dissipation, and wasted their lives on useless things. Furthermore, it has made those needy and lazy people ill. Through abuse and prodigality, it has been the means of spreading a hundred sorts of diseases."
During Bediuzzaman's stay in Istanbul, an English orientalist came to Istanbul University for the purpose of giving a series of lectures. Muhsin Alev, who was about to graduate from the Philosophy Department, and Ziya Arun, attended the first of them. The visiting orientalist proceeded to deny the Qur'anic verses stating there are "seven heavens", saying that today astronomy had made great advances and no seven "layers" have been found in the skies or in space; the verse was therefore contrary to science. Muhsin Alev and Ziya Arun went to Bediuzzaman and told him of this, whereat he compiled a letter on the subject, from pieces taken from the Risale-i Nur, and the following day they went to the university and distributed copies of it before the lecture. It was read to the orientalist. who as a result cut short his lecture that day and abandoned his remaining one's.
That year there were tremendous celebrations for the five hundredth anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul. These reached their climax on 29 May, with the Mehter bands, the traditional military bands of the Ottoman Armies, marching in traditional dress and playing original instruments from Topkapi at the city walls to Fatih. The population of Istanbul turned out to watch and follow them. The culmination was a ceremony at the great mosque in Fatih where Fatih Sultan Mehmet's tomb is situated. Here a platform had been erected outside the mosque and tiers of benches for the spectators. When Bediuzzaman arrived he was given a seat on the platform next to the Govemor of Istanbul, from where he followed the proceedings with real pleasure, particularly the Mehter bands.