The conference titled "Instrumentalization of the Sacred: Socio-Political Dimensions of Religious Exploitation," organized as part of the 20th anniversary events of Kastamonu University, was held with high participation in the Faculty of Theology Conference Hall. 

Speaking at a program prepared in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology, the Muhammed İhsan Oğuz Application and Research Center, and the Muhammed İhsan Oğuz Foundation, Deputy President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmet İshak Demir addressed the distinction between the essence of religion and its exploitation within a historical and sociological framework.  

Starting with the recitation of the Quran, Prof. Dr. Demir emphasized the importance of correctly understanding and interpreting religion, noting that Muslims' historical experiences may not always align perfectly with the religion's original sources. At this point, he emphasized that deviations that sometimes occur can be rectified through continuous accounting based on the Quran and Sunnah.  

Defining the exploitation of religion as the instrumentalization of sacred values to exploit the goodwill of individuals or groups for material or spiritual gain, Demir stated that this situation has serious consequences for both religious and social trust.  

Touching on historical examples, Prof. Dr. Demir recalled events from Islamic history, such as the Incident of the Mosque of Dhirar and the Incident of the Arbitrators, and explained how religion could be instrumentalized. He stated that the incident in which pages of the Quran were attached to the ends of spears is one of the most striking examples of the sacred being used for political purposes. Recalling the example of Giordano Bruno from Western history, Prof.Dr.Demir stated that similar forms of exploitation have been observed in different geographies and periods.

Addressing the youth as well, Prof. Dr. Demir emphasized that religion is a guide that liberates people, highlighted the importance of critical thinking against information pollution, and stated that religious knowledge should be obtained from reliable sources.  

The event, attended by Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan and Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, Vice President of the Muhammed İhsan Oğuz Foundation M. İhsan Oğuz, and Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aykaç continued with the presentation of awards to the students who ranked in the Ilmihal Reading Competition organized across our University.  

The program concluded with great interest and a photo session.

Kastamonu University has initiated a collaboration to make overseas travel for its academic and administrative staff more convenient and cost-effective. Thanks to the Corporate Agreement between our university and Turkish Airlines (THY), our staff will be able to enjoy various privileges on international flights. 

Under the agreement, our personnel will have access to special discounted fares for international ticket purchases through THY's corporate portal. Additionally, corporate benefits will be offered to our staff, including the option to purchase extra baggage beyond the standard allowance, free or priority seat selection before the flight, and flexibility in ticket changes and refunds.

Our personnel who wish to benefit from THY's facilities must apply via their corporate email accounts to corporatethy@kastamonu.edu.tr to obtain the necessary username and password for the corporate login panel.  

Details on the system login process and the use of advantageous ticket purchase screens are included in the Entry and User Guide.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, in his evaluation regarding the agreement, stated, "We value such collaborations that will support the international activities of our academic and administrative staff." While continuing our efforts to diversify institutional opportunities, we hope that the provided resources will enhance work processes. 

To raise awareness of the addiction issue threatening public health, the "Seminar on Combating Alcohol and Drugs," organized by the Kastamonu Platform and the Kastamonu Civil Society Organizations Power Union, was held on April 14, 2026, at the Sezai Karakoç Hall of the Central Library at Kastamonu University. 

The seminar was held with the contributions and support of the Kastamonu Platform and the Kastamonu Civil Society Organizations Power Union, as well as the Kastamonu Governorate Provincial Gendarmerie Command, Provincial Police Department, Provincial National Education Directorate, Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, Provincial Health Directorate, Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, and the Green Crescent Kastamonu Branch. 

Former Minister of Interior, Labor and Social Security Murat Başesgioğlu, Kastamonu Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı, our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, Kastamonu Provincial Gendarmerie Commander J. Kd. Alb. Hikmet Uz, Kastamonu Provincial Police Chief Tamer Taş, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Abdülkadir Tuna, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oğuz Fındıkoğlu, President of the Kastamonu Commodity Exchange Serdar İzbeli, President of the Kastamonu Platform Nurcan Acaroğlu Göktaş, members of the Kastamonu Civil Society Organizations Power Union, political party representatives, and many academics and students attended. 

In the seminar aimed at raising awareness among young people, it was emphasized that addiction is not only an individual issue but also an important social problem affecting families and society. It was stated that protecting university youth plays a critical role in combating addiction. 

Speaking at the opening of the program, Nurcan Acaroğlu Göktaş, the General President of the Kastamonu Platform, emphasized that the primary duty of non-governmental organizations is to raise awareness and highlighted that the fight against addiction is a shared responsibility of public institutions, educational organizations, and society. 

Former Minister of Interior and Minister of Labor and Social Security, Murat Başesgioğlu, who attended the seminar, stated that the security forces are conducting determined efforts in the fight against drugs and emphasized the importance of social solidarity against the drug threat targeting the youth. Başesgioğlu called on young people to stay away from addictions and to build their futures as strong individuals.

After Başesgioğlu, Kastamonu Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı, who took the floor, stated that the fight against addiction is not only the responsibility of security units but also a common issue for all segments of society, and said that state institutions are always by the side of citizens in this fight.

Retired First-Class Police Chief Bülent Kılıçtepe, who gave a presentation as part of the seminar, shared his field experience and addressed the roles of family, educational institutions, and the social environment in protecting young people. 

The final word at the event was given to Gizay Özen, an official from the Green Crescent Counseling Center (YEDAM), who informed participants about the psychosocial support services, counseling processes, and application mechanisms offered to support the fight against addiction.

The event, aimed at fostering the development of young people into healthy, conscious individuals, concluded with a plaque presentation following the question-and-answer session.