Fethullah Gülen calls for ‘bridges of peace’ in Eid al-Fitr remarks

Fethullah Gülen
Fethullah Gülen


Date posted: September 28, 2011

30 August 2011, Tuesday / SEZAI KALAYCI, PENNSYLVANIA

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, currently residing in the US, has issued a call for peace and dialogue, warning that failure to address enmities through dialogue could lead to a large-scale devastation for humanity.

Gülen, speaking at a breakfast with members of the Turkish community visiting him on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday, said some people nurture hostilities towards other people because these people happen to be Christian, or Jewish or Muslim and underlined that such approaches will never bring peace or friendship to the humanity.

He said occasions such as Eid al-Fitr when hearts are filled with warmth should be used as an opportunity to improve dialogue, warning that the humanity would otherwise have to pay dearly. “At a time when … nuclear bombs are used against humanity … if [dialogue] is not established at a world scale, if those who endeavor for peace in the Muslim world and the world in general do not address this problem, half of the humanity may die,” Gülen said.

He reminded the atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the Second World War and said there was the risk that cluster bombs used only recently against Palestinians could well be used somewhere else, against other people. “Unfortunately there are places where oppression still goes on,” he said.

“Bridges of peace should be built,” said Gülen, adding that occasions such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha could be used for such a purpose. “We need to show that we have no prejudice against anyone. We ought to respect all,” he said, emphasizing that this is an obligation under Islam and that this is what humanity needs.

The revered scholar also called on believers to constantly renew themselves. “Appreciating [the holy month of] Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr depends to a certain extent on one’s faith. And faith depends on whether or not one constantly renews himself or herself. If a person can renew himself or herself in regard to his or her faith and thoughts, then they can feel the freshness in everything.”

Source: Today’s Zaman http://www.todayszaman.com/news-255374-fethullah-gulen-calls-for-bridges-of-peace-in-eid-al-fitr-remarks.html


Related News

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.

PII Awards Law Enforcement in New Jersey

Peace Islands Institute director Ercan Tozan welcomed his guests and thanked everyone for their continued service to the community.

Ramadan meal iftar helps Muslims break religious, cultural barriers with guests

“May God accept your fasting,” Turkish-American host Fuat Aksoy said as each member of his family bit into a date palm — together breaking their Ramadan fast.

African village named ‘Turkiye’ to show thanks for humanitarian aid

MEHMET KURU, OUAGADOUGOU Residents of a village in the West African country of  Burkina Faso have changed the name of the settlement to “Turkiye” to show their appreciation for the aid they received during the Eid al-Adha holiday from civil society organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There). Some 250 volunteers from eight countries and […]

Campaign seeks donations for purge-victim Turkish refugees in Greece

A fundraising campaign has been launched for the Turkish refugees who cross into Greece in order to escape an ongoing purge and persecution of Turkish government led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Alevi associations react against halt of mosque-cemevi project

Several Alevi Bektaşi Associations affiliated with the Federation of Alevi Foundations (AVF), which together represent 600 cemevis and 300 local Alevi community associations, have strongly condemned the refusal by Ankara’s Mamak Municipality

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

TUSKON says systematic campaign of defamation is under way

Survey shows Turkish gov’t seized at least $11 billion of company assets over Gülen links

Kofi Annan’s remarks about Gulen Movement

Defamation campaign against Hizmet condemned by CSOs from across country

Hizmet movement and the Kurdish question

European court says Turkey’s Ergenekon arrests legal

Chicago organization welcomes new scrutiny amid fallout of failed Turkish military coup

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News