CONFERENCES
Organising conferences, panels and seminars has always been among the important action items for Feza Foundation.
Commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), “Infinite Light Conferences” has always been on top the annual action list for conferences.
(Note that between 2000-2004, these conferences were called “Eternal Prophethood” and between 2005-2008 they were called “Blessed Birth”. We named this annual event “Infinite Light Conference” in 2009).
Addressing current affairs and educating the NSW Turkish community on various social issues, our foundation occasionally organise panels and seminars in addition to “Infinite Light Conferences”.
List of conferences, panels and seminars to date
2009
Commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Feza Foundation organised the “Infinite Light Conference” on 01 May 2009. The event took place at Bankstown Town Hall with more than 400 audience attending.
Addressing the audience on “Characteristics of the ideal society promoted by the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)”, Prof Dr Ali Erbas, Dean of Faculty of Theology from Sakarya University, Turkey was the first speaker of the night.
Followingly, the audience enjoyed listening to Turkish State Artist Ahmet Calisir’s Qur’an recitation and a half hour Sufi music performance.
Then Prof Johannah B Segarich from the Middlesex College, Massachusetts, who was invited from the US, took stage. From an American Muslim perspective, she spoke on “Universal Mercy, Reflections on the Characteristic of Compassion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)”.
The night ended with Dr Salih Yucel’s interesting speech on “The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) in poetry”. Mr Yucel is a distinguished academician at Monash University, Faculty of Theology.
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2008
On 25 April 2008, Feza Foundation organised its annual “Blessed Birth” conference.
With more than 400 people attending, the event took place at the C3 Centre, Silverwater.
Teaching at Monash University Faculty of Theology, Dr Salih Yucel was the speaker of the night and he gave a presentation on “The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) as mentioned on the Western civilisation resources”.
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2007
With five international guest speakers, Feza Foundation organised a panel on 25 November 2007 at Sule College Gymnasium, Prestons.
Topic of the panel was “Turkey’s Role in International Relations and Changing Dynamics in the Middle East”.
Panelists were as follows:
Prof Serif Ali Tekalan President, International Turkish Universities Federation
Prof Dogu Ergil International Relations Faculty, University of Ankara, Turkey
Prof Vahit Kirisci Member of the Turkish Parliament, Adana member
Prof Nazif Gurdogan Fatih University, Turkey
Abdulhadi Ozisik Journalist, internethaber.com
The panel was held as an interactive session which engaged with the audience and went on for two hours.
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Commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Feza Foundation organised a conference on 06 May 2006 at the Carlton Hotel, Parramatta as part of a series of events called “Blessed Birth”.
Addressing the audience on “the Prophet’s (pbuh) role in the family as leader”, Ibrahim Kocabiyik, the eminent theologian and producer from Turkey’s Samanyolu Television, was the first speaker of the night.
Secondly, a group of four; including Gazi Ergisi, Omer Sık, Ali Dinclik and Fatih Aydogan, performed four Islamic hymns marking the event.
Followingly, Mehmet Ali Sengul, the eminent theologian and Turkey Zaman Newspaper columnist, emphasised on the issue of the Prophet’s (pbuh) companions and their loyalty towards him.
Lastly, Feza Foundation Education Coordinator Abdulgaffar Dereli spoke on “the Prophet’s (pbuh) love and mercy towards humanity”.
The night closed with positive remarks as books signifying the event, roses and Turkish delights were distributed to the audience as complimentary gifts.
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2005
The Fourth Annual “Blessed Birth” conference was organised on 03 July 2005 at the Carlton Hotel, Parramatta.
Addressing the audience on “Solutions to problems experienced in our families in the light of the Prophet Muhammed’s (pbuh) teachings”, Prof Dr Davud Akyuz, an prominent academician from the Sakarya University Faculty of Theology, Turkey, was the first speaker of the night.
Secondly, Sule College Primary School Chorus performed songs marking the event.
Thirdly, Abdulhakim Yuce, an academician from the Van University Faculty of Theology, Turkey, spoke on the topic of the “Family education and fostering children in the light of the Prophet Muhammed’s (pbuh) teachings”
Followingly, a group of three; including Gazi Ergisi, Omer Sık and Ali Dinclik, performed three Islamic hymns signifying the event.
Lastly, Feza Foundation Education Coordinator Abdulgaffar Dereli spoke on “Migration in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)”.
The night conluded with a plaque ceremony by Feza Foundation officials to the speakers.
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2004
“Infinite Light Conference”
Speakers
Mehmet Ali Sengul - theologian and Zaman Newspaper columnist
Ibrahim Kocabiyik - theologian and TV producer at Samanyolu TV
Ahmet Tasgetiren – theologian and journalist
2003
“Universal Message of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)”
Speakers
Mehmet Ali Sengul - theologian and Zaman Newspaper columnist
Prof Dr Serif Ali Tekalan – Fatih University
Associate Dr. Kemalettin Ozdemir
“Turkey’s Role in a Changing World”
Speakers
Associate Dr. Hadi Adanali – University of Ankara, Turkey
Prof Dr Abdulaziz Berghout
2002
“Responsibilities of Muslims in a Changing World”
Speakers
Prof Dr Hayrettin Karaman – theologian and author
Prof Dr Umit Meric – theologian
Mehmet Ali Sengul – theologian and Zaman Newspaper columnist
Cemal Ussak – Vice President, Turkish Journalists and Writers Foundation
2001
“Individuals in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah, the Prophet Muhammed’s (pbuh) teachings”
Speakers
Prof Dr Suat Yildirim – Marmara University Faculty of Theology
2000
“Ottoman Empire and its Legacy – Celebrating 700 Years of History”
Speakers
Mehmet Ali Sengul – theologian and Zaman Newspaper columnist
Yavuz Bulent Bakiler – journalist and author
Mehmet Dogan – associate, Fatih University
“Eternal Prophethood Symposium”
