The VIII. International Sheikh Şa‘bân-ı Velî Symposium, organized by the Faculty of Theology at Kastamonu University on May 15-16, 2025, is being held this year with the theme "Palestine and Jerusalem from Past to Present." The symposium opened on May 15, 2025, in the Sezai Karakoç Hall of the Central Library, addressing the historical, religious, sociopolitical, and cultural aspects of Jerusalem. 

The opening program of the symposium, which aims to increase academic interest in Palestine and Jerusalem, encourage studies in this field, and raise public awareness, was attended by Kastamonu Governor Meftun Dallı, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan and Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı, representatives of public institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, students, and guests.

After a moment of silence and the National Anthem, the program began with a recitation of the Quran and a slideshow prepared about Palestine. The first speech was delivered by the Chairman of the Symposium Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Nadir Özdemir.

Mehmet Nadir Özdemir, professor: "This Symposium is a Call to Take Responsibility" 
Prof. Dr. Özdemir stressed in his address that Jerusalem is a city that is revered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike, stating, "Throughout history, Jerusalem has been the scene of many tragedies, occupations, and violations."

 Stating that Jerusalem, where great humanitarian dramas are unfolding before the world's eyes today, will be comprehensively addressed in this symposium in light of historical context, religious foundations, legal dimensions, and current political developments, Prof. Dr. Özdemir expressed that this event is not only a remembrance but also a call to take responsibility. Emphasizing that the duty of academics is to spread knowledge, raise awareness, and be the voice of justice, Özdemir thanked all the stakeholders who contributed to the symposium.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal: “Palestine is a Struggle for Dignity and Existence”
Speaking at the opening, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, said that the Palestinian issue is not merely a matter of geography, politics, or diplomacy. "Our Rector, who said, 'It is a struggle for dignity and existence of a people subjected to systematic oppression, occupation, and massacre for nearly a century,' continued his speech with the following words:"

 "What is happening in Palestine is not an ordinary conflict." This is a historical rupture where right confronts wrong, justice confronts oppression, and revelation confronts domination. Israel's attacks on women, children, and the elderly, the bombed hospitals, the destroyed schools; the silenced journalists, and a people condemned to starvation before our very eyes have become one of the greatest shameful images of the contemporary world.

 However, what is even more shameful is the silence of the international public, including Islamic countries, while this atrocity unfolds before the world's eyes. The world, which claims to be civilized, is playing the three monkeys: not seeing, not hearing, and not speaking.

 Our rector thanked the Faculty of Theology, the organizing committee, and all academic/administrative staff for their contributions to the organization of the symposium at the end of his speech.

 Governor Meftun Dallı: "Gaza is Witnessing One of the Greatest Tragedies in Human History"
Finally, Governor Meftun Dallı took the podium. Expressing that Kastamonu has been a center of knowledge and wisdom since its conquest, Governor Dallı expressed his satisfaction that this year's 8th Sheikh Şa‘bân-ı Velî Symposium hosted an important topic like Gaza.

 Governor Dallı stated, "Today, the lands of Palestine, especially Gaza, are witnessing one of the greatest tragedies in human history." Israel's attacks targeting civilian settlements, hospitals, schools, and places of worship; its oppression carried out without distinction between women, children, and the elderly, continue before the eyes of the entire world. Gaza has almost turned into an open-air prison; innocent civilians are losing their lives in the world's silence," he said.

 Saying, "As Turkey, we stand by our Palestinian brothers today as we always have," Governor Dallı stated that our country continues to support Palestine through humanitarian aid, diplomatic initiatives, and efforts to mobilize public conscience.

 Opening Conference: "Whoever Rules Jerusalem, Rules the World"
After the protocol speeches, Prof. Dr. Nuh Arslantaş, a faculty member of the Faculty of Theology at Marmara University, delivered the opening conference titled "Jerusalem and the Holy Land: Yesterday and Today." Stating that Jerusalem's history dates back 20,000 years, that it has been besieged and destroyed many times and rebuilt, Prof. Dr. Arslantaş said that Jerusalem has never been just a city in any period of history, but a sacred area that has been at the center of faith. Arslantaş emphasized the importance of the city with the expression, "He who rules Jerusalem, rules the world."

 Stating that Jerusalem was not initially seen as a holy city in Judaism and Christianity, and that this holiness was added centuries later, Arslantaş recalled that Jerusalem was the first qibla in Islam, expressing that Jerusalem is a holy city at the core of Islam.

 Following the presentation, Prof. Dr. Nuh Arslantaş received a gift and a plaque of appreciation, and the external stakeholders who helped support the symposium also received plaques.

 Jerusalem Special Session on May 16
As part of the two-day symposium, a "Special Session on Jerusalem" will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 16:30 to 18:00 in the Sezai Karakoç Hall of the Central Library. The session will be chaired by Prof. Dr. İsmail Safa Üstün, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Marmara University.

 In the session, Prof. Dr. Cengiz Tomar from IRCICA will present on "The Future of Jerusalem Studies," and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alaattin Dolu from the History Department of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kastamonu University will present on "Dispossession Policies in Palestine and the Jerusalem Endowments." Assist Prof.Dr. Hamza Yavuz, a faculty member from the Department of International Relations at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, will evaluate the Jerusalem issue from the perspective of international relations with his presentation titled "An Embassy in Jerusalem, a Rift in the Diaspora: American Jews' Perspectives on Trump's Embassy Decision and the Future of Jerusalem."