Istanbul, Türkiye, October 5, 2026, FAH Online News – The global refugee crisis has become one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges, requiring responses that go beyond political, legal, economic, and security approaches to include ethical, spiritual, and human dignity-based perspectives. This issue was highlighted at the 13th International Badiuzzaman Symposium, “Qur'anic Solution to Global Crisis,” held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 4–6, 2026.

At the international forum, which brought together academics and religious scholars from various countries, Dr. Mauidlotun Nisa', Lc., M.Hum., a lecturer at the Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH), UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, presented her research entitled “The Global Crises and Refugees: The Relevance of Said Nursi's Thought to Humanitarian Policy in Turkey.”

In her presentation, Dr. Mauidlotun Nisa' examined the relevance of the thought of Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, particularly the ideas articulated in Risale-i Nur, to the refugee crisis and broader global humanitarian challenges. She argued that Nursi’s thought offers a relevant ethical foundation for developing humanitarian policies that are more just and centered on respect for human dignity.

She explained that Risale-i Nur emphasizes fundamental values such as rahmah (compassion), ukhuwah (brotherhood), ikhlas (sincerity), ‘adl (justice), and respect for human dignity as essential principles for social life. These values are rooted in faith and tawhid (the oneness of God) and form a framework that can be understood as Qur'anic humanism.

Within this framework, protecting and respecting fellow human beings is viewed not merely as a social obligation but also as a moral and spiritual responsibility.

The study emphasized that addressing the refugee crisis cannot rely solely on political, legal, economic, and security measures. It also requires ethical foundations, solidarity, empathy, and respect for human rights.

The Relevance of Nursi’s Thought to Türkiye’s Refugee Policy

Furthermore, the lecturer of the Diplomatic and State Affairs Translation course related the values found in Risale-i Nur to Türkiye’s refugee policies.

According to her, there is a strong connection between the humanitarian values articulated in Said Nursi’s thought and Türkiye’s refugee policies, including its open-door policy and Temporary Protection scheme.

Nevertheless, the implementation of these policies continues to face various challenges, particularly in the areas of security, economic conditions, social dynamics, and politics.

In this context, Said Nursi’s thought can serve as an ethical foundation for promoting refugee policies that are more inclusive, just, humane, and sustainable.

The universal values contained in Risale-i Nur can also offer an alternative paradigm for addressing the global refugee crisis. This paradigm places justice, international solidarity, empathy, and respect for human dignity at the center of humanitarian responses.

Connecting Qur'anic Thought with Global Challenges

The 13th International Badiuzzaman Symposium served as an international forum bringing together diverse perspectives on Said Nursi’s thought and its relevance to contemporary global challenges.

Held at AKM Taksim, Istanbul, on October 4, 2026, the event was officially opened by the Minister of Religious Affairs of Türkiye, together with prominent religious scholars from various countries. The symposium was attended by representatives from approximately 60 countries, who engaged in dialogue on Said Nursi’s thought in relation to the global crises facing the world today.

Dr. Mauidlotun Nisa’s participation in the forum reflects the contribution of academics from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta to international discourse on humanitarian issues, particularly by bringing together Islamic studies, Qur'anic thought, diplomacy, and humanitarian policy.

Through the perspective presented in her study, Said Nursi’s thought is not merely viewed as an important legacy of Islamic intellectual tradition, but also as a source of values that can continue to engage in dialogue with contemporary humanitarian challenges.

Amid the complexity of the global refugee crisis, an approach that integrates faith, humanity, justice, and solidarity is essential for developing policies that are not only politically effective but also morally responsible and respectful of human dignity.

Written by: Surya Ananta Wijaya Kusuma

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