Medresetü’z Zehra: Said Nursî’s Vision for an Integrated Model of Islamic and Modern Education

Abstract

This article analyzes Said Nursî's Medresetü’z Zehra project, an innovative educational endeavor aimed at merging religious and contemporary sciences under a unified institutional structure. Nursî's concept was conceived not only as a safeguard against the deterioration of traditional madrasas and the secularization of Western-style schools but also as a proactive solution, intended to fulfill both intellectual and spiritual requirements by integrating the advantages of religious, scientific, and moral education. The initiative sought to elevate educational standards in the Eastern regions of the Ottoman Empire, foster interdisciplinary cooperation, and develop personnel proficient in tackling modern difficulties. Notwithstanding considerable challenges, such as Nursî's banishment by the secular Turkish Republic, his aspiration for a comprehensive, civilization-oriented university, epitomized by entities like Jami’ al-Azhar in Van, persists in shaping dialogues on the reform of Islamic education. The paper underscores the lasting importance of Medresetü’z Zehra as an educational and civilizational initiative, seeking to rejuvenate the Islamic intellectual legacy and foster unity among diverse Muslim populations by situating its historical, theoretical, and practical aspects.

Keywords: Education, Islamic education, Medresetü’z Zehrâ, Said Nursî.