Fethullah Gulen’s Statement on Devastating Bush Fires in Australia


Date posted: January 9, 2020

I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the enormous bush fires in Australia that caused the deaths of 24 Australian citizens, burned over 1000 homes and took the lives of millions of animals.

My thoughts and prayers are with those across Australia who are continuing to face these devastating fires.

I had a chance to visit Australia in 1992 and was struck by the beauty of the land and the warm-heartedness of its people. It pains me to see the unprecedented damage to this beautiful land and its wildlife.

I am confident that the brave and energetic spirit of the Australian people will help them overcome this challenge and restore the damaged habitat.

May this tragic event be an occasion to reflect worldwide on the blessings we enjoy on this planet, strengthen our commitment to protecting the environment and wildlife and review our response measures.

I express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, to the country’s national and local leaders and to the people of Australia.

I invite everybody from around the world to help Australians and pray to God, the Most Compassionate, to help emergency service workers and all Australians at this difficult time.

– Fethullah Gülen

Source: Alliance for Shared Values , January 8, 2020


Related News

Turkish officials cancel green passport of Islamic scholar Gülen

Nurullah Albayrak, Gülen’s lawyer, said the decision to cancel the scholar’s passport is politically motivated and has no legal basis. He said Gülen was granted a green passport after his application to the relevant authorities following the adoption of Article 4 of Law No. 5682, which allows certain state officials and retired or resigned public servants to apply for a green passport after a review of their status during their work.

Becoming a Dialogue Movement: What Can Dialogue Learn from Other Movements?

Frances Sleap Tue, 01 May 2012 Local intercultural dialogue efforts may have a real impact on the quality of the relationships of those involved. But how can dialogue have a larger-scale, more pervasive effect on our society? In a 2010 Dialogue Society discussion, Revd Donald Reeves suggested that dialogue needs to become a movement. Dr […]

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.

Gulen, Erdogan and democracy in Turkey

Previously, most observers had wrongly assumed that these groups were inherent allies because of their faith-based worldview. In sharp contrast to this misperception, these groups came from entirely different pasts and political orientation, although they share a common interest in free market economy and cherished upward socio-economic mobility.

Islamic Scholar Fethullah Gulen promotes peace, understanding

Turkish Islamic scholar and founder of the Hizmet (Service) movement, Fethullah Gulen not only promoted peace and understanding, but also counseled Muslims to critically review their understanding of Islam.

Clash of two Islams in Turkey

Mr. Gulen and the movement which takes his name are rooted in the mystical tradition of Islam and focus on education and social and cultural projects while Mr. Erdogan is an advocate for political Islam and its desire for political power.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

NTIC Foundation: Touching lives in Nigeria

Guest post: Turkey and the problem of political continuity

Somali students caring for the Soma orphans

Prominent theologian says Turkey in crisis with international community

A Comparative Approach to Islam and Democracy

Steller: For Turks, post-coup purges make U.S. safe harbor

With happy life left behind, hardship awaits us as exiled family

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News