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University Forum and Iftar Colleges and Universities in Zamboanga are now open to Risale-i Nur perspective of understanding belief, Islam and its significance in understanding the purpose of life and its relationship to their creator’s way or wisdom of creation. Risale-i Nur has been widely accepted in S.T.I. Western Mindanao Cooperative College, Universidad de Zamboanga, and Ateneo de Zamboanga by most of the students and faculty, not because of imposed rules by the authorities on Education or school, but because of their understanding and acceptance of Risale- i Nur as a tool for self transformation.
The students who reads and understand Risale seen to be more responsible, serious and humble in their ways and in their studies, as observed by some of the school faculties. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, the President of Silsilah, Muslim- Christian Movements in the Philippines said that” if only Muslims reads Risale-iNur, it will not be difficult to introduce Dialogue to the communities because when they read it they become open minded and confident about their faith and share it to others, they are ready to dialogue and understand others”.
Although at first, when it was newly introduced in Zamboanga City, many criticized and even had an ill talk about the book. But I was just thinking and reminded of what the author of Risale I Nur said in the letters to his students that“ there are people and even learned scholar who knows the truth about Risale but refused to accept it due to some personal reasons and vested interest this”. It helped me and post a challenge to me and pushed me more to experience meeting different kind of people while introducing Risale with confidence. Also, Said Nursi said “If Allah likes a thing and He is pleased with it, He will make others accept and consent to it.” This way of thinking is vital in the pursuit to serve belief in Islam and invite others to the same.
Now, when we go around the world we can finally see Dershanes everywhere and most of it inculcate Islamic values and norms in the society through conversational reading (sohbet) and prayers while trying to live a simple lifestyle. In Zamboanga, it was trough our brother Emre and his initiatives that we are gifted the first dershane in Zamboanga. His way in approaching our friends is subtle and eventually gain long lasting friendship. He is also the first one who visited us in Zamboanga and give lecture in one of the universities and also bringing us books and help us in our reading camps. Through the Risale-i Nur jumaah and support. University visit and giving free Iftar become our tradition since dershane was open. Also a tradition to have at least once a month reading camp.
Next week, will be having our last two Ramadhan Campus lecture and Iftar with students.
Prison Visit
Prison Visit was memorable this year, one of the very important Student of Risale- Abdullah yegin abi and his group, came and visited us in Zamboanga and Basilan particularly in our prisons July this year. This Ramadan only Mohammad Riza was able to visit us here and the prisoners, it was a very touching experienced, when I saw him inside the jail leading them in their magrib prayer and eating Iftar together with the prisoners and giving them derse, also when he lead them in their friday prayers. I wish that I was a man at that time so that I can freely read and discuss with them Risale and do what brother Riza did.. Still Alhamdulillah, we are thankful and fortunate enough, that we have our courageous brother who help us here this Ramadan to be with the prisoners.
Island and community visit
5 days before Riza abe came me and other ladies went to visit Risale-i Nur Island where we had readings with the Island people and give them something for their Ramadan.
Then he came, after our University visit and prison visit, we went to Lamitan to give lecture to almost 2thausand people at the cultural center; on the Wisdom of Ramadan. After the talk we had lecture on Hizmet activities and system of Risale-i Nur to 35 Head of Madrasa there, sharing them some ways and methodology on how to make their teachings effective to students by making used of Risale-I Nur books in Madrasa. And also he gave free Iftar to those heads of Madrasa.
Immersion Program and regional Reading Camps
Immersion Program is a zamboanga dershane activity to bring the Kids and ladies from Zamboanga to visit other dershane in the philippines, we are inviting young ladies to visit various dershane in the Philippines the activity will provide a wider understanding of each other especially from different tribes and region to know each other and to have common reading activities together. This year we had two groups of visitation to Marawi Dershane. and we plan to bring the ladies before the year ends to manila dershane , iligan dershane and to Malaybalay Bukidnon.
For our regional reading camps: it is an annual activity inviting selected readers of Risale- i Nur to come together to discuss Risale-iNur methods ways on self transformation, it is a four-day activity to deepen our understanding and practices of Risale-i Nur and also a venue for re-union of Nur students and readers serving in the Philippines aiming to inform each other of their existing effort in their respective dershane. last years regional reading camp gathered various representative from various Unversities from neibhoring regions like Sulu Basilan and Tawi Tawi. Marawi and CDO.
We will call for mishuara regarding our next years regional reading camp. The proposed date will be January 20-24 this year.
Establishing Risale-i Nur Madrasa ( Dershane) and Publishing Risale.
Just last year May of 2006 Manila dershane for ladies was open Alhamdulillah as well as Marawi, This year we will open another ladies dershane in Lamitan City, in Basilan. We hope for your prayers. A very big two floor house with 3 rooms plus bookstore space downstairs was donated for ladies dershane by one of the Risale-iNur readers in Basilan our sister Jubaira Said. It will need a little renovations and improvements. (Please see list of needs below)
27th day of October this year Lamitan Dershane will be formally open inshallah with your prayer and support. To all these help, we would like to congratulate the brothers and the Nur Families for their sadaqa and good deeds, May Allah multiply those blessings you have shared and may he makes you all happy in this world and in the next. Allah Kabul etsin. Please helps us to continue to pray that 7100 islands will benefit from Risale, a taste of verified and perfect belief, as a gift from the most merciful Allah. And for those who helps in the Publishing of Risale-i Nur in the Philippines particularly the Letters to prisoners and Guide for women. May Allah be please with you all and protect you from hellfire.
*The Risale –I – Nur is a contemporary interpretation (tafseer) of the Qur’an. The writer is a reader of the Risale I Nur Collection and Dawah Committee Member of the YMPN. |
"There are certain developments that respond to increasing globalization in general and the post-September 11 war on terrorism in particular. An organization that spans both Mindanao and Manila is the Young Moro Professionals. Well-educated -- often doctors, lawyers, journalists, or others with advanced degrees -- this younger generation is qualified to compete in a globalized economy but also feels compelled to speak out on issues concerning Muslims in the Philippines."