Al-Zuhayli says Gülen’s ideas hope of humanity

Islamic scholar Wahba Mustafa al-Zuhayli
Islamic scholar Wahba Mustafa al-Zuhayli


Date posted: October 16, 2010

Leading Islamic scholar Al-Zuhayli said the ideas of well-respected Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen stand as a hope for humanity.

Leading Islamic scholar Wahba Mustafa al-Zuhayli from Syria, a participant of the two-day “Prophet’s Path Symposium” held over the weekend, October 9and 10, 2010, said the ideas of well-respected Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen stand as a hope for humanity.

Defining Gülen as a person with a wide horizon, he said the fact that Gülen adheres to Islamic values and that he does not draw opposition is met with admiration from the Islamic world.

Noting that Gülen gives hope to the Islamic world with his teachings, he said Gülen has shown that the future of humanity is bright.

Gülen is a Turkish Islamic scholar well known for his teachings promoting mutual understanding and tolerance between cultures. One of the world’s most influential Islamic scholars, Gülen came out at the top of the list of “The World’s Top 20 Public Intellectuals” by the magazines Foreign Policy and Prospect in 2008. Now residing in the US, Gülen has pioneered educational activities in a number of countries along with efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the world. He has written nearly 50 books in Turkish, some of which have been translated into several languages.

Organized by the Yeni Ümit (New Hope) magazine and Hira magazine, the symposium took place at the Fırat Cultural Center (FKM) in İstanbul’s historic Çemberlitaş quarter. The two-day symposium drew in a large number of participants from both within and outside of Turkey.
Zuhayli-1Among the speakers at the symposium were Religious Affairs Directorate President Ali Bardakoğlu; the dean of Marmara University’s department of theology, Professor Raşit Küçük; Diyanet Foundation President Şerafettin Gölcük; a representative of the ulema (official theologians) of Morocco, Ahmed Abbadi; the grand mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Ali Gomaa; Syrian Islamic scholars Said Ramadan al-Buti and al-Zuhayli; and the renowned Turkish professor of Islamic law, Hayrettin Karaman.

Al-Zuhayli said he was impressed to see the majority of the symposium’s participants were young. Noting that the atmosphere at the symposium was a sign of love and loyalty to Prophet Muhammad, he said he found the event very successful.

Al-Zuhayli also praised Turkey’s recent moves in foreign policy. He said Turkey is improving its ties with the Islamic world and noted that he is also pleased to see the recently improved relations between Turkey and Syria. Al-Zuhayli added that Syria and Turkey are both Muslim countries and share the same goals. Stating that racism is one of today’s biggest problems, he said this problem can be eliminated by brotherhood and unity.

Expressing grief that Islam has a negative image in the Western world, he said Islam is in fact a religion that embraces everyone. He underlined that Islam’s connotation with violence was caused by mistakes made by some people. Stating that terror can by no means be linked to Islam, he recommended Muslims around the world share the beauty of Islam with everyone.

Original news published on Today’s Zaman on 14 October 2010, Thursday, http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-224327-100-al-zuhayli-says-gulens-ideas-hope-of-humanity.html

 


Related News

Acclaimed Russian academic praises Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen

Russian academic and intellectual Rostislav Ribakov praises Turkey’s prominent Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet Movement as ‘peace builders.’

An unshakable spiritual unity, unique to Hizmet Movement volunteers

Hizmet (Gulen Movement) was discussed by Turkish and American academics at a panel titled “Hizmet: A Transnational Social Movement with Participants in Turkey, the US, and around the World” at Georgetown University. The panel co-sponsored by Rumi Forum was moderated by Prof. John O.Vall, Georgetown University professor of Islamic History. Among the highlights, Prof. Thomas […]

Abrupt gov’t decision to revoke status of Kimse Yok Mu draws criticism

Turkey’s leading charity, Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There), had its right to collect charitable donations abruptly rescinded on Tuesday, in what seems to be an arbitrary decision made during a Cabinet meeting, prompting harsh reactions from volunteers, lawmakers of the opposition parties and representatives of other civil society groups.

Jews should speak up for Hizmet

When we think of Hizmet, Jews conscious of our own history either can say, “There but for the grace of God go we,” or we can think of Rabbi Hillel: “If we are only for ourselves, what are we? And if now, when?” 

Biden says US courts to decide on Gülen’s extradition

In a development that surprised many, the US State Department said on Tuesday that Turkey has formally requested the extradition of Gülen but not on issues related to the recent coup attempt, which Turkish leaders have accused him of inspiring.

Fethullah Gulen talking about Turkey’s failed coup: Responses to Philadelphia World Affairs Council

Right now, all critical voices are silenced in Turkey and only the voice of those in power is heard. Consequently both Turkish people and outside observers are misled. The misperception about the coup continues because there is only one voice. The government interprets everything according to their calculations. They are using this event to express the antipathy they already had against Hizmet movement. The coup attempt is serving to justify their plans to persecute Hizmet movement.

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

Senegal minister: Turkish schools’ students our hope for the future

Turkey dismisses another 330 academics, brings total to 7,316

Auto companies from 27 countries join TUSKON summit

Gulen`s Interview with the German Newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung

Government media runs riot in smear campaign against Hizmet

Proof of the ‘parallel state’

Fethullah Gülen calls for ‘bridges of peace’ in Eid al-Fitr remarks

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News