
International Guest- Lecture and Said Nursi Corner Designated the first Collaborative Activities between Antasari State Islamic University and IFSC
Banjarmasin. Just a week after the Rector of Antasari State Islamic University of Banjarmasin signed the MOU with the Director of the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture (IFSC), activities began on Monday, September 23, 2024, with an international guest lecture featuring IFSC representatives Hasby Sen, MA, and Prof. Ismail Latif Hacinebioglu from the Institute of Islamic Studies, Istanbul University. The lecture was held in the Zafry Zamzam hall, 3rd floor of the Rectorate.
In his remarks at the event’s opening, the rector explained that during his visit to Istanbul last week, he visited three institutions: IFSC, Marmara University, and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University. As for the IFSC, the rector has signed an MOU and discussed various opportunities for cooperation, such as international guest lectures, teaching and training on the integration of knowledge for students and lecturers, and science learning methods integrated with Islamic values.
During the guest lecture activity, Hasby Sen introduced the thoughts of prominent Anatolian ulama Said Nursi, born in 1877. He discussed his struggle against secularism, his pioneering of the renewal of Islamic education through the integration of knowledge, and his encouragement of the unity of the ummah.

Furthermore, Prof. Hacinebioglu talked about the importance of logic. He posited that comprehension of propositions facilitates the identification and refutation of invalid arguments. Therefore, it is crucial to balance simplicity and complexity in arguments to have more constructive debates.
After delivering the public lecture and discussion, the rector invited the two guests from Turkey to visit the library to see the Banjar Corner and Melayu Corner. In addition, the rector also showed the ‘Said Nursi Corner’, which is placed on the 2nd floor of the library. “We start with a small one. Later, it can be bigger. Hopefully, we can make a Turkey Corner here soon,” said the rector. Hasby Sen then handed over several books by Said Nursi to the Head of the Library, Dr. Saifuddin, to complement the new corner.
