Prof. Weller: Hizmet [movement] accomplished bringing together oppositions in society


Date posted: December 21, 2013

LONDON

The scholarly interest towards the Hizmet Movement has been growingly increasing. On December 4th, the London-based Dialogue Society hosted a book launch of a yet another publication on the movement.

The book is titled “The Muslim World and Politics in Transition: Creative Contributions of the Gulen Movement.” Prof. Paul Weller of University of Derby; Dr. Ihsan Yilmaz of Fatih University, Turkey; Dr. Carool Kersten of King’s College, London; and Dr. Amina Yaqin of SOAS University were present at the event.

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing and consisting of 13 academic articles, the book is edited by the academics Greg Barton, Paul Weller and Ihsan Yilmaz. The first part of the book examines the Hizmet Movement’s contributions as a civil society body. The part two titled “Muslim Politics beyond Post-Islamism” deals with the movement’s contributions to democracy while the part three is dedicated to its initiatives in Muslim world.

Prof. Weller spoke to Cihan News Agency. “Based on my observations, engagement with the affiliated people, and readings and research on the movement, I have arrived at the conclusion that Hizmet plays a crucial role in bringing together opposing groups and enabling them to reach a common ground for society’s good,” Weller said. Noting that it also provides inspiration for those engaging in education, “Education has always contributed positively to civil society. Through education, people can be equipped to better understand each other, their society and the world at large,” he added.

Dr. Kersten, in his statements, said the movement is very clear in its stance against political Islam. Hizmet maintains that transformation in Muslim societies come about among civil societies and an Islamic state model is no longer needed in today’s world, Kersten argued. “Hizmet hold that change along with harmony in Muslim world is possible through education and supporting initiatives,” he added. Regardless of individuals’ religious views and cultural background, Hizmet strongly believes the universal human right parameters and democratic principles suffice to handle people, as Kersten concluded.

Published [in Turkish] on Cihan, 18 December 2013, Wednesday

Source: Hizmet Movement , December 21, 2013

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Turkish anti-terrorism police carried out raids in six cities, detaining at least five people with alleged links to al-Qaida

The police raid “is a deliberate attack on the IHH,” said Yasar Kutluay, the group’s secretary general. “They are trying to portray the group as an organization with links to terrorism.” He blamed Israel and Gulen’s supporters, for the operation — a charge Gulen’s movement immediately rejected as “slander and false incrimination.”

Turkish PM calls for boycott of Gülen movement’s schools

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has geared up his rhetoric against the movement of U.S. based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, calling for a boycott of the movement’s schools.

Government circular bans Gülen followers from collecting sacrificed animal skins

A recent government circular sent to police departments across Turkey told police to seize the skins of sacrificed animals during Eid al-Adha collected on behalf of the “Fethullah Gülen terrorist organization” (FETÖ) — a derogatory term President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his political associates developed in order to disparage the faith-based Gülen movement, which is […]

Gulistan schools in Kosovo to continue education despite its abducted teachers

Gulistan Educational Institutions has declared that they will continue their activities despite their abducted teachers. 5 of their teachers were abducted by Turkish Intelligence Agency in cooperation with Kosovo’s intel agency, which shocked the global education community and protested in many countries including USA, Canada, and UK.

EP discusses transparency call for Hizmet

In a letter dated Jan. 20 that was sent to all members of the EP, the Brussels-based Intercultural Dialogue Platform (IDP), whose honorary president is Gülen, stated that it welcomes calls upon the Hizmet movement to improve its transparency and accountability.

Turks Should Question The Official Narrative That Gulen Was Behind The Coup

I am not trying to absolve one side or the other. The coup attempt was a heinous assault on Turkey’s civilian politics and the plotters must be punished in a fashion that deters similar actions in the future. What I am trying to understand is why everyone agrees that Gulenists did it when there is little evidence and that is even questionable.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

As Turks flee oppression, Ottawa urged to speak out on human rights issues

Kimse Yok Mu to distribute 90,000 food packages during Ramadan

Movie Selam actress sponsors orphanage in Sudan

Turkish Scholar Fethullah Gulen Speaks about PKK [terrorist organization]

Children from across the globe meet in Germany for peace

PKK terrorism, piety and the Gülen movement

Deviation, crisis and opportunities…

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News