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

Gulen inspired organizations honor world youth in Washington D.C.

One of the award-winning students was Muhammad Haroon Kohgadai from the Afghan-Turk Boys High School in Kabul. Kohgadai was unable to attend the ceremony because he was diagnosed with heart disease at the last minute.

Hizmet movement in the spotlight at MESA 2012

The 54th annual meeting of the Middle Eastern Studies Association (MESA), held in Denver in November 2012, included a panel discussion on “Faith-Based Conservative Activism in Turkey: Fethullah Gulen as a Social Movement.” The panel attracted research studies on the Hizmet movement and its various educational and social activities, conducted at various geographical locations.

Outcome of Dakar Conference on Hizmet Movement

A two-day international conference aimed at proposing a critical reflection for appraising the links between social cohesion and diversity in a globalized world has ended in Dakar, Senegal. The conference, which was organized by ATSA and Ebru Magazine in collaboration with the Institute Fondamental de l’Afique Noire (IFAN) and the Senegalese Ministry of Education, took   […]

Tonyaa Weathersbee: Various forms of Islam revealed in Turkey

Two years ago, I traveled to Turkey with the Istanbul Cultural Center. Now Atlantic Institute, it tries to expose Americans to Turkish culture.

4th Legislative Reception in Richmond

The American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA) organized the now much exclaimed 4th Legislative Reception, in Richmond, Virginia on February 6th 2013. Members of Virginia’s General Assembly, their staff, and Turkish Americans attended the reception at the Old City Hall. The reception provided a great atmosphere for all attendees including legislators to relax and enjoy each […]

Kimse Yok Mu to establish two schools in quake-stricken Haiti

Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There), a Turkish charitable association known for its international charity work, plans to establish two schools in Haiti, hit by a strong earthquake just over a month ago. Kimse Yok Mu volunteers met with officials in Haiti and are determined to build two schools in the country, where hospitals, schools […]

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

Afghan education minister pledges to open more Turkish schools

International Conference on Hizmet Movement in Taiwan

Kimse Yok Mu conducts cataract surgeries in Nepal

3 detained Turkish educators and their families handed over to Turkey by Gabon

Today’s Zaman’s Mahir Zeynalov leaves Turkey under deportation threat

Turkish intelligence staged a rocket attack on Erdoğan’s palace to rally public support

In new incursion, Turkey orchestrates rushed extraditions from Kosovo

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News