Gülen’s ideas address the entire world


Date posted: October 19, 2010

We shouldn’t be surprised at Fethullah Gülen’s success in a poll of the top public intellectuals. He leads a truly global movement, Gulen movement. This article makes reference to the fact that Gulen was chosen Top Intellectual of the World in 2008.

Bulent Kenes

The ideas of Fethullah Gülen, the most discussed figure of Turkey for decades now, have become important topics in the intellectual circles of the world in recent years. Having millions of followers worldwide in addition to those in his own country, Gülen has risen to prominence with his statements and actions that shatter the twisted perception of Islam into a thousand pieces.

Attracting attention with his arguments for inter-religious dialogue and tolerance at a time when Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilisations” has such currency, Gülen has not stayed at the level of creating ideas, but has created a practical platform on which these ideas can be carried out. This quality of his makes him one of the leading intellectuals of the world as well as one the greatest men of action.

He has not rested content with writing about his approaches. These can be roughly summarised as living together in peace; appreciating differences; accepting everybody as they are and bringing about inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance, which he developed to counter the theses of inter-religious and intercultural clashes. For the realisation of his ideals, he has initiated a civil voluntary movement (aka Hizmet movement). Today Fethullah Gülen is able to easily mobilise his followers, estimated at millions, who are craving to accomplish his ideal of transforming the world into an oasis of peace.

Retaining a strong belief that creating a peaceful world is possible through education and having dedicated his life to this cause, Gülen advises all his followers to dedicate all their physical strength and spiritual energy to education. And in return, his followers, who do not see in his thoughts and statements a single word that could be averse to the good of humanity, are making considerable efforts in this direction. As a result of these efforts, the younger generation is learning the ways of living together in hundreds of schools opened by Turkish entrepreneurs in over 110 countries of the world dominated by different religions, languages and cultures.

The children of Bosnians and Serbs, Kurds and Turkomans, Russians and Chechens and Hindus and Muslims who have fought one another, peacefully study in the same classrooms in these schools.

Gülen has proved through his thoughts, statements and actions that Islam is a religion of peace even though it is almost completely associated with fundamentalism, extremism and violence in the west because of radicals in the Islamic world. And he is famed for the very intimate ties he had established with the late Pope John Paul II and with Patriarch Bartholmew of Constantinople, the Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan and many other representatives from other religions.

Gülen’s thoughts and actions have recently started getting the attention of the international media.

It is possible to mention many other examples that prove the universal nature of Gülen’s philosophy. However, to me, the biggest proof is that a major part of Gülen’s followers comprises of people from many different ethnicities, religions and cultures other than Turks and Muslims. Today from Siberia to Australia, from China to Canada, and from Sweden to Brazil, you may find thousands of people who act upon the ideas Gülen developed for a peaceful world.

Holding that terrorism cannot be attributed to any religion and completely rejecting violence, Gülen has drawn a distinction between terrorism and Islam by stating after 9/11 that, “Muslims cannot be terrorists; if they are terrorists, they are not Muslims”. He has reiterated his condemnations numerous times, targeting Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida.

In addition, many universities have held symposia and established chairs in the name of Gülen, who attracts the attention of the academic world in many countries. One of the most recent academic events took place in 2007 in London under the auspices of the House of Lords and with the participation of the School of Oriental and African Studies and the London School of Economics.

In light of all this, nobody should feel surprised about his selection as number one in the top 100 public intellectuals survey conducted by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines. Just the opposite, we should all be surprised if he doesn’t receive the Nobel peace prize in the near future.

Original story may be found at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/24/turkey.islam, Tuesday 24 June 2008

 


Related News

Tape politics

Someone placed a bugging device to wiretap the prime minister in a room that was being placed under constant surveillance. What is easier than catching the perpetrators behind this? Who entered and left the room should have been recorded. This incident took place in 2011 but as of now, this still remains unresolved and the Hizmet movement is being blamed for it.

Erdoğan’s game plan for Hizmet

Erdogan may continue to demonize and even to try to criminalize the Hizmet movement in an effort to brainwash his people into believing that he is the only one who can save the nation. We will see if this brings him the additional votes he needs to be elected president.

AK Party criticizes Hakan Şükür’s sudden resignation

Turkish media claimed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the leader of the AK Party, said, “He [Şükür] resigned on an order [from the Hizmet movement], this is not a decision he can make alone.” However, AK Party spokesman Hüseyin Çelik denied the prime minister had made those comments. “I have spoken to the prime minister, everybody should know that he has not made such a statement,” Çelik said.

A Prayer to the Volunteers of Kimse Yok Mu from the Islands of Comoros

The Muslim population, having donated the plot of land on which the Turkish school in the island of Comoros will be built, dressed in their most festive garments and gathered in the forested land to pray. They were praying so that the foundation of the school could be laid as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the […]

OSCE: Excessive penalties threaten journalism in Turkey

Dunja Mijatovic, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) representative on freedom of the media, has said excessive penalties against journalists may threaten investigative journalism and freedom of speech in Turkey. Mijatovic spoke against an investigation targeting Taraf journalist Mehmet Baransu for reporting on a confidential National Security Council (MGK) document that mentioned a planned crackdown on faith-based groups in Turkey.

The Turkish invasion of Nigeria

I think Nigerians have to rise to the occasion and ensure that the persecution of Hizmet movement participants is halted without further delay. It is pertinent to state that Hizmet movement affiliated institutions in Nigeria have over 2000 Nigerians in their employ.

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

Trip to Turkey leaves a lasting impression

Judge jails mother of three, threatens to arrest 3-month-old baby

A rising profile for Turkish Cultural Center Vermont

Erdoğan admits gov’t capitalized on coup attempt to pursue Gülen movement

The philosophical and intellectual contest “Know Thyself” held in Bishkek

Tonyaa Weathersbee: Various forms of Islam revealed in Turkey

Turkish charities extend helping hand during Eid al-Adha

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News