Gülen: Society not divided into Kemalists, Muslims in Turkey


Date posted: June 19, 2011

There is no division in Turkish society between Kemalists and Muslims, and all citizens of Turkey know very well how to coexist with others coming from different religions, races and languages thanks to their roots in an old empire, the Ottoman Empire, according to internationally renowned Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Gülen’s remarks came in an interview he gave to the Deutsch-Türkische Nachrichten (DTN) news portal. Asked whether the divide between Kemalists and Muslims in Turkey will remain forever, the scholar said the question implies that Kemalists and Muslims are two opposite elements or notions. “We can neither talk about two dissociated groups such as Kemalists or Muslims in Turkey, nor we can talk about a ‘divide’ that is impossible to fill. We are heirs of an ‘empire’ society, which possesses characteristics of a mosaic. We have enjoyed the mosaic of different nations, religions, races and languages for centuries. Turkish society is heir to this mosaic and knows very well how to coexist with other people in peace even though they come from other religions, races or ethnicities,” Gülen stated.

Gülen, however, expressed regret that there is a small but influential group in Turkey that is disturbed by the peaceful coexistence of differences in society. “I believe that the small group I am talking about will see the reality some day, and they will realize that their interests lie in melting in a pot of rich differences. For me, this will be to the well-being of the entire world, given the importance of Turkey in its region and the world,” he added.

In response to a question over what attracts people to the Gülen movement (aka Hizmet movement), inspired by Fethullah Gülen, the scholar pointed to the educational activities of the movement. “What probably attracts people to the movement is the importance attached to education, which is one of the fundamental needs of a human,” Gülen said, and added that followers of the movement do not seek any financial gains when educating other people, which also wins over the hearts of many.

Commenting on claims that the Gülen movement has a “hidden agenda” and that its followers work to infiltrate state posts in Turkey to replace the secular order with Shariah law, the scholar said neither he nor any member of his movement have been charged with “infiltrating” a state post in Turkey or in any country in the world. “I have been in contact with the public through my articles, speeches and activities since 1958. Lawsuits were filed against me with charges similar to the ones you have mentioned [infiltrating state posts] after military coups. Yet, no evidence has been put forward to prove the charges, and I have been acquitted in all cases. Furthermore, none of the millions of people who are said to be members of the [Gülen] movement have been sentenced due to the charges mentioned. So, is it not clear that the accusations are inconsistent?” Gülen asked.

Gülen was tried on charges of establishing an illegal organization to undermine the secular structure of the state with the aim of replacing it with a state based on Shariah law and engaging in various activities to this end. But he was acquitted of all charges in 2008.

Asked if he is planning to return to Turkey some day, Gülen expressed his longing to see Turkey after many years. “I long to see my country. Homesickness is a pain for anyone who lives away from his homeland, and it can be cured only with reunion.” Gülen currently resides in the United States.

The scholar also sent a message to Muslims and non-Muslims living in Germany, advising them to see their neighbors as their brothers, whether they belong to the same religion or not. “It is the duty of all Muslims around the world to refrain from any act that stains Islam,” he said.

Source: Today's Zaman , 17 June 2011


Related News

The Gülen Effect: Filipino Muslims, Christians connect for peace

Fountain Magazine held a conference recently, titled “Peacebuilding Through Education”, in New York in cooperation with the Peace Islands Institute. Some institutions were honored with the best practice award, as they have served the peacebuilding under difficult conditions. Among the honorees was The Filipino–Turkish Tolerance School (FTTS), Zamboanga, The Philippines. Below is an article about this school […]

Fethullah Gülen’s message to conference on “Mutual Understanding” in Ethiopia

Fethullah Gülen’s message to the conference entitled “Establishing&Sustaining the Culture of Coexistence and Mutual Understanding” Distinguished members of the Ethiopian – Turkish Necaşi School and the African Union, Dear guests, Please accept my warmest regards. I sincerely congratulate any effort to promote mutual understanding and the culture of co-existence which we so desperately need the […]

Int’l Gandhi Jayanti Conference on ‘Education as a Basic Right of Humankind’

One of the striking activities of Indialogue, is annual Gandhi Jayanti conference focusing each year on different trajectories of Gandhian thoughts and intellects. Research papers addressing Gandhi’s perspective and other treasured philosophical trends are invited from different academic disciplines.

Spinning on the Same World

Before Fatih Ozcan, the Mississippi representative for the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest, moved to the United States in 2002, he didn’t fully recognize the importance of communication between different cultures. The nonprofit organization, which follows Islamic scholar and social advocate Fethullah Gulen’s teachings of tolerance and mutual understanding, was in development in Houston when Ozcan first became involved.

Eid-al Adha Holiday Tradition Benefits Local Soup Kitchen

Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair was the benefit of 150 pounds of meat recently donated by Peace Islands Institute. The annual donation is in celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Adha, which took place Aug. 21 to 24.

What does Turkey deserve?

Once the remaining human capital exits Turkey, the country will be left to bigoted seculars and even more bigoted political Islamists. Given the shameful silence and support for the worst witch-hunt the country has ever witnessed, maybe this is what Turkey deserves: swaying between secular authoritarianism and popular Islamist dictatorship.

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

Kimse Yok Mu purchases houses for 11 Soma families

I’m ashamed

Senegalese Education Minister: I will send my daughter to Turkish schools

Gülen’s Dialogue on Education: A Caravanserai of Ideas

Trip to Turkey about understanding

Despite blocking accounts, Kimse Yok Mu able to collect donations

Gülen’s teachings discussed this time in New York

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News