A Case for Why Gulen Would Never Support a Coup


Date posted: August 22, 2016

Anisa Hadžović

Fethullah Gulen is a 77-year old Turkish Muslim scholar who has been living in self-exile in Pennsylvania for the past two decades. His ideas are the source of influence for hundreds of thousands of people who were inspired by him to make the world a better place through education, ending poverty, and uniting people through common universal values. Gulen’s ideas started becoming popular in Turkey in the 1970’s. Those that were influenced by him began to establish schools, hospitals, charity organizations and other social development institutions in different parts of Turkey.

By the 90’s, such people, by then called Gulen-followers, were moving to different countries around the world (mostly poor countries at first). Initially they were only opening schools but later other institutions as well such as hospitals, charity organizations, interfaith dialogue centers and many other types of establishments to contribute to society.

Throughout all of these decades, Gulen’s ideas and ideals have never changed in their essence or in the ways they were carried out. Some 170 countries around the world, which all contain different types of Gulen-inspired establishments, are a witness to this truth. Gulen, whose ideas have Sufi roots as well, has always called for peaceful and grassroots type methods to better society.

To point the finger at Gulen for being the mastermind behind the coup in Turkey could not be farther from the truth. Gulen understands the verse from the Quran “killing one person is like killing all of humanity*” as a straightforward verse with no gray areas to it. The individual cannot be sacrificed for the “greater good.” In his statement after 9/11, Gulen used an analogy saying that if a ship contains nine criminals and one innocent person, that ship cannot be sunk according to Islam for the sake of the one innocent person. How could such a man give command to an army (if he could even have such access) to march down on streets full of civilians with war tanks and helicopters? Such an action would not only go against everything he has done and preached his whole life, but it would also finish the global movement he has inspired.

Although there is no direct link between Gulen and the works of his followers, a coup in Turkey that is affiliated with Gulen, whether successful or not, would directly affect them and their works, eventually leading to the movement’s demise. It is also important to note that Gulen himself has lived through 4 coups in Turkey during his lifetime and was even imprisoned during one of them. Seeing the effects of coups firsthand, he has always been categorically against them and supported the rule of democracy.

In his interview with the prominent French newspaper Le Monde, Gulen has called the July 15 events in Turkey a “terror coup.” As a man who has always condemned terrorism and violence in any shape or form, to which his life’s work is evidence, it is hard to believe that Gulen could have had the slightest connection to the coup.

*The Qur’an, Al-Maide 5.32

 


Related News

Turkey’s Opposition Fails a Critical Test: To Challenge Erdogan

The CHP’s inability to seize the moment and strongly condemn the arbitrary extent and nature of the purges from the start was a critical failure, and one that serves to undermine its integrity and sustainability as an opposition force. Despite tentative but welcome signs from the CHP towards highlighting the exponential injustices of Turkey’s ongoing purge, it still seems like a classic case of acting too little, too late.

Hizmet rejects claims it is linked to graft probe, says democracy is antidote to chaos

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), whose honorary chairman is Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, has categorically rejected accusations that it is linked to the corruption and bribery investigation that has rocked Turkey for nearly a month, urging everyone to avoid language that only deepens the “dangerous polarization” in the country.

Purge-victim businessman dies of cancer days after being released from prison

Engin Erol, 41, a Turkish businessman who was jailed three years ago on allegations of membership in the Gülen group, died on Thursday evening in a hospital from cancer, which was not treated properly in the prison where he was held until the last stage of his illness.

Pakistan – Turkish teachers, students not to be deported, court told

The federal government Wednesday told the Lahore High Court that Turkish national teachers and students of PakTurk International Schools would not be deported.

Fethullah Gulen sends his condolences to victims of Boston bombings

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic bomb attack at the Boston Marathon that cost the lives of innocent people and injured many more. I express my absolute condemnation of this senseless act of violence that accomplished nothing more than the infliction of unbearable pain on innocent people. I send my sincere condolences to the […]

Gülen’s relatives dismayed over smear campaign against Islamic scholar

Dismayed, if not surprised, by the unabated smear campaign against distinguished Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, the scholar’s relatives have expressed their disappointment and anxiety over the endless accusations and slander against Gülen.

Latest News

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

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Turkish schools in Austria select finalists for Int’l Turkish Olympiads

Galaxy International School in Uganda educates thinkers, innovators

Turkish Authorities Deny Funeral Service for Drowned Gulen Supporters and babies

State discrimination against Hizmet movement sympathizers

Erdoğan gov’t threatened to ‘wipe TUSKON off market map,’ says chairman

Cancer patient arrested over Gülen links shortly after surgery

Turkish school shelters mountaineer in Nepal

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News