Why did Fethullah Gülen visit John Paul II?


Date posted: August 29, 2013

One of the best-selling weeklies of Turkey, Aksiyon, made Fethullah Gülen’s meeting with Pope John Paul II a cover story on February 2, 1998 and published an published an interview with him. Gülen visited the Pope on February 9, 1998.  A summarized excerpt from that interview follows:

Q: At a time when theories of the clash of civilizations are being discussed and NATO has declared [the] Islam[ic world] the chief enemy, you make attempts for a world-wide dialogue. What factors urge you to make such attempts?

A: The idea that the world is on the threshold of new clashes is the expectation of those whose power and continued domination depend on continuous conflicts. However, as the Qur’an puts it, man is a noble creature and in pursuit of good things. While searching for the good and beautiful, sometimes we may encounter undesirable things. What urges me to make attempts for a world-wide dialogue is the innate nobility and beauty of man.

Q: Do you attach importance to the relevant commandments or rules of the Qur’an the Prophet in your initiatives?

A: The Qur’an urges peace, order and accord.

It aims at universal peace and order, and opposes conflicts and dissensions. It is interesting that the actions acceptable to God are called in the Qur’an actions to bring peace and order (‘amali saliha). Our Prophet upon him be peace, described fighting in the way of God as minor jihad. Because it is undertaken only to remove obstacles before perfecting man morally and spiritually, and to bring about peace and order in human society. The real aim is to perfect man and to bring about peace and order. When this cannot be achieved by desirable ways such as education and when you are exposed to unjust attacks, only then minor jihad can be resorted to. Therefore, the minor jihad is not a rule, it serves only as a last resort.

Q: How did the process leading to the meeting with the Pope begin and develop?

A: It is not possible to achieve something positive in an atmosphere where enmities prevail and through reactionary measures. As social, civilized beings, especially in our day when human values are given prominence even though rather verbally, men can and should solve the problems between them through dialogue. It is our belief- a belief shared by sociologists and political analysts – that religions will have greater word in the next century. Islam and Christianity are the two religions with the largest following. Buddhism and Hinduism also have considerable following. Judaism has influence of its own. If we expect a universal revival toward the end of time, then this requires, as a preliminary condition, the co-operation of these great religions on the essentials common to them.

We have no doubt about the truth of our values. We urge no one to join us and I think that no one conceives of urging us toward their religion. The Qur’an made a universal call of dialogue to the followers of other heavenly religions. Unfortunately, however, the centuries following the call of the Qur’an witnessed conflicts and quarrels rather than dialogue and mutual understanding. Our time is the time of addressing the intellects and hearts, and this requires a peaceful atmosphere with mutual trust and respect. The conditions of the Hudaybiya Treaty seemed unacceptable to the Companions at first glance. However, the Qur’an described it as an opening, because, in the peaceful atmosphere following the Treaty, the doors of hearts were opened to Islamic truths. We have no intention to conquer lands or peoples, but we are resolved to contribute to world peace and a peaceful order and harmony by which our old world will find a last happiness before its final destruction.

Source: Fountain Magazine , Issue 23 / July - September 1998


Related News

Fethullah Gülen donates $10,000 for victims of Typhoon Haiyan disaster in Philippines

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen donated to the Kimse Yok Mu foundation $10,000 for the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan disaster in the Philippines. “According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs [UNOCHA], 4.3 million people have been affected by the typhoon and 330,000 people are now homeless. Ninety percent of the houses in Tacloban city have been damaged,” AFAD stated recently.

‘I am just Fethullah the son of Ramiz’

During my week long visit to the esteemed Fethullah Gülen, we occasionally got together with around eight to 10 people to converse over tea. I would like to share the thoughts that resonated with me by referencing the notes that I took during those get-togethers:Egocentrism (selfishness) is a block of ice. It is very difficult to melt it by throwing it into a pool of modesty.

The Global Imam

Suzan Hansen wrote an article about Mr. Gulen on The New Republic Magazine. She is trying to answer the question: What does the leader of the world’s most influential Islamic movement really want? What does the leader of the world’s most influential Islamic movement really want? Suzy Hansen November 10, 2010   The New Republic (Full content […]

Fethullah Gulen’s Message regarding Rumors Circulated in Turkish Media about a Second Coup Attempt

Fethullah Gulen: Once again, the Turkish media, under government control or government pressure, is circulating horrific rumors, this time about a supposed second coup attempt in the works, supposedly prepared by my sympathizers with the backing of the United States. Such rumors are unfounded and irresponsible.

Fethullah Gülen calls on Muslims in the US to pray against Sandy

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has expressed his deep sorrow over the devastating effects of Superstorm Sandy, called on Muslims in the US to pray and reportedly wrote a blessing and prayer against the storm before the US East Coast was hit by the monster storm, on Monday. Gülen lives in Pennsylvania, which was among the […]

A modern Ottoman

Fethullah Gulen was chosen world’s top intellectual in 2008. The world’s top 100 intellectuals were choosen by Prospect Magazine in association with US magazine Foreign Policy. Click here to view the results of the Prospect/FP global intellectuals polls. Below is an article published on Prospect Magazine about Mr. Fethullah Gulen. Ehsan Masood The Turkish cleric […]

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 awarded damages, to build orphanage in Uganda

Fethullah Gülen’s teachings discussed at conference in Algeria

Turkish Cultural Center to hold ‘Henna Night’ fundraiser for water well construction in Africa

How strong is the Gülen movement in France?

The world needs more song and dance than war – Mbete

Turkish PM heads to Brussels for tough talks with EU

‘I feel like I have been buried alive’: families live in fear and isolation as Erdoğan leads a witch-hunt

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News