Gülen has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Leeds Metropolitan University

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.


Date posted: September 29, 2010

Turkish Muslim scholar, educator and peace activist, M. Fethullah Gülen, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Leeds Metropolitan at the University’s Summer Graduation celebrations for his contribution to education, peace making and intercultural dialogue.

Through his teachings and work, Fethullah Gülen has initiated and inspired a transnational civil society movement to invest in education and dialogue which aims to contribute towards durable peace and greater understanding. Gülen has developed a readership and following amongst those of other backgrounds, religions and no religion, demonstrating that his teachings and work are received as universal.

Gülen, rooted in mainstream Islam, offers an inclusive and human-centred reading of Islam. He is committed to dialogue, the serving of all humanity and condemning any and every form of violence and terrorism that seeks to divide humankind.

Ozcan Keles, Executive Director of the Dialogue Society charity, accepted the honorary doctorate in Education on Gülen’s behalf from the University’s Innovation North Faculty. M. Fethullah Gülen lives in Pennsylvania, USA.

Click here to read the story on the University’s web page.


Related News

Gülen’s lawyers slam Erdoğan’s ‘slanderous’ unsolved murders remarks

The lawyers of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen have denounced recent statements by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in which he held the Hizmet movement responsible for some unsolved murders in Turkey.

Alevi leader Kenanoğlu: Discrimination against Alevis increased in 2013

It must be realized that religion is a matter for individual citizens. It is likely that the Gülen community will face restrictions and pressure from the government [as the AK Party government’s supporters have accused the Gülen movement of discrediting a number of ministers and their relatives in relation to a recent investigation into alleged bribery in public tenders, which saw the sons of three Cabinet ministers taken into custody alongside construction moguls and bureaucrats]. What we have been defending are universal rights, including the freedom of religion and belief. If these can be achieved, everybody will benefit from them, not just the Alevi community.

Turkish man in Netherlands sentenced for threatening Erdogan critic

O.E., a 19-year-old supporter of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), who threatened to kill M.D. (32), a sympathizer of the Gülen movement who live in the Netherlands’ Tilburg city was sentenced by a Dutch court.

Did Erdogan STAGE the coup?

‘Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not force,” Gulen said. “I pray to God for Turkey, for Turkish citizens, and for all those currently in Turkey that this situation is resolved peacefully and quickly.’ Gulen sharply rejected any responsibility: ‘As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt.

They think we are terrorists, they think we are evil

Another woman, a former Turkish journalist before the government shut down papers that spoke out against it, said: “I feel like my voice has been taken. People don’t feel safe in London, even going shopping, because we don’t know what radicals will do.”

Turkish Syriac Catholic patriarch launches ‘Fruits of Dialogue’

“Diyaloğun Meyveleri” (Fruits of Dialogue), a book by Deputy Patriarch of the Turkish Syriac Catholic Church Yusuf Sağ, was launched at a reception held at Taksim Green Park Hotel in İstanbul on Tuesday night. Delivering a speech at the event, Bartholomew praised the role of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen in promoting dialogue among different faiths.

Latest News

Sacramento leaders gather for Iftar dinner in celebration of Ramadan

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

In Case You Missed It

Prominent figures gather together at GYV iftar dinner in Istanbul

Wife dies of heart attack on way to prison to visit husband in jail

Fortunately, we have not closed Gülen schools

African firms signal increased trade at TUSKON meeting

Alleged Hizmet link in Hablemitoğlu murder a lie, says widow

Gaza group: Oppression targeting Kimse Yok Mu harms needy the most

Turkish nationals in South Africa fear abductions

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News