Associate Professor Salih Yucel

Associate Professor Salih Yucel completed his Bachelor of Islamic Theology – a five-year program and equivalent to undergraduate and Masters Degree – at the University of Ankara in 1982. He undertook various ecclesiastical roles for ten years for the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Turkey. Subsequent to attaining his Australian permanent-resident status, he completed Master of Theology at the University of Sydney in 1996. He continued his postgraduate studies in United States and completed his doctorate at Boston University in 2007. His doctoral research was on "The Effect of Prayer on Muslim Patients Well-being"

Salih also worked as a Muslim Chaplain at Harvard Medical School's hospitals for seven years. After ten years in the United States, he returned to Australia in 2007.  A/Prof. Yucel worked as lecturer and senior lecturer at Centre for Religious Studies at Monash University between  2008-2014. Currently he teaches at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University in Sydney. He is also Provisional CPE Supervisor.

He is author of four books, co-author of one book and number of articles and book chapters.

Awards

• 2009 – Dean’s Commendation for Teaching Excellence, Monash University, Melbourne
• 2010 – Dean’s Commendation for Teaching Excellence, Monash University, Melbourne
• 2011- Dean’s Commendation for Teaching Excellence, Monash University, Melbourne
• 2013- Twenty Years in Community Service Award, Galaxy Foundation, NSW
• 2018- Faculty of Arts and Education, CSU, Team Award for the students’ satisfaction in 2017

Work Experience

A-Academic

Associate Professor, Lecturer, Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Charles Sturt University, Sydney, January 2015 – present (0.6)

Associate Professor, Lecturer (0.4) at Australian Catholic University, April 2017-present

Associate Professor, Course Director, Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Charles Sturt University, Sydney January 2015- August 2016

Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies, January 2012-2014, Monash University, Melbourne

Lecturer in Islamic Studies, January 2008- December 2011, Monash University, Melbourne

Research Fellow, Durham University, UK, July- November, 2013

Visiting Scholar, State Islamic University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, February- June , 2018

B-Non-Academic

Imam: Redfern Mosque, Sydney, 1987-1992

Volunteer Muslim Chaplain, Randwick Hospital, Westmead Hospital, Sydney (1990-1997)

Muslim Chaplain, NSW Corrective Services, Sydney, 1991-1997

Volunteer Muslim Chaplain, Mt Sinai Hospital, New York,1999-2000

Muslim Chaplain, Brigham and Women Hospital, (0.8) Boston,(Harvard Medical School’s health institution) 2001-2007

Muslim Chaplain, Boston Children Hospital, Boston (part-time) (Harvard Medical School’s health institution) 2006-2007

Muslim Chaplain. Plymouth Correctional Centre, MA, USA (4 hours per week) 2006-2007

Volunteer Muslim Chaplain, Monash Medical Centre, 2010-2014

Language Skill

• Native language: Turkish
• Fluent in: English, Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, Kurdish
• Intermediate Persian

Publications

Books

• Salih Yucel, A Life in Tears: A Life in Tears: Tughra Books, 2017
• Salih Yucel & Ismail Albayrak "The Art of Coexistence: Pioneering Role of Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet Movement" Tughra Books,, New Jersey, 2014
• Islamofobya: Batida Depresen Hastalik (in Turkish) Nun Yayinlari, Istanbul, 2012
• The Struggle of Ibrahim: Biography of an Australian Muslim, Tughra Books, New Jersey,  2010
• Prayer and Healing in Islam, Tughra Books, New Jersey, 2010

Edited Book/s

• Muslim Identity Formation in Religiously Diverse Societies,  Editor(s): Derya Iner, Salih Yucel, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015
• Guest Editor, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies, December 2018

Book Chapters

• Derya Iner & Salih Yucel, Identifying Identity in "Muslim Identity Formation in Religiously Diverse Societies,"  Editor(s): Derya Iner, Salih Yucel, Cambridge Scholars Publication,  2015 p. 19-36
• "Two Forgotten Principles of Da'wah: Istighna and Ithar and the Hizmet Movement" in The Art of Coexistence: Pioneering Role of Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet Movement, Tugrah Books, New Jersey, 2014
• " Islamic Radicalism  and Fethullah Gülen's Response" in The Art of Coexistence: Pioneering Role of Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet Movement, Tughra Books, New Jersey, 2014

Refereed Articles

• Sayyid Ibrahim Dellal,: An analysis of untold stories of a “living history’, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies, v 3, Issue 3, 2018
• Said Alakloby & Salih Yucel Are Arabic Curriculum and Textbooks adequate? A Critical Analysis of Arabic Teaching in Five Islamic Primary Schools in Sydney, Journal of American Academic Research, Volume 6, Issue 4, 2018
• An Islamic Perspective of Leadership: Said Nursi and Sayyidhood Leadership, Transcendent Philosophy V.19, Issue 30 , 2018
• Serving Islam peacefully during the aggression and Said Nursi’s kalamization of positive action for social harmony, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies, v 3, Issue 2, 2018)
• An Islamic Perspective of the Natural Environment and Animals: Said Nursi and his Renewalist Philosophy, Umran: International Journal of Islamic and Civilisational Studies, vol. 5, no.1 (2018) pp. 55-69
• Rumi: The Marriage of Heart and Mind in the Service of Education, Transcendent Philosophy, V 18 no:29, 2017 pp; 141-161
• Are faith based programs effective in reducing recidivism? A case study of Muslim parolees in NSW, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies, v. 2, Issue 3,(2017) pp 1-19
• Is Islam an obstacle to progress in the modern world? The responses and analysis of Said Nursi, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies, v. 2, Issue 1,(2017) 59-75
• Salih Yucel &Manal Etri , Halal Certification and Islamophobia: A Critical Analysis of Submissions Regarding the Review of Third Party Certification of Food in Australia Inquiry, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies, issue 1, (2016) 1-22.
• Salih Yucel & Mohd Abd Rahman Rosmizi,  The Mujaddid of His Age: Al-Ghazali And His Inner Spiritual Journey, Umran: International Journal of Islamic and Civilizational Studies, vol.3, no.2 (2016) 01-13.
• Salih Yucel & Mohd Abd Rahman Rosmizi, Faith and Good Deeds in Sunnite Schools of Thought and Deviated Sects: Revisiting the notion of "Sunnite Murji'ites" to the Hanafites, Al-Abqari Journal, V 7, 2016 p 21-46.
• Do Muslims see Australia as their Homeland? The Notion of watan al-asli and watan al-sukna in Islam, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs,Volume 35, Issue 2, 2015, pp 191-2.
• Positive thinking and action in Islam: Case studies from the Sirah of Prophet Muhammad, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol. 5 No. 1, 2015,pp 223-23.
• "The notion of "Husnu'l Zann" or positive thinking in Islam: A Medieval perspective"  in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol. 4 No. 7, 2014,pp 101-112, Center for Promoting Ideas, Los Angeles, USA.
• Muslim Christian Dialogue: Nostra Aetate and Fethullah Gulen's Philosophy of Dialogue,Australian eJournal of Theology 20.3 (December 2013) pp 197-206.
• "The spirit of Hasan in Gulen's educational philosophy," Islamic Quarterly [P], vol 56, issue 3, 2012, London, pp. 281-298.
• Institutionalisation of Muslim-Christian dialogue: Nostra Aetate and Fethullah Gulen's vision, Islamic Quarterly [P], vol. 55, issue 4, 2012 London,pp. 259-274.
• "Is Islam part of the problem or solution: An Australian immigrant experience", Turkish Journal of Politics, Number 2 volume 1, Summer, 2011, Istanbul, pp 99-108.
• "Said Nursi's approach to the environment: A spiritual view on the book of universe," Quarterly Insights (4) 2009, Islamabad, Pakistan, p 79-96.
• "Fethullah Gulen: A Spiritual Leader in a Global Islamic Context" Journal of Religion and Society, Volume 12, 2010, USA.
• "Healing in the Qur'an and Sunnah," Journal of Academic Studies, V. 11 Number 40, July 2009, Istanbul.

Non-Refereed Articles

• "The necessity for dialogue", Fountain Magazine January-March 2007.
• "Islam and Muslims in America before Columbus", Fountain Magazine, issue 58, April-June 2007.
• "Ramadan and its Social Dimension", Today's Zaman, (English version of Turkish daily newspaper), September 2, 2008.
• "Ermeni Diasporasive Turkiyenin Yumusak Gucu" (The Armenian Diaspora and Turkey's Soft Power), Zaman Gazetesi (Turkish daily newspaper), 18 October, 2009.

• "Minare Yasagi ve Neo Con Oryantalizm," (Banning Minaret and Neo Conservative Orientalism), Star Gazetesi (Turkish daily newspaper), 21 December, 2009.

Refereed Presentations

• Theologisation of Volunteerism: An Islamic Perspective, at 12th International RAIS Conference at Princeton University, April 3-4 2019
• Are online fatwas on organ donation credible? A critical analysis of fifty fatwas,at Second International Organ Donation Conference at the University of Wester Sydney, November  22-23, 2018
• Serving Islam peacefully during the aggression and Said Nursi’s kalamization of positive action for social harmony, State Islamic University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 23 March,2018
• "The Theology of the Wounded Mentality's Reactionary Response and the Analysis of Three Cases in Sidney" at Third Australasia  Conference on Islam ““Refuting the  theological Foundation of violent extremism and radicalisation” conference at Deakin University, October 13-14, 2016
• Rumi: The Marriage of Heart and Mind in the Service of Education, Ilm: Science, Religion, and Art in Islam Conference 2016, Adelaide University , July 14-15, 2016
• Fear as the common denominator between radicals and Islamophobes: diagnosis as well as solutions for human conflict from a theological angle (Together with Dr Mahsheed Ansari) , Second Australasian Conference On Islam " Radicalisation and Islamophobia:  Roots, Relationships and Implications in Religiously Diverse Societies,  November 30- December 1, 2015, Charles Sturt University, Sydney, Australia
• "Character Building and Values Education: The Fethullah Gulen Model", Fatih University, Istanbul, November 24, 2013.
• "Is Islam an obstacle for progress? A critical approach of Said Nursi", International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, December 11-12, 2012.
• "The Language of Tolerance: An Islamic Perspective" at International Conference on Social Science in Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities, at Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Sciences and Technology, Karachi, December 1, 2012.
• "Two Forgotten Principles of Da'wah: Istighna and Ithar and the Hizmet Movement", The University of Lahore, 27 November, 2012.
• "Character Building and Values Education: The FethullahGulen Model", at The Ideal Human and Ideal Society in the Thoughts of M. FethullahGulen international conference, University of Punjab, 21-22 November, 2012.
• "Radical reactions against aggression and Gulen's language of cooperation" at the Ethics in a Multifaith Society: Muslims and Christians in Dialogue conference  at Australian Catholic University,22-23 November 2011.
• "Islam and Ecology: Said Nursi's holistic approach to the book of universe "at the Forum on Religion and Ecology, Monash University, October 28, 2011.
• "Do Muslims see Australia as their home? The notion of watan al-sukna in Islam", at the 'Enrichment of a socially inclusive society: challenges and solutions' conference at Charles Sturt University, Canberra, July 12, 2011.
• "Spiritual Role Models in FethullahGulen's Educational Philosophy", The significance of education for the future: The Gulen model of education conference, October 19-22, 2010 at The State Islamic University, Jakarta.
• "Is Islam part of the Problem or Solution: An Australian Immigrant Experience, Japanese Society encounters Islam conference at Kogakuin University, Tokyo 1-2 October, 2010.
• "Death, dying and the Islamic perspective" at the conference on "The Role of Faith in Palliative Care: On death and dying", Australian Catholic University, April 7-9, 2010.
• "FethullahGulen and the Concept of Otherness", at the Religion and Otherness conference, Monash University, Sunway Campus in Malaysia, 10 June, 2009.
• "Institutionalising of Muslim-Christian Dialogue: Nostra Aetate and FethullahGülen's Vision" "From Dialogue to Collaboration: The Vision of Fethullah Gülen and Muslim-Christian Relations Conference", organised by Monash University, Australian Catholic University and Australian Intercultural Society, 15-16 July, 2009.
• "Fethullah Gülen: Spiritual Leader in a Global Islamic Context," at the Australasian Political Studies Association (APSA) Annual Conference, hosted by Macquarie. University, Department of Modern History, Politics, International Relations and Security, 28-29 September, 2009.
• "Aussie Muslims: Facts and Challenges," La Trobe University, 9 November, 2009.
• "Australia Diverse Cultures and Multifaith Communities: Fethullah Gulen's Vision and Building Bridges Projects,"at the Parliament of World Religions, 6-9 December, Melbourne, 2009.
• "The Gulen Movement's Global Peace and Social Reconciliation Vision and Projects: Lessons Learned from the US," at the Parliament of World Religions, 6-9 December, Melbourne, 2009.
• "Correlation between religion and the Muslim family in Australia", at the Religion and Governing the Family Conference, Monash University, August 14, 2008.

Research & Grants

AIS salary support: $324000 , Monash University 2008-2014

CSU PAcT  Indigenous research grant: $6150

Postgraduate Supervision

PhD Candidates currently being supervised

• Sawsan Zadeh, Can Muslim healthcare professionals have a role in counteracting Islamophobia within Australian society through contact with their patients? Charles Sturt University
• David Sneddon, A comprehensive exploration of history faith based micro meso and macro dialogue between Muslims and non Muslims in Australia prior to 9/11, Australian Catholic University
• Mursal Farman, Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar, a reformer in the Period of Civil Wars  or fitan, his views at that time and its applicability in today's Muslim World, Australian Catholic University
• Mir Sadiq Ansari, Is there scope for matn criticism, independent of the strength of the isnad, particularly when there is a conflict with the 'aql or reason? (CSU).
• Isa Islam: 'Can the Nursian philosophy of Self-Annihilation constitute a realistic, practical religious choice for the contemporary Islamic Ummah (community) living as a minority in secular democracies and accused of non-assimilation?' (CSU).
• Atilla Ergi: Destiny and Human Free will: can they co-exist? (CSU).
• Yahya Safi:Terms and Conditions of Marriage in Islamic Jurisprudence: A Comparative Study (CSU).

PhD Candidates currently being co-supervised

• Haybatullah Abouzeid: A critical analysis of the representation of Islam in the 21stcentury in the work of Bernard Lewis and John Esposito (Monash University)
• Ahmet Polat: 'Islamic Philanthropy and Civic Society Activism: The Differences between the Secular Schools Associated with the Gulen Movement and Islamic Schools in the Secular States'.
• Shaheen White, To what extent does the transnational nature of the ulama shape the religious authority of Australia's Muslim clerics? (Deakin University).

Master

• Momina Naveed, Deobandi and Nur Movement’s Women in Australia: A Critical Analysis of Their Social and Religious Activities, Charles Sturt University

Completed

• Mohd Rosmizi Abd Rahman, The concept of good deeds according to Augustine and Al-Ghazali (completed).
• Mark Antony Stone, (Neither Shall They Grieve: Contemporary Sufism, Universalism and Inter-Religious Understanding) (completed). 
• Sureyya Cicek: ' A study of the internal growth dynamics of the Gulen movement and its dialogical engagement with non-Muslim communities' (completed).
• Mahsheed Ansari: 'Prophethood and Muhammed according to to Mawlana Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) and Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1877-1960)' (completed).
• Eva Van Den Berg:  Language of the Heart (completed).