from their work and business in the name of the country and nation. While the Old Said spent all his life for the sake of the happiness of the country and nation, how could the New Said be preoccupied with politics when he is seventy-five years old and has completely withdrawn from the world? This is your opinion too.
I have only one aim; it is this: at this time as I approach the grave, I hear the hooting of the Bolshevik owls in this country, which is a Muslim land. The sound is damaging the fundamentals of belief of the Islamic world. Making them lose their belief, it binds the people, and particularly the youth, to itself. Struggling against it with all my strength, I am calling the youth and all Muslims to believe. I am struggling against these unbelieving masses. I want to enter the Divine presence with this struggle of mine. This is all I do. As for those who prevent me from doing this, I am frightened that they are communists! For me it is a sacred aim to co-operate with the forces of religion who have embraced the struggle against these enemies of belief. Release me! Let me work to reform the youth, poisoned by communism, and for this country’s faith! Let me serve Divine unity!
Prisoner
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My Dear, Loyal Brothers!
The most effective remedy for the ghastly troubles and hopelessness of the world, especially at this time, especially those smitten by disaster and the Risale-i Nur students in particular, is to console and enhearten one another and strengthen one another’s morale, and like true, devoted brothers to pour balm on one another’s sorrows and afflictions and with true compassion, soothe one another’s troubled hearts. The true brotherhood between us which looks to the hereafter cannot sustain anyone feeling offended or taking sides. I have placed all my trust in you and am counting on you, and you know that I have decided to sacrifice happily not only my comfort, self-respect, and honour for you, but also my very spirit, and indeed, you can see this. I swear even that the torment caused these last eight days by the trifling incident of two leading Risale-i Nur students apparently avoiding and upsetting each other instead of consoling each other, has caused my spirit, heart, and mind to weep and cry out: “Alas! Alas! Mercy! Succour us O Most Merciful of the Merciful!