NÛN High School Bids Farewell to the Class of 2026

We bid farewell to our students upon the successful completion of their five-year educational journey at NÛN High School. They are now stepping into a new chapter of their lives. Throughout their journey at NÛN Schools, our students have been nurtured with a holistic balance of intellect, heart, body, and will. Our graduates now move forward as “seekers of truth,” ready to transform the goodness within them into meaningful action.

As part of our deeply rooted tradition, NÛN High School associates each graduating class with a symbolic bird, inspired by Ferîdüddin Attar’s renowned Sufi masterpiece The Conference of the Birds (Mantiqu’t-Tayr). For the Class of 2026, the owl was chosen as this year’s symbol. Representing wisdom, contemplation, and dignified composure, the owl reflects our hope that our students will approach life with a perspective that goes beyond what is immediately visible.

The ceremony began with a meaningful passing of the trust to the next generation, inspired by Sezai Karakoç’s renowned words: “A generation must be born who seeks truth through inquiry rather than denial.” In this moment, our graduates entrusted the Qur’an, the Turkish flag, and the core values of NÛN to the next class, marking a continuation of responsibility and purpose, with their hearts bound to their minds. Following the recitation of the Qur’an, NÛN High School Principal, Ahmet Elmas, addressed the guests, expressing his pride and gratitude in witnessing the growth of a generation that thinks critically while guided by conscience and acts with respect and sensitivity.

Chair of the Board of the NÛN Foundation for Education and Culture, Dr. Esra Albayrak, also addressed the graduates. Referring to the guiding figure of the “hoopoe” in The Conference of the Birds, she emphasized that the true treasure lies within the individual, contributing to the formation of character and moral integrity. She called for graduates to embody a principled and independent stance, carrying the deep intellectual heritage of our civilization into the wider world, stating:

“You are the descendants of an ancestor historically renowned as Cihan-Penâh—the sanctuary of the world—for rushing to the aid of the oppressed during famines, disasters, and tyranny, without discriminating based on language, religion, race, gender, or age. You are the heirs of a civilization that founded hospitals to heal migrating storks that fell ill on their journey. Look upon today’s paper tigers with this very self-confidence. For you are the polestars of the Century of Türkiye.”

In the following hours, graduates chosen for embodying NÛN values through their academic dedication, social awareness, and moral maturity were presented with the traditional “Tuba Tree” symbolic gifts, which represent a virtuous life in this life and the hereafter. The awards were presented by Member of the Board, Prof. Dr. Tayfun Kındap, and the Founder of the Foundation, Berat Albayrak. Following the award ceremony, the student representative addressed the audience on behalf of the graduating class, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the intellectual depth and independent thinking cultivated under the NÛN educational framework.

The ceremony's honorary guest was Ahmet Özhan, one of the most distinguished figures of our cultural and musical heritage. His speech, characterized by grace, wisdom, and depth, deeply resonated with both the hearts and minds of the audience. This was followed by emotional moments as commemorative videos prepared by families, the NÛN community, and the Alumni Association were presented.

During the diploma ceremony, graduates were also presented with miniature replicas symbolizing NÛN Schools and their futuwwa certificates—documents embodying ethical principles they will carry throughout their lives. One of the most powerful messages of the ceremony, also inscribed on the diplomas, was: “Throughout history’s enduring struggle between good and evil, we see in you the courage and determination to stand with the good and against falsehood, through your knowledge, wisdom, and pen.” The ceremony concluded with a graduation prayer led by Fatih Nida Üye, followed by a symbolic moment in which students released doves into the sky. This tradition symbolizes their journey as seekers of truth, much like the Simurgh in Attar’s allegory. This final, symbolic moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for them to become voices of justice and stewards of a rich intellectual heritage.

As NÛN Schools, we congratulate each of our graduates. They have been nurtured with respect, recognizing their unique talents and potential. We firmly believe that our youth, grounded in strong human values, will add meaning to every life they touch. We wish them success and fulfillment in the journeys ahead.