The IV International Mullah Al-Jaziri Symposium opened this week in the Cizre district of Şırnak, drawing significant interest from scholars, officials, and the public.

The two-day event focuses on the life, works, and ethics of 16th- and 17th-century Kurdish scholar, poet, and literary figure Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaziri, with this year’s theme titled “Mullah Jaziri’s Understanding of Ethics.”

Organized collaboratively by the Şırnak Governorship, Şırnak University, and Cizre District Governorship, the symposium brings together 111 academics from 23 Turkish universities and 16 international participants from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Indonesia, and Germany.

Deputy Minister of Education Nazif Yılmaz, speaking at the opening, highlighted the enduring significance of Mullah Al-Jaziri’s intellectual legacy. “The discussion and commemoration of Mullah Jaziri today ensure the continuation of a scholarly tradition that preserved both national and spiritual identity while serving society,” he said.

Şırnak Governor Birol Ekici emphasized that this year’s focus on ethics builds upon last year’s discussions of Mullah Al-Jaziri’s views on unity. “The morality Al-Jaziri sought aligns with Islamic ethics,” he said. “His perspective offers lessons for overcoming the dark periods of conflict between communities, reinforcing the principles of unity and brotherhood envisioned in the Türkiye Century initiative.”

Presidential Chief Advisor Gülşen Orhan described Al-Jaziri as more than a poet, calling him a thinker who combined artistic expression with philosophical depth. “The strong participation reflects how vital and inspiring Mullah Al-Jaziri’s intellectual treasury remains,” Orhan said. “Young researchers tracing this tradition and developing new interpretations bring his thought into the contemporary context.”

Cizre District Governor Ahmet Vezir Baycar added that the symposium also highlights the district’s spiritual and cultural richness. “From Mullah Al-Jaziri to Ismael Al Jazari, Fakiye Tayran, and Ibn-i Esir, this tradition transcends time and space. The scientific and mechanical contributions of Ismael Al Jazari continue to inspire modern innovation,” he said, noting the importance of sharing this heritage with younger generations.

Organizing committee chairman Associate Professor Ahmet Özdemir likened Jaziri’s impact on Cizre to the spiritual legacies left by Mevlana Celalettin-i Rumi in Konya and Orhan and Osman Gazi in Bursa. “Al-Jaziri’s life and works bring a unique spiritual identity to the region, and the participation of international scholars will help further promote his legacy globally,” he said.

The symposium included poem recitations from Mullah Al Jaziri’s divan and continued with multiple academic sessions. The opening ceremony was attended by Şırnak Mayor Mehmet Yarka, Şırnak AK Party Deputy Arslan Tatar, HÜDA PAR Acting Chairman and Gaziantep Deputy Şahzade Demir, Şırnak Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Osman Geliş, and numerous academics and local citizens. (ILKHA)