TÜBİTAK spent 3 million liras on rain prayer research

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) has come to the fore with a 3 million lira grant for a historical study. Having previously drawn attention for its support of unconventional projects, TÜBİTAK has this time allocated a significant budget to a study titled "Rain Prayer."

The project, which will be carried out by Bursa Uludağ University, will examine the relationship between rain prayers performed between the 7th and 11th centuries and environmental issues.

STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED AT ULUDAĞ UNIVERSITY

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Öznur Özdemir will lead the project, and this research will be conducted to perform an eco-theological analysis of rain prayers from a historical perspective. This international research will examine the interaction between humans, nature, and the creator in rain prayer rituals during the early and classical Islamic periods. The study will also investigate whether rain prayer demonstrates a religious stance against environmental awareness and ecological crises.

The research aims to bring environmental awareness in Islamic thought to the present day in light of historical data. By addressing the social and spiritual aspects of rain prayer, it will focus on the value these rituals hold in a social context and how their relationship with the environment is shaped. Thus, it is aimed to offer a new perspective on how past beliefs connected with environmental problems.

TÜBİTAK'S SUPPORT 

TÜBİTAK provided the 3 million lira support for this project under the "2515 - COST Action Members R&D Support Program." This program aims to support Turkish researchers working in international thematic networks within the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). While TÜBİTAK provides support of up to 3 million TL for each project, it sets the project duration limit at 36 months.

TÜBİTAK'S LARGE BUDGET SUPPORT SPARKS DEBATE

The massive budget allocated by TÜBİTAK to this project in the fields of social sciences and theology has brought discussions regarding Türkiye's scientific development goals back to the agenda. In particular, how priorities are determined in scientific research and how the large budgets allocated to such projects are balanced with development goals in technological and engineering fields are being debated.

News Source: 12punto