President of the International
Union of Muslim Scholars Participates in the Inauguration of Sheikh Mahmoud
Effendi College and the Graduation Ceremony of Its Students in Trabzon
In a majestic scene reflecting the
continuity of knowledge and its noble mission, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Ali
Al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, took
part on Saturday, July 5, in the inauguration of Sheikh Mahmoud Effendi
College—may Allah have mercy on him—in the city of Of, in the Turkish province
of Trabzon. His participation came in response to a gracious invitation from
the organizers of this blessed educational project.
The event was attended by a number of
scholars and preachers, most notably Sheikh Salih Topçu, imam and preacher of
Sheikh al-Islam Ismail Agha Mosque in Istanbul, who is also the founder and
general supervisor of the college, along with a group of educators and scholars
interested in Islamic sciences and spiritual refinement.
Coinciding with the college's opening, a
graduation ceremony was held for 70 students who had studied under a
distinguished group of scholars under the supervision of Sheikh Salih Topçu.
This initiative represents a continuation of
the scholarly legacy laid down by the late spiritual leader Imam Mahmoud
Effendi, may Allah have mercy on him, and a revival of his mission in spreading
knowledge and serving the Shari’ah.
A Warm Welcome and
Mutual Respect
Upon his arrival at the college, the
President of the Union was received with a warm welcome, reflecting the high
esteem in which he is held among scholars and preachers, particularly by the
Ismail Agha Waqf. They are united by mutual respect and a shared mission.
A Waqf That
Connects the Present to the Roots of Civilization
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sheikh
Al-Qaradaghi said:
“This blessed Waqf, founded by
the devout scholar Ismail Agha—may Allah have mercy on him—then carried forward
by the saintly Sheikh Mahmoud Effendi, continued by his student Sheikh Hassan
Effendi, and today supervised by Sheikh Fikret and led academically by Sheikh
Salih, is not merely an institution, but a continuation of the spirit of
Islamic endowment. It nourishes the Ummah with knowledge and the Qur’an,
linking its present to the roots of its civilization.”
His Eminence emphasized that the college,
the newly established boarding center, and the mosque are not mere stone
buildings, but “fortresses of light and sanctuaries of scholarly renewal rooted
in authentic chains of Islamic knowledge.”
Knowledge as a
Waqf for the Sake of Allah
Sheikh Al-Qaradaghi spoke about the role of
endowments (awqaf) in reviving the Ummah, stressing that when knowledge is
dedicated purely for the sake of Allah—not for career or fame—it becomes pure
knowledge that serves the Ummah and renews its faith.
He added:
“The concept of endowed knowledge
is a strategic vision that elevates the Ummah, especially when knowledge is
freed from the dominance of money and politics and becomes sincerely devoted to
Allah—educating, nurturing, and refining.”
In reflecting on the secret behind the
continuity and lasting impact of such institutions, Sheikh Al-Qaradaghi
explained:
1-
Sincerity of intention:
Whoever is sincere to Allah, Allah preserves his knowledge and sustains his
mission.
2-
Community involvement:
The community must feel that the waqf belongs to them, that the school is
theirs, and that the responsibility is collective—not individual.
A Model to Emulate
His Eminence concluded his speech by
praising what he had witnessed in the city of Of, describing it as “a model to
be emulated” in terms of intergenerational connection, unity among scholars,
sincerity of purpose, sound administration, and the harmony between spiritual
depth and organizational excellence.
At the end of his visit, he prayed that
Allah bless this noble initiative, place it in the record of good deeds of the
late Imam Mahmoud Effendi and his students, and bless the land that produces
men of light, knowledge born of sincerity, and endowments born of mercy.
(Source:
IUMS + Social Media)
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اضغط (هنا).