Reflections on the Gulen Movement Conference in Senegal


Date posted: February 14, 2013

Alie Yunus Kallay

EBRU Review Magazine and Turkish-Senegalese Association for Atlantic Cultural Dialogue (ATSA) invited Muslims from all over the world to participate and present papers on the theme “Diversity and Cohesion in a Globalized World: Contributions of the Gülen Movement” in a seminar held in Dakar (Senegal), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Senegal and the University of Sheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (UCAD) on the 8th and 9th of February 2013.

Although globalization has now become an unavoidable reality, is viewed by many as a form of imperialism, it has caused fundamental changes to all sectors of the economy, sociology, communications policy, and the right to state governance. Clearly, globalization involves many risks as opportunities. However, because the future depends on the interaction of man with globalization, a new question is: how to address globalization to build a peaceful future? Recent and intense public debates have updated the issues of globalization and diversity. It is in this context that this symposium addressed the issue of socio-cultural diversity and contribution of civil society. Cultural differences, religious and ethnic lines, as part of the policy of diversity and multiculturalism are significant challenges to achieve the governmental authorities. More than integration and citizenship, mutual understanding and interaction dynamics are essential for establishing a common public space in which it is possible to express a sense of shared values, reduce disparities and polarization and build strong relationships. Increased diversity in public debates has greatly increased the role of thinkers, public organizations and private associations in achieving social cohesion involves an understanding positive and significant in the context of alternative policies. This symposium focused on a critical appreciation of the close links between diversity, social cohesion and globalization.

In this perspective, one of the objectives of this meeting was to present the implications of globalization for civil society, and analyze, in particular, the issue in the context of the contributions of the Hizmet movement, more generally known as of “Gülen movement.” How has the Gülen movement contributred to peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding of diversity in the context of a globalized world? The conference also examined such topics as transnational education system inspired by the ideas of Fethullah Gülen, intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, integration, religion and human rights.

Fethullah Gülen is one of the greatest Muslim scholars in the world that has motivated millions of people to engage and invest in social development by encouraging them to study modern science. Similarly, he urged them to maintain relations by strengthening intercultural dialogue. The volunteering, often used as indicators of the social contribution to public life, are essential elements of the Gülen movement. Its main objective is to develop peaceful relations and to provide a better understanding. To do this, it emphasizes the dynamic as education, dialogue and solidarity. This symposium presented the Gülen movement and its activities through the various contributions in the world and in various fields to form a cohesive society. Active in more than one hundred forty countries, many education centers and institutes dialogue function in a global vision that promotes positive action and respect for local, individual and cultural diversity. The Gülen movement has attracted millions of people in Turkey where he was born in the sixties and had progressively reached global. One of the movement’s schools has shown success in education in Senegal for nearly a decade. ATSA has encouraged intercultural dialogue exchanged through tours, meals or intercultural encounters inspired by ideas of Fethullah Gülen. The international conference featured speakers who have studied social movements and ideas of the latter. Participation, accommodation, food and transportation were provided and facilitated freely by the organizers.

Scholars that presented papers in the conference were drawn from various countries and universities around the world. Professor Mme Elena Biag of university of Milan, Italy, Professor M.Eric Geoffrey of Islamologue university of Strasbourg, France, Professor Marcia Hermansen from Canada, Professor Flip Stancio of Europ/Africa university, Romania, the minister of religious Affairs of Mali Mr Yakubu Traore, Dr. Omar Jah Jr. principal and vice chancellor of the university of Gambia, Mr Ibrahim Jakitay principal of Malian Arabic Institute, Professor Yasien Mohamed from Cape Town South Africa, Professor M. Herve Legrand of the Catholic University in France. Professor Alhaji Dr. Babatunde Karim of the University of Sierra Leone, Sheikh Abu Bakar Conteh of Freetown Teachers College, Mr. Abdul Qadr the Gulen Movement coordinator in Sierra Leone and Sheikh Alie Kallay represented Sierra Leone. Dr Mbai, Sheikh Abdu Rahman Jalloh and Hajah Maimuna Savage were on the Gambian side. Nearly 40 countries were in attendance including host country Senegal.

Source: Sierra Express Media, February 14, 2013


Related News

Turkey’s efforts in Somalia

Kimse Yok Mu Foundation, in cooperation with the local Bedir Schools, has definitely undertaken great initiatives, in an effort to combat the famine, drought and tragedy in Somalia.

African Union Commission chair visits Turkish school

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, paid a visit to a Turkish school established by volunteers of the Gülen movement, which is inspired by the teachings of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, in the South African city of Durban, saying its students are “privileged” to be educated there.

Exiled cleric Gulen explains why he thinks Erdogan has branded him a terrorist

Gulen claimed that [Erdogan turn against Hizmet and accuse it of plotting the failed coup] because he had refused Erdogan’s appeal to use the domestic and international Hizmet network as a propaganda tool to present himself as leader of Islam, at home and abroad. “But Hizmet rejected him and so Erdogan was angry,” Gulen said.

Pained by the tragedy, Izmir doctor moves to Somalia

Doctor Lokman Cam, who had volunteered for three-month periods in Somalia over the past two years, eventually said: “They need us more” and moved to the country. Cam said his wife and three children at university showed the most support for his decision. Somalis, on the other hand, expressed their gratitude with the words: “You’ve […]

Establishing a Culture of Coexistence and Mutual Understanding Conference convenes in Nigeria

A two day conference titled “Establishing a Culture of Coexistence and Mutual Understanding: Exploring Fethullah Gülen’s Thought and Action” got underway in Nigeria’s capital on Friday. Scholars from thirteen different countries have gathered for the conference at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. The event has been organized by Abuja-based Ufuk Dialogue Foundation and The […]

Terrorism: Why Obama, Others Ignored Turkish President Erdogan

Turkish President Erdogan on Tuesday called on world leaders to fight against US based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen over what he (Erdogan) described as an act of terrorism orchestrated by Gulen against Turkey. Addressing Presidents and Prime Ministers of civilised regimes of the world at the 68th UN General Assembly, Erdogan demonstrated before his colleagues very high level of incapacitation and inability to stick to simple ratified conventions to which Turkey is signatory.

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

From republic to al-mukhabarat state

The AKP, Gülen and Feb. 28 coup

Volunteer doctors to perform surgeries in Mali under leadership of Kimse Yok Mu

The Turkish assassin is a product of Tayyip Erdogan’s incitement

Virginia delegation teams up with Turkish NGO, delivers aid to Syrians

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

‘We are a Kurdistan company,’ says Kurdish Gulen school official

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News