Weekly Sermons

<p>Many assume that modernization and globalization will lead to the disappearance of local cultures. However, this is nothing more than a misconception. National sentiments, local cultures, and religious beliefs take deep root in people’s inner worlds and become so integrated into their identities that, even when temporarily suppressed, they reemerge the moment people feel threatened and begin to mobilize them. The instinct for self-preservation that exists in individuals also manifests itself at the societal level. Forms of belonging and identity that have become part of a community do not easily vanish. Although they may weaken at times, they regain strength whenever a sense of threat arises.</p><p>In today’s world, globalization—when perceived as a threat to national sentiments and religious beliefs—inevitably leads to the resurgence of these very sentiments. Contrary to what is often assumed, rather than pushing local cultures into the background, it brings them to the forefront and can even fuel dangerous tendencies such as racism. In such an environment, strong reactions toward the “other” emerge, plans may emerge to suppress or eliminate those perceived as enemies, and large-scale mobilizations take place. This makes struggle and conflict between different races and cultures unavoidable. Therefore, globalization must be considered not only in terms of the opportunities and benefits it promises but also in terms of the risks and dangers it brings.</p><h2>Respect for Human Beings</h2><p>The wisest precaution against all these potential dangers is to establish a culture of tolerance in the world, to make respect for human beings a foundational value, to gather around universal human values, and to accelerate dialogue among people of different cultures and religions. The most important step in this regard is to seek ways to bring people together around common ground. At times, this common ground may be adherence to revealed scriptures; at other times, it may take the form of a shared unity of feeling, thought, and purpose grounded in universal values. Where these are absent, one can turn to the shared ground of humanity itself. Those who value living according to common goals must first establish unity and solidarity among themselves. As indicated by Bediuzzaman in ‘the Treatise on Brotherhood’, we should evaluate shared values ranging from the greatest to the smallest, and then strive to spread this understanding across the world.[1]</p><p>We respect everyone simply because they are human, and we open our hearts to all. For the Almighty has created the human being as a noble, honored, and dignified creature, and has granted them the highest form. For this reason, we view human beings as the most honored of creation &nbsp;and regard them as a precious work of Divine artistry. [2-3] We believe that every person has the potential to attain human perfection, and we consider it a duty to prepare the conditions and opportunities for the beauty inherent in human nature to emerge.</p><h2>Humanity’s Only Way Out</h2><p>We see the cultivation of values such as love, respect, peace, and tolerance as essential for the future of humanity. In a world where weapons of immense destructive power are produced and countries are rapidly entering arms races, this is humanity’s only way out. If one day people turn against each other and these weapons are used, no one can predict the scale of the disaster that would follow. Therefore, if humanity is to avoid great calamities and devastating tragedies, it is necessary first to create platforms for reconciliation through various means, to prioritize projects that promote human well-being, and to place greater importance on tolerance and dialogue while expanding such efforts.</p><p>Unfortunately, those who fail to grasp the importance of dialogue seem to have forgotten what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as how many millions of people perished in the First and Second World Wars. Moreover, the destructive power of today’s nuclear weapons is far greater. We do not even fully know what kinds of weapons each country possesses. A nuclear war between just two countries could cause permanent damage and massive destruction worldwide. Bertrand Russell’s observation that there would be no winners in a nuclear war is entirely accurate. In such a war, one side would be buried, while the other would be left in critical condition.[4]</p><h2>Struggling Against Prejudice</h2><p>Human beings may become hostile toward what they do not know. A major cause of the hatred and resentment that different societies and cultures harbor toward one another, as well as the conflicts that arise, is prejudice against those perceived as the “other.” The way to overcome these prejudices lies in mutual understanding, respect, and sincere dialogue. One of the greatest problems faced by Muslims today is the widespread phenomenon of Islamophobia. However, those who have the opportunity to interact with Muslims and come to know them more closely often reconsider their previous assumptions and admit that they were mistaken. When unjust attacks are directed at Muslims, they defend them; and even if they cannot, they refrain from supporting the attackers and at least choose silence. When individuals attempt to defend themselves, they often face resistance, but when others defend them, it is perceived as more objective and is far more effective.</p><p>Unfortunately, like all humanity, we also carry inherited resentments and hostilities toward those who are different from us. There have long been mutual animosities between different religions and cultures. For instance, negative labels have been used for Westerners, and in turn, they have approached Muslims with distance and prejudice. Those who feed on hatred and violence have used every incident to deepen these grudges. At this point, it is necessary to soften this increasingly harsh atmosphere, to break rigid attitudes, to think more broadly and inclusively, and to approach everyone with a depth of conscience. Even if some deepen the divisions, those who care about establishing global peace carry a serious responsibility to seek ways to bridge these gaps.</p><h2>Mutual Enrichment</h2><p>In addition to overcoming hatred, resentment, and prejudice, the way to share the positive values we possess with others is to remain close to them and to engage in dialogue. For example, if you, as a Muslim, represent your faith in a beautiful manner and reflect its values in your behavior, those you engage with will inevitably recognize and appreciate this. Likewise, you will recognize the goodness in them and benefit from it. For God has created human beings with an innate nobility. Therefore, people cannot remain indifferent to goodness or permanently close their eyes to beauty. Even if they resist for a time, they eventually abandon their stubbornness. For this reason, we should not be afraid or intimidated by anyone; rather, we should keep our hearts open to all, embrace everyone, and display a broad and inclusive human attitude toward others.</p><p>Emotions are reciprocal. Just as hatred produces more hatred, love also generates love. If you show respect, appreciation, and kindness to others, it is expected that they will respond in kind. When you open your heart to others, you create the possibility for their hearts to open to you. Harshness and severity drive people away, while compassion and gentleness draw them closer. For God has created human beings with a generous and noble nature. If we can properly cultivate this aspect of humanity, we can nurture tolerance, love, and affection throughout the world. No one loses from this; on the contrary, everyone benefits.</p><p>Those who think that the world’s problems can be solved solely through politics, the efforts of state leaders, or international agreements are mistaken. While these certainly have their place and importance, what truly matters is that people connect with one another—that individuals from different races, religions, and cultures engage with each other. As consistently emphasized, the real solution lies within the human being and in raising generations capable of embracing the future. We need to spread love for humanity, a spirit of tolerance, and respect for others throughout society and initiate a grassroots movement in this direction. If this is achieved, dialogue, cooperation, and mutual exchange will continue even as eras change and systems evolve. Otherwise, initiatives that arise like waves may just as easily collapse with another wave.</p><h2>The Source of Dialogue</h2><p>Some Muslims have spoken inappropriately about dialogue and opposed such efforts. However, there is nothing in dialogue that contradicts religion. Both the Qur’an and the authentic teachings of the Prophet encourage us to establish positive relations with others. For this reason, the primary motivation behind our dialogue efforts has been our faith. We have consistently sought to ground our initiatives in the foundational sources of our religion and to act in reference to them. We have tried to avoid any attitude or behavior that contradicts our faith and have sought refuge in God from making mistakes in this regard. At every opportunity, we have striven to demonstrate that Islam stands for peace and rejects violence and terror. Therefore, the idea of dialogue cannot be attributed merely to humanistic tendencies or personal interpretations; rather, it is firmly rooted in the fundamental sources of our faith.</p><p>Such an important matter as dialogue should not be left to the emotions, initiative, or personal preferences of certain individuals, nor should it be seen as merely a temporary or situational issue. Otherwise, it may not endure. If people who are open to dialogue are replaced by those who favor anger and violence, dialogue efforts will come to an end. However, if it is clearly established that dialogue originates from binding religious sources, is grounded in divine commandments, and is based on the practices of the Prophet, then its continuity will be secured. No one will have the power to change such an understanding of dialogue, and there will be no reason for concern. For a believer who truly understands their faith cannot oppose it.</p><p>At the same time, the sustainability of this matter also depends on the conduct of those engaged in dialogue. Activities carried out in the name of dialogue must be in harmony with the spirit of religion, and even its finer principles should not be compromised. Otherwise, credibility will be damaged and trust will be lost. We must consider not only the present but also the future in every step we take. Even as we engage with people of different religions and cultures, everyone should remain authentic and true to their own beliefs and cultural identity. Just as we respect the position of others, we must also respect our own position. In doing so, we avoid alienating those who share our beliefs while building new bridges with others, ensuring that we do not destroy existing ones.</p><h2>Reasonable and Strategic Steps</h2><p>Although we consider dialogue essential for bringing peace and harmony to the world, we must not forget that there are those who think differently. Without wasting time on those who reject or oppose us, we should especially at the beginning seek out those who share our perspective and proceed together with them. We should consult with them on what can be done for the good and well-being of humanity, present ongoing efforts for their evaluation, and entrust these matters to collective wisdom.</p><p>At the same time, even as we emphasize respect and broad-mindedness, we must remember that both within our own circles and among those we engage with, there may be rigid, intolerant, and radical individuals. For this reason, we must carefully plan our steps and projects. If participating in certain joint initiatives under a shared platform is likely to attract criticism and harm dialogue efforts, then we should be content with more limited and appropriate forms of cooperation. Every action we take should be based on careful evaluation and consultation with qualified individuals, supported by mutual exchange of ideas, and aimed at approaches that will be widely accepted. On the one hand, we must be sincere in our intentions; on the other, we must carry out our efforts in a reasonable, strategic, and wise manner.</p><p>As can be seen, the responsibility placed on the architects of dialogue in our time is substantial and carries profound significance.</p><p>[1] Nursi, B. S. (2007). <em>The Letters (Mektubat)</em> (22nd Letter, First Section, pp. 296–306). Kaynak Publications.</p><p>[2] The Qur’an. (n.d.). <em>Surah al-Isra</em> (17:70).</p><p>[3] The Qur’an. (n.d.). <em>Surah at-Tin</em> (95:4).</p><p>[4] Bertrand Russell. (1959). <em>Common sense and nuclear warfare</em>. George Allen &amp; Unwin.</p>

The Responsibilities of the Architects of Dialogue