Bayram Yuksel
By Ersan AKYUZ
Bayram Yuksel was born in 1931 in the village of Kemerkaya. He entered Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s service at the age of 16. He was jailed along with Said Nursi in Afyon. He would continuously write Risale-i Nur in jail. He was taught how to write in the Quranic script by Ceylan Caliskan.
In 1951, he went to do his military service. It was in his destiny that he got chosen to fight in Korea. When he found out that he was going to be sent to Korea, he went next to Ustad and explained this to him. Said Nursi was pleased that Bayram Yuksel was going to Korea and told him the following: “I wanted to send a Nur student to Korea and Japan. I was thinking about sending either you or Ceylan. You need to go to Korea and fight against the denial of Allah.” Ustad then gave his Jawshan to Bayram Yuksel and said: “We are under the guidance of Allah. Don’t worry even a little bit. Allah is going to help you.” Ustad then gave the Damascus Sermon and 6 other Treatises to give to the Japanese Commander.
Even though it was hard to go to Japan at the time, Bayram Yuksel managed to go to Japan but found out that the Japanese commander had died a couple of years ago. He gave the books to the relevant authorities and after the war was over he returned to Turkey. Ustad was waiting for him and Bayram Yuksel continued to serve Bediuzzaman Said Nursi with his military clothes until they were worn out.
Bayram Yuksel was a friendly, sincere man who was willing to sacrifice anything for the Nur service. He was involved in Bediuzzaman’s personal service. He would bring him water and prepare his meals. After Ustad’s death, he continued serving the Risale-i Nur. On the 19th of November in 1997, Bayram Yuksel’s life in this world came to an end by a car accident. His grave is in Barla, Isparta.