In All Forms of Literature, Art, and Thought, the Leading Generation Will Spearhead a Renaissance

Journalist and Author Yusuf Kaplan, who delivered a conference titled "Vision of Civilization and the Leading Generation" at our university's Faculty of Islamic Studies on October 13, responded to our questions about Islamic civilization, intellectual challenges faced by Turkey, and possible solutions.

1. Is Islamic civilization currently active and alive?

"At present, we cannot say that any civilization is living outside of Western civilization. Western civilization presents a challenge and aggression towards other civilizations. As a result, an imperialism experience has been created, and the roots, dynamics, and even perspectives of other civilizations, including Islamic civilization, have been significantly shaken. Their very existence has been made difficult. Arnold Toynbee referred to this as 'the fossilization of 9 out of the 26 civilizations during the 300-year challenge by modernity.' Therefore, we cannot claim that any civilization can exist as it is in the face of Western civilization. However, we see that, to some extent, the Islamic world has been able to resist against Western civilization's intellectual imperialism. An obvious example of this is Palestine today."

2. If Islamic civilization is to rise again, does the "Leading Generation" need an ideal concept beyond the general cultural requirement?

"Absolutely! The Leading Generation will pioneer in all genres of literature, art, and thought, and they will develop original languages in these areas. Without this pioneering spirit in literature, art, and thought, it is impossible for our civilization to make a leap forward."

3. Can it be said that intellectuals in the Islamic world and Turkey pay enough attention to the sociology of the societies they live in?

"We cannot equate the Islamic world with Turkey in this regard. The experiences of modernization they have undergone are quite different. In the Islamic world, we see that all countries except Turkey have been invaded and subjected to aggression, resulting in the destruction of their cultures. Although there has been no direct attack on Turkey, there has been a mental attack. Since the Tanzimat era, the bureaucracy and the state have been taken over. Starting with Mustafa Reşid Pasha and continuing with Ali Pasha, Fuat Pasha, and the subsequent generation represented by Mithat Pashas, the British took control of the state. This made it easy to perform intellectual surgery in Turkey. We can say that, among intellectuals, Turkey has turned into a 'nation in love with its executioner.' The traces of Westernization are strong not only among secular and Western-leaning intellectuals in Turkey but also among conservative and nationalist intellectuals. However, it cannot be said that these intellectuals are familiar with both Western and their own cultural experiences. I must state this very clearly: the biggest obstacle before Turkey is the intellectuals who do not recognize themselves along with the world."

4. What is the role of art in the expression of Islamic civilization to the world, and has this been sufficiently understood?

"If we think about art more broadly, we are not doing well in cinema and music. When it comes to cinema in the Islamic world, the best answer to the question 'What is happening?' is Iranian cinema. In the Islamic world, there are certainly good directors, such as Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Derviş Zaim. However, the concern to establish a common language through cinema in the Islamic world, as far as I have seen, is found in only one person: Semih Kaplanoğlu. In terms of poetry, the world's greatest poet is currently living in Turkey: İsmet Özel."

5. Is it possible to create an alternative movement against the disinformation created by Israel and its supporters regarding Gaza?

"Absolutely! We can observe this on social media. For example, there was an interesting development during an attack by Israel. At that moment, Israel was defeated on social media! In the Postmodern Era we currently live in, perception has crucified reason. Therefore, it is necessary for governments and civil society organizations to take global action against disinformation through social media and the media. In this context, The Economist, a magazine that has been in publication since 1843, is not just a news magazine but also a publication that directs the powers that govern the world, emphasizing the importance of perception."