Qur'anic Solutions for Global Crises
Call for Papers
Since 1991, the Istanbul Foundation for Knowledge and Culture (IFKC) has partnered with many international organizations and academic institutions to host symposia honoring Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's scholarly and spiritual guidance, with the goal of creating a better, more livable world. As the latest link in this tradition, the 13th International Bediuzzaman Symposium will take place in Istanbul on October 4–6, 2026, under the title, "Qur'anic Solutions for Global Crises."
Held this year under the theme "Qur'anic Solutions for Global Crises," the symposium seeks Qur'an-informed responses to the humanitarian and societal questions of our time. Hundreds of academics, scholars, researchers, madrasa scholars, members of the media, opinion leaders, and civil-society representatives will be selected from 668 paper submissions received from five continents, 60 countries, and 448 different international institutions and organizations, and will evaluate the issues of our age on an international platform in light of the thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.
This event will be organized with the contributions of the following universities, international organizations, and foundations:
- Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (Türkiye)
- Süleyman Demirel University (Türkiye)
- Iğdır University (Türkiye)
- Üsküdar University Risale-i Nur Research Platform (RINAP) (Türkiye)
- Isparta University of Applied Sciences (Türkiye)
- International University of Sarajevo (IUS) — Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia State University — USA
- Imam Abu Hanifa University
- Ez-Zitouna University — Tunisia
- ISTAC – IIUM — Malaysia
- University of Khartoum — Sudan
- UNIDA Gontor (Universitas Darussalam) — Indonesia
- Salahaddin University-Erbil — Iraq
- Elrazi University — Sudan
- University of Kut — Iraq
- Usman dan Fodio University — Nigeria
- Afro-Asian University
- Union of Afro-Asia Universities (UAAU)
- European Organization of Islamic Centers (EOIC)
- World Federation of Arab Islamic International Schools (WFAIIS)
- World Union Organization for Arabic Press
- Arab Women Leaders Association
- Universal League of Islamic Literature
- Arab Union for Culture and Creativity
- Maqasid Institute
In addition, representatives of the following Turkish institutions have been invited:
- Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
- Presidency of Religious Affairs
- Public institutions
- Civil society organizations
- Academics from national and international public and foundation universities
- Representatives of national and international educational institutions
Within this framework, we are inviting high-quality scholarly papers and inspirational contributions on the following themes:
Vision of Civilization in the New World Order
Building Revelation-Centered Societies and Families
Spiritual and Social Problems of the Modern Era
In addressing these themes, we ask prospective participants to discuss their subjects in the light of the Qur'an, the prophetic example, and the broader Islamic tradition, especially – but not necessarily – as revitalized in the thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.
The symposium languages will be English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian and Turkish.
Simultaneous translations will be provided in Arabic, English, and Turkish.
Travel and accommodation expenses of accepted symposium participants will be provided by the IFKC. For papers with multiple authors, travel and accommodation support will be provided for only one author.
Selected papers will be published as a book after the symposium and in scientific journals for those who wish.
Paper submissions are now closed; the selection process from the 668 abstracts received is in progress.
Please follow our website for the symposium schedule and updated announcements.