkish, Arabic, English, and Russian. The symposium series has been held since 1991.

The gathering examined contemporary challenges through the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the teachings of Muslim scholar Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, particularly his Risale-i Nur collection.

Some of the most well-known personalities who attended the event included Cevdet Yılmaz, the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye; Dr. Muhammed Ebulhayr Şükrü, the Syrian Minister of Awqaf; Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, the President of Religious Affairs, Türkiye; Said Yüce, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture (İİKV); and Lauren Booth, the British Broadcaster and Journalist.

Saudi scholar Prof. Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Al-Muslih, Syrian Mufti Dr. Usame er-Rifâî, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Leader Mavlana Fazlurrahman from Pakistan, and Al-Ummah Foundation Chairman Mohammad Zakir Hossain were other luminaries who participated in the event.

Speaking about his experience of the event, Al-Ummah Foundation Chairman Mohammad Zakir Hossain said: “The symposium’s distinctive contribution lies in drawing on the Qur’an to explore solutions to pressing global challenges. It offers a constructive, forward-looking understanding of Islam and its relevance to the problems facing humanity.”

The symposium discussed a range of subjects facing humanity in light of the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Topics of some of the presentations included “Quranic Solutions to Global Crises,” “The Conception of Civilization in the New World Order,” “Society and Family,” “The Vision of Civilization in the New World Order,” “From Crisis to Responsibility: Qur’an-Based Moral Revival and the Building of Civilisation in the Thought of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi,” “Solutions to Modern Social Issues Based on the Quran and Sunnah,” “Beyond the Political: The Primacy of Spiritual Succession to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ,” and “The Transformative Impact of Faith on Society, Based on the Quran and Sunnah.”

Global issues

The symposium addressed wars, displacement, injustice, ecological destruction, weakening family structures, young people’s search for meaning, and challenges to faith and morality arising from the digital age.

Its concluding statement argued that political, economic and environmental crises have an underlying spiritual dimension: humanity’s disconnection from the purpose and meaning of existence. Without moral direction, it said, advances in knowledge, technology and power risk expanding the capacity for destruction.

Drawing on Nursi’s understanding of creation as pointing beyond itself to its Creator, participants advocated a civilization grounded in belief in the oneness of God, justice, compassion, responsibility and human dignity.

Gaza and global justice

The statement strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools and places of worship in Gaza, together with restrictions on humanitarian assistance, describing these actions as genocide.

It urged Muslims to speak more firmly against the suffering of Palestinians and called for an immediate end to the attacks, a permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access and accountability under international law. It also demanded protection of the Palestinian people’s right to live freely and independently on their own land.

More broadly, the symposium criticized a global system in which power overrides rights, double standards prevail and international law fails to restrain powerful actors.

States and international organizations, it said, should protect every person’s life, intellect, family lineage, property and faith, regardless of race, religion or language. Participants advocated virtue over self-interest, mutual assistance over conflict, and brotherhood over racial or ethnic superiority.

The statement identified consultation, freedom, the rule of law, and equality before the law as essential foundations of sound governance. It also endorsed Nursi’s principle of “positive action,” emphasizing cooperation, persuasion and service as means of resolving conflicts and building peace.

Participants called for greater Muslim unity and an approach to disagreement that prevents differences from becoming hostility. They also supported cooperation with the People of the Book and other faith communities around shared human values.

Moral crisis

The symposium described ecological destruction as a moral crisis rooted in treating nature as an unlimited resource for consumption. It urged greater public awareness of responsibilities to reduce consumption, eliminate waste, and prevent food loss. Nursi’s portrayal of the universe as a book to be read, the statement suggested, encourages respect for creation and responsible stewardship.

On economic issues, participants identified greed and excessive accumulation as drivers of instability. They recommended frugality, contentment, gratitude and lawful earnings as principles for tackling poverty, hoarding and corruption, while supporting halal finance and sustainable consumption.

Saving the family institution

Strengthening the family was another major recommendation. The statement called for protective legislation, educational programs and counseling services, alongside moral and spiritual development and greater respect and care for older people.

Education, it argued, should develop both intellectual understanding and moral character. Drawing on Nursi’s Madrasa al-Zahra project, participants proposed integrating natural and religious sciences through values-based learning from preschool to higher education.

The symposium also emphasized helping young people navigate questions of identity, meaning and belonging, drawing on the principles of faith, integrity and moral restraint outlined in Nursi’s A Guide for Youth.

On migration, it called for humane responses to people displaced by war and other crises. It invoked the Qur’anic principle of the sanctity of human life and the Prophet’s model of solidarity between the Ansar and Muhajirun—the host and migrant communities.

AI and digital life

Addressing artificial intelligence and digital life, participants said technology should serve human well-being and remain guided by moral values.

They warned about digital addiction, the attention economy and the effects of social media on psychological health and moral development, recommending reflection and moderation as safeguards for families and young people.

The statement also proposed holistic approaches to anxiety, depression and trauma that integrate modern psychotherapy with spiritual values, including faith, patience, gratitude and trust in God.

Participants maintained that science and faith can be harmonious, interpreting the natural world as revealing divine order and artistry. They also highlighted reasoned inquiry, evidence, literary expression and art as ways to strengthen understanding and communicate faith in an age of uncertainty about truth.

The organizing committee thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, supporting ministries, TİKA, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, partner universities and other contributors. Turkish Airlines supported transportation, while TRT and Anadolu Agency served as communication sponsors.

The committee expressed hope that the symposium’s conclusions would contribute to peace, intellectual renewal in the Islamic world and the transmission of the Risale-i Nur’s message to future generations.