NEW BOOK: So That Others May Live: A Fethullah Gulen Reader


Date posted: October 28, 2013

Fethullah Gülen is undoubtedly one of the most influential Muslim thinkers of our time. His work and writings have inspired a transnational civic movement that advocates for education, promotes intercultural and interfaith understanding, and delivers humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Originated in Turkey, this “Hizmet” or “Gülen Movement” is active in more than one hundred countries across the globe.

So That Others May Live offers a definitive compilation of Gülen’s characteristic essays. Some of them are available here in English for the first time. The rest have been carefully re-translated and edited, providing even familiar readers with new insight into Gülen’s most remarkable writings on faith, morality, education, civic service, and modern civilization. Together, this selection functions as a valuable guide to the ethical impetuses of a global social movement—one that has rooted itself in Gülen’s signature synthesis of humanism and Islam.

Reviews

“Fethullah Gülen is arguably the most important living Muslim thinker in the world and this collection is a superb introduction to his thought and work. Those looking for the so-called ‘moderate voice of Islam’ need look no further.” Reza Aslan, author of No god but God: The origins Evolution, and Future of Islam.

“A superb collection of Fethullah Gülen’s most nuanced and influential writings “So That others May Live” inspires readers, regardless of class or creed to embrace the very best of human nature: respectfulness, compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness. It beautifully conveys the humanitarian message of Gulen, in the tradition of the great poet Rumi and scholar Nursi and will continue to instill the spirit of social activism and civic engagement for generations to come.” Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic studies, School of International Service, American University, Washington, D.C.

“This extraordinary collection is a concise and truthful window into the thought of Fethullah Gülen, one of the leading Muslim thinkers of our day. Gülen’s discourse is at once intensely spiritual and modern, emerging from deep within traditional Islamic religious thought while managing to be remarkably current and open-minded These writings will confound all who come to them with preconceptions about religion and secularism, believers and skeptics or tradition and modernity. After looking through this collection, you will better understand why Mr. Gülen has managed to motivate millions of traditional Muslims to engage in progressive social causes that strive to make this world a better place for all humanity.” Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Professor of Medieval Judaism and Islam, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

About the Author:

Erkan M. Kurt is a researcher at the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, Houston, TX. He has a PhD in Islamic theology and a Master’s degree in Christian theology. He is the author of Creation: The Principle of Nature in Islamic Metaphysics.


Related News

Fethullah Gülen: alleged coup mastermind – and friendly neighbor

Chuck Parker, who lives down the road from Fethullah Gülen, said: “When we have the traditional Thanksgiving, he has a dinner then. He also has a dinner for Ramadan.” He and many other residents have received invitations, which often come with a personal touch. “They usually hand deliver it, or one of the guys bring it over.”

SP’s Kamalak says MGK, not Hizmet movement, should discuss Kurdish issue

Felicity Party (SP) leader Mustafa Kamalak, commenting on a proclamation made by the National Security Council (MGK) on Wednesday, has said that instead of labeling the Hizmet movement as a “threat to national security,” the MGK should consider the government’s Kurdish policy which is leading to a “division of the country.”

An Exiled Cleric Denies Playing a Leading Role in Coup Attempt

Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric whom President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has accused of inspiring the coup attempt against his government, gave a rare interview on Saturday at his compound here in which he denied involvement in the coup, but compared Mr. Erdogan’s administration to that of the Nazi SS.

Debunking The Gülen-Erdoğan Relationship

Yes, at one time, there had been rapprochement and mutual support, but reality and history show that such an alliance has long been overstated. The truth is, Erdoğan and Gülen only came together when Erdoğan’s stated goals reflected deeply held beliefs by Gülen. As is often the case, perception is mistaken for reality. Gülen is not Erdoğan’s biggest threat, nor was he his chief ally.

The Gülen Movement: a modern expression of Turkish Islam – Interview with Hakan Yavuz

In a way, they [the Gülen movement] represent a new model of Islam in Turkey, at peace with democracy and modernity. This also reflects the Anatolian understanding of Islam, i.e. the Sufi conception of morality is at the centre of the movement. I would consider it as a movement based on the re-imagining of Islam and consisting of loose networks under the guidance and leadership of Fetullah Gülen.

On Gülen vs Erdogan – “And not equal are the good deed and the bad”

Martin Luther, the Christian leader who is called “the Father of the Reformation,” described two kingdoms: the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of heaven. In the contrasts between Erdoğan and Gülen, we surely see examples of this distinction.

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

UN 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Turkish-American community grapples with Turkey coup’s aftermath

Fountain Magazine announces essay contest winners

Erdoğan’s image in the West

Rounding up the ISIS collaborators, in Turkey and Kurdistan

The Turkish School in Kathmandu made a dream come true

Turkey should compensate abused Nigerian students

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News