A Hizmet Approach to Rooting out Violent Extremism


Date posted: May 22, 2015

The Centre for Hizmet Studies is delighted to launch its latest report titled ‘A Hizmet Approach to Rooting out Violent Extremism’ by Ozcan Keles and Ismail Mesut Sezgin. This is the second publication in the ‘thought and practice’ series, the first being ‘Gulen on Dialogue’. The series aims both to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Hizmet’s thought ad praxis on significant contemporary issues such as tackling violent extremism, the Kurdish issue or political Islam.

This report targets researchers, policy makers and media interested in devising policies and strategies to prevent violent extremism. Please see below for the reports ‘Executive Summary’. The report can be downloaded in full for free from the link below.

Executive Summary

  • Hizmet is an Islamically-inspired grassroots civil society movement with a presence in over 160 countries and whose core teachings, practice and refutations of violent extremism originate from its robust interpretation of the Qur’an and Sunna. Therefore, the question of what Hizmet thinks about, and how it responds to, violent extremism is most relevant to those concerned with this issue.
  • Part one of this publication explores Hizmet’s theological refutations of violent extremism which claim an Islamic justification. Part two explores Hizmet’s core teachings, which underpin its values and practice and act as a positive counter-narrative undermining violent extremist ideology in the process. Part three covers the channels and conveyors through which Hizmet popularises that counter-narrative among the wider Muslim public. The conclusion draws these three parts together demonstrating how they undermine violent extremist ideology and tackle some of its root causes. Finally, the publication concludes with some recommendations for Hizmet and other stakeholders.
  • Hizmet does not attempt to defeat violent extremist ideology or practice by meeting it head on. Rather, the core Islamic teachings that underpin its values and activism negate violent extremist ideology, mindset and practice as a natural by-product and default outcome of its positive work. Those core teachings are popularised among the wider public through a series of channels and practices acting as conveyors. Hizmet’s core teachings and the values and activism they underpin are diametrically opposed to and mutually exclusive with those associated with violent extremism; therefore, the stronger one grows, the weaker the other becomes. Accordingly, the goal of defeating extremism is made to ensue without being directly and aggressively pursued, ensuring it avoids the pitfalls associated with being reactive – hence the term deradicalisation by default.
  • The views of the Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen on violent extremism and terrorism are not conjunctural but authentic and fundamental. His condemnation of such acts has been unequivocal, consistent and also proactive as he and Hizmet collectively develop and disseminate a positive counter-narrative undermining violent extremist ideology and worldview. The publication looks at Gülen’s foundational views for rejecting violent extremism as well exploring his views on the more controversial and specific debates and issues on the topic, including groups declaring war, the legitimacy of targeting innocent civilians, suicide attacks, Islamic state, and the dichotomous worldview of dar al-harb and dar al-Islam.
  • The report concludes by offering three recommendations to Hizmet and other stakeholders on how best to optimise Hizmet’s approach to rooting out violent extremism, noting that it is not only the content of the argument that is made but also the emotional packaging and grooming with which it is presented that is convincing to new recruits and that Hizmet’s theology and practice has the advantage of addressing both facets together.

To download the report in full please click here.

Source: The Centre for Hizmet Studies , May 6, 2014


Related News

Nepalese surprised at Turkish teachers staying to help after earthquake

A group of Nepalese people, who were offered shelter at Meridian Turkish schools in the country after last Saturday’s devastating earthquake in the country, said on Wednesday that they were surprised and thankful that Turkish teachers did not leave after the earthquake occurred, unlike many other non-Nepalese nationals, according to a report by the Cihan news agency.

New Book – “Beginnings and Endings: Fethullah Gülen’s Vision for Today’s World”

Instead of apocalyptic visions of clashing religions and civilizations, Gülen envisions eschatological fulfillment of the world, and thus meets the reader as a man of devout and informed hope. This seminal hope manifests itself in the determined actions of the committed men and women working to end ignorance, poverty, and disunity in todays world.

GYV highlights ‘Turkish dream’ at its traditional iftar

The traditional iftar by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) was held at the İstanbul Hilton Bosporus Hotel on Tuesday night this year under the theme “The Turkey of our dreams.”

Nigerian Turkish Foundation donates educational materials to Lagos schools

Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye has restated the need for individuals and private organizations to partner with the State government in order to raise the standard of education in the State.

Rep. Andy Fleischmann named ” Statesman of the year” by Peace Advocacy Group

State Representative Andy Fleischmann (D-West Hartford) was proud to receive the “Statesman of the Year Award” for his contributions to education and environmental causes at the 5th Annual Friendship Dinner and Awards Ceremonies held in Hartford on March 26th.

Blanket Drive for Syrian Refugees a Great Success

Paxton Companies estimates 25,000 blankets have been donated and Embrace Relief reports $100,000 in funds have been donated to this cause. Over the past two years more than 40,000 blankets have been collected and $115,000 in funds has been donated. Donations raised for this program will help purchase blankets and supplies in Turkey for the refugees.

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

Journalists and Writers Foundation in Rwanda for Global Peacemakers Conference

Who was behind the Turkish Coup: Sufi Islamic Scholar Fathullah Gülen or the Regime itself?

Erdogan may keep winning, but it wont’ do Turkey any good

Religious communities and ISIL

Fethullah Gülen Offers Antidote For Terror

I came to Nigeria with just a piece of luggage –Turkish International Colleges foundation coordinator

‘Power struggle with Gulen movement weakens Erdogan’

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News