The Role of The Gulen Movement in the Task of Eco-Justice

M. Fethullah Gulen
M. Fethullah Gulen


Date posted: November 8, 2010

John Corrigan

On Thursday, Nov. 4, an event to promote intercultural dialogue titled “Making Peace With & In the World: The Role of The Gulen Movement in the Task of Eco-Justice,” took place in the Student Center.

Sponsored by the Philadelphia Dialogue Forum, the Rumi Student Association and Temple’s Department of Religion, the conference consisted of religious scholars and environmentalists discussing Gulen’s influence on encouraging peace in humanity.

“We’ve held conferences nationwide colleges and cultural centers,” said Philadelphia Dialogue Forum President Omer Genc. “There must be dialogue between people of different faiths to achieve peace around the world.”

Fethullah Gulen is a Turkish Muslim scholar who advocates human rights, interfaith dialogue, and harmonious coexistence.

During the years of political turmoil in Turkey, the youth was attracted to extremist ideologies via the violent polarization of socialism and nationalism. Gulen strove to inspire the Turkish youth toward an apolitical way of service to society, based on a peaceful lifestyle.

“Gulen was among the first Muslim scholars to criticize Osama Bin Laden following the September 11th terrorist attacks,” visiting professor of religion Jon Pahl said.

The conference featured many influential speakers such as Professor of Religion Dr. John Raines, who promoted unity between human and environment.

“Runaway capitalism is the material idolatry that now owns and runs the world,” Raines said.

“Eco-Justice is the task of global economic justice and at the same moment the task of global ecological justice. To pursue that task, we must disenthrall ourselves of the dominant ideology that defines the self in relationship to its material possessions.”

As an example of the eco-justice initiative, Pahl mentioned the “development of green industries” to make “biotechnology sustainable.”

Genc encouraged Temple students to become engaged in intercultural dialogue.

“Having a campus with such diversity is a nice opportunity to learn about and embrace multiple cultures,” said Genc.

“Students should seek out varying religious organizations to better understand their beliefs. Temple has a great atmosphere for participating in open, peaceful dialogue.”

Reflecting on the conference, Pahl expressed not only his interest in working with the attendees in the future but also his appreciation to Temple.

“It is good to know that others are active and care about these issues of eco-justice and peace,” Pahl said.

“As a researcher of violence and religion, I’m inspired to pursue my studies due to the shared enthusiasm by these international scholars,” Pahl said. “I am very grateful that Temple hosted this event. With its state of diversity, promoting open dialogue has always been Temple’s greatest asset.”

“It is the heart of what Temple stands for.”

John Corrigan can be reached at john.corrigan@temple.edu.

 

Source: Temple News , November 5, 2010


Related News

Purge In Turkey Worries Kansas City Emigres

The brutal, imperious reaction of Turkey’s dictatorial government to a failed coup attempt last year has turned life into a nightmare for most, if not all, Kansas City-area residents of Turkish nationality.

Conference endorses Gülen’s ideas as guides for Nigerian education system

In his message Gülen thanked the Nigerian authorities for having welcomed Turkish schools and teachers to their country, which “has a crucial role in Africa with its great population and strategic geographic position, [and is] a country that has enormous potential to be an exemplary land with its rich ethnic, cultural and religious mosaic.”

Iftar Dinner at Manhattan’s Riverside Church

Islands Institute New York, The Riverside Church, Union Theological Seminary and Interfaith Center of New York organized a wonderful Iftar Dinner at the Riverside Church. The Iftar had more than 250 guests from very diverse cultures and religions. The program began with a welcome speech by Reverend Chloe Breyer and representatives of each organization.

Turkish Cultural Center reaches out to Syracuse community to share its unique culture

The Turkish Cultural Center in Syracuse serves the local Turkish-American community. The organization strives to educate and inform the public about the many aspects of Turkey, Turkish culture and history.

Food and fun abound at Turkish Festival

Alamo Plaza was alive with music and food, Saturday, for the annual Turkish Festival. The free event celebrated different aspects of the Turkish culture including folk dance, the performing arts and authentic cuisine. This year’s theme was San Antonio Goes Turkish.

1,500 pounds of frozen meat for needy Staten Island families

Fifteen Staten Island food pantries will distribute 1,500 pounds of frozen meat to needy families this holiday season.

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

Journalist Dumanlı says slanders against Hizmet reminiscent of Feb. 28 era

Bad news for Erdoğan’s lawyers in the US

Body of Turkish woman fleeing to Greece found weeks after boat capsized

Fethullah Gulen’s Message on the Anniversary of the Coup Attempt in Turkey

Turkey’s fight against Gülen in the South Caucasus

Anatolian Tigers drive Turkey’s silent revolution

Youth address global poverty in Gülen Institute’s essay contest

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News