From Anatolia to the World: Universal Justice in the Words of Yunus Emre

The world today is facing deep crises: wars, polarization, climate injustice, social inequality… In the midst of these fractures, the need for a universal language, a common human ground, and a unifying reason has never been greater. This need does not originate solely in the East or West — it arises from the very essence of humanity.

And at this very point, a voice rises from 13th-century Anatolia: Yunus Emre.

“We love the created for the sake of the Creator.”— Yunus Emre

This line is not merely religious — it is profoundly human. At its core, it carries a deep sense of universal equality based on human dignity.Just like Atatürk’s timeless principle: “Peace at home, peace in the world” — a call for peace beyond nations, beliefs, and identities.

A Bridge Between Secularism and Universal Conscience

Yunus Emre’s understanding of justice rises not from state authority, but from the conscience of the people. Today, secularism is not just about separating religion and state; it’s about constructing a neutral and just space for coexistence.

In this context, Yunus speaks not from dogma, but from conscience. Just as Atatürk envisioned a republic built on reason, science, and the will of the people.

Where Enlightenment and Anatolian Wisdom Converge

Thinkers and leaders around the world have echoed this shared human vision:

• Albert Einstein: “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”

• Bertrand Russell: “A rationally organized society can achieve justice.”

• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “The truest guide in life is science.”

Yunus Emre’s verse —

“True knowledge is knowing yourself” —goes beyond spirituality; it speaks of an ethical enlightenment, free from dogma, grounded in the dignity of thought and the integrity of being.

Yunus Emre and a Global Sense of Citizenship

From Europe to Asia, from the Americas to Africa, many societies today are searching for a new language of social peace.Yunus Emre offers an inclusive ethics of citizenship that supports this effort:

• A vision that accepts people not for their beliefs, but for their humanity

• A language that unites rather than divides

• A commitment to equality in action, not just in words

A Roadmap for the Modern World

“I did not come to fight;My path is love,” said Yunus.

His goal was not to spread a doctrine, but to build social harmony through language and emotion.

In this sense, his message becomes a poetic precursor to Atatürk’s vision: the dream of a modern society of free and equal citizens, guided by knowledge and grounded in peace.

Note from me:

"The words of Yunus Emre are not just echoes of the past — they carry the potential for a future built on secular, universal values. Anyone dreaming of a peaceful, egalitarian, and rational society will find traces of Yunus in their language."