Prof. İrfan Gündüz and Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan addressed important topics during the “İftar Sevinci” program broadcasted by Erkam TV on March 9, 2025. The program covered various topics such as youth education, the foundation model, and the transmission of cultural heritage to new generations.
Prof. İrfan Gündüz and Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan discussed the lasting and impactful services carried out by institutions such as TÜRGEV, TÜGVA, Ibn Haldun University, Sabahattin Zaim University, İlim Yayma Vakfı, and Okçular Vakfı. They emphasized the importance of creating a youth model that remains connected to its past, draws strength from it, and looks to the future with confidence.
Erdoğan highlighted the influence of positive role models on how individuals choose to spend their lives. He underlined the significance of parents who dedicate their time to pursuing their beliefs and goals rather than mere pleasure, and how this dedication plays a crucial role in the development of their children.
The program addressed the ideas of intellectuals like Cemil Meriç and Mehmet Akif, particularly their notion that “We can be as prosperous as Europe while remaining true to ourselves.” The Westernization movement that began with the Tanzimat era and its deficiencies were discussed. The importance of the struggle to revive and preserve our own identity and culture was emphasized, along with the necessity of transmitting this cultural heritage to future generations.
The milestones of progress throughout the history of civilization were examined through works such as Ibn al-Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam and the recent studies of Fuat Sezgin. An overview was provided of the studies focusing on the heritage of Islamic science and history, the translation movements in Baghdad, and their connection to the establishment of universities in the West.
The importance of increasing the number of thematic schools was highlighted. Through the example of Palet Turkish Music Primary School, the significance of early identification and nurturing of talents was emphasized. Projects developed in collaboration with ministries and the Ministry of National Education were also discussed.
Throughout the program, the message that cultural heritage should be passed on to future generations to enable the youth to face the future with confidence was delivered with strong arguments through various examples, works, and figures.
