Fethullah Gulen Statement Accepting the 2015 Gandhi King Ikeda Peace Award

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen was given the 2015 Gandhi King Ikeda Peace Award during a ceremony held in Atlanta on Thursday. (Photo: Cihan)
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen was given the 2015 Gandhi King Ikeda Peace Award during a ceremony held in Atlanta on Thursday. (Photo: Cihan)


Date posted: April 10, 2015

“I am humbled by the kindness of the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College to consider me as a recipient of the prestigious 2015 Gandhi King Ikeda Peace Award.

I can only accept this award on behalf of the participants of the Hizmet movement who devoted themselves to serving fellow humans without expecting anything in return. Educators who served thousands of miles away from their homes near arctic circle in sub-freezing temperatures; those who continued to keep their schools open in northern Iraq despite the threat of ISIS occupation; those in Nigeria and Afghanistan who provide educational opportunities to girls; doctors, nurses and humanitarian relief workers who served in Somalia and Sudan under dire conditions; and entrepreneurs who compete in donating to charitable causes despite facing economic hardship themselves. These devotees of love who come from different nations, religions, and ethnic backgrounds are the ones whose work is recognized with this award.

They are the ones who seek happiness in the happiness of others. What unites them and the pioneers of human rights in Asia, in Africa, in the United States, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and all around the world is their commitment to humanity. To hold every human as dignified and to be committed to the dignity of every human is a sign of respect for their Creator.

I have always prayed to God that He would include me among these blessed individuals but never considered myself as the leader of any of them. You were kind enough to recognize their efforts and sacrifices and I simply accept this award on their behalf.

My health doesn’t allow me to join you on this meaningful occasion. But for spirits united around high human values, physical proximity is never needed for a conversation. Humbled to be included among those whose work is recognized through this award, I thank the organizing committee for their consideration.”

About Alliance for Shared Values

Alliance for Shared Values is a non-profit that serves as a voice for dialogue organizations affiliated with Hizmet in the U.S. (also known as Gulen movement). The Alliance serves as a central source of information on Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet. For more information, please visit www.afsv.org.

Source: Alliance for Shared Values , April 9, 2015


Related News

The Muslim Way to React

One book, one contest, one excitement… An interesting campaign was organized in India, in order to better understand the messages from Prophet Muhammad, the messages which transcend time and space. 80 thousand Muslims in India read the book ‘The Infinite Light’, written by Fethullah Gulen, and were tested over the book. Very well, but what was […]

‘Gulen Movement is a civil society movement, rather than a religious one’

University of Utah professor of political science Hakan Yavuz, Ph.D, gave a lecture followed by a conversation on his latest book “Toward an Islamic Enlightenment: The Gulen Movement“. At the lecture hosted by Rumi Forum Washington D.C., Yavuz argued that the Gulen Movement should not be considered a religious movement, rather, a civil society movement. He […]

Can Washington Ever Welcome a Nonviolent Muslim?

Michael Shank June 6, 2012 CBS News’ 60 Minutes recently produced a show about Turkish Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen, spurred by concern about the so-called Hizmet movement’s (aka Gulen movement) alleged connection to a growing network of high performing and nationally ranked charter schools in the U.S. These schools rank in Newsweek’s top ten miracle schools in America and have […]

Ivory Coast authorities call on Kimse Yok Mu for more aid

Authorities of Cocody ve Port-Bouët, two municipalities in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s capital of business, hailed Kimse Yok Mu for its aid efforts.

Family, friends losing hope as Calgary imam arrested in Turkey remains imprisoned

For a year, Calgary imam Davud Hanci has spent most of his days in solitary confinement in Turkey, accused of being a terrorist linked to failed 2016 coup attempt. “They’re just holding him there and they don’t want to release him because they don’t have any real evidence,” said Malik Muradov, executive director of Calgary’s Intercultural Dialogue Institute and a friend of Hanci.

NTIC Foundation: Touching lives in Nigeria

Foreign capital typically finds its place among the most promising market indicators, as transnational investors constantly seek maximum returns on their investments. But for the First Surat Group Company, it is obviously not all about the bottom line.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Gülen’s lawyer: Pro-gov’t columnist’s claims on religious directorate ‘disgusting scenario’

3rd Dialogue & Peace Iftar Dinner

Bishop Chane: Gülen one of the greatest scholars

Pakistani Education Minister hails Turkish schools

What does religion have to do with corruption?

Abduction of Kacmaz Family – The dark side

Nigeria wants more Turkish schools to increase quality of education

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News