An international symposium named after a prominent Islamic scholar, Imam-i Rabbani, was launched in Istanbul on 15 November. Known as the “reviver of the second millennium”, the Indian Islamic scholar brings the messages, rejuvenating Islam beyond centuries. A three-day symposium organised by the Aziz Mahmut Hudayi Foundation and Istanbul Sufi Studies Centre started with an opening ceremony at the Halic Congress Centre. Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate President Mehmet Gormez, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek and Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag were also in the attendance at the ceremony along with more than 40 academicians around the world. Speaking at the opening ceremony which started with a Quran recitation, Mehmet Gormez said works of Imam-i Rabbani managed to address various types of people in the society.
Imām Rabbānī Shaykh Ahmad al-Farūqī al-Sirhindī (1564–1624) was an Indian Islamic scholar, a Hanafi jurist, and a prominent member of the Naqshbandī Sufi order. He is described as Mujaddid Alf Thānī, meaning the “reviver of the second millennium”, for his work in rejuvenating Islam.