Meeting With Sadettin Ökten

Although he is a Civil Engineer, Assoc. Dr. Sadettin Ökten is known for his professor identity and knowledge of cities and civilization, especially Islamic Civilization. A group of our high school students came together with him. The NUN Library Meeting was held in the atmosphere of a conversation in the form of a question and answer. In his book "Gelenek Sanat ve Medeniyet" (Tradition Art and Civilization), Ökten invites today's people to correctly interpret the civilization of revelation and Western Civilization and produce the art needed by the society in which they live. He shared his advice on how to create better and empower our values. Ökten was born and raised in Istanbul, experienced the İstanbul culture that filtered down from ancient times and lived this culture. He told about his childhood and what he remembered about İstanbul in the years of his lived youth.

He gave advice to students on how to build their own identity in their life journey. Talking about his own philosophy of life, Ökten explained the importance of living life in all its dimensions, full of art and literature. The questions he directed to the students enabled them to question their own selves and thought processes from different perspectives. He inspired our students by passing on his own experiences.

The interview ended after Ökten advised the students not to neglect the intellectual history of the west and east after learning science, to read by choosing works suitable for their souls and bodies, to engage in art, to memorize poetry and to believe that every opportunity is a divine grace.