Peace Valley Foundation recognizes reporter, teacher, preacher for community work

Kay Campbell, religion reporter for The Huntsville Times, at left, joins Huntsville High School teacher Chanda Davis and the Rev. Frank Broyles as honorees for Community Service in Media, Education and Community Service, respectively, by the Peace Valley Foundation, a non-profit education organization dedicated to building communication and understanding among all people. Huntsville, Ala., Thursday, April 18, 2013. (Courtesy of the Rev. Dr. Wanda Gail Campbell)
Kay Campbell, religion reporter for The Huntsville Times, at left, joins Huntsville High School teacher Chanda Davis and the Rev. Frank Broyles as honorees for Community Service in Media, Education and Community Service, respectively, by the Peace Valley Foundation, a non-profit education organization dedicated to building communication and understanding among all people. Huntsville, Ala., Thursday, April 18, 2013. (Courtesy of the Rev. Dr. Wanda Gail Campbell)


Date posted: April 19, 2013

At about the same time tonight, April 18, 2013, that a keeper of the peace at Massachusetts Institute of Technology was fatally wounded by gunshots; in the same week that some vicious destructors left bags of explosive shrapnel aimed at runners, family and children at the finish line of the Boston Marathon; in the same month that the nuclear bombast from North Korea gave everyone in the world a headache, I was among three awardees given a lovely dinner and inspiring words by the Huntsville chapter of the international Peace Valley Foundation.

Also recognized were Chanda Davis, an award-winning advanced science teacher at Huntsville High School, for her work in education, and the Rev. Frank Broyles for his career spent integrating his work as a pastor with community-building, barrier-surmounting, bridge-building leadership in Huntsville.

I find it sadly ironic that the work of peace was being celebrated in one corner of our country while in another a gunman possessed by some devil was doing the work of war. That doesn’t quite balance out, but a determined embracing of peace and community anywhere is cause for joy and a reminder that human beings are about more than destruction.

The Peace Valley Foundation is part of an international network of non-profit education and community organizations inspired by the teachings of Fethullah Gulen – a professor and religious leader announced today (Thursday, April 18, 2013) as one of the “100 Most Influential People of 2013” by Time magazine, who describes him “the most potent advocate of moderation in the Muslim world.”

Detractors claim that Gulen is a cult leader who inspires mindless obedience and is trying to take over the world. But people who are trying to take over the world have either religious fanatics or political zealots on their side – and the volunteers who spend their personal time, energy and money for Peace Valley projects are held in suspicion by both bigots and zealots.

“True love for others is how we move from being merely human to being humane” Fethullah Gulen

Sometimes you can accurately judge the quality of a movement’s character by the characters who are fighting it.

I admit: Gulen’s teachings are, in fact, hard for us to understand in an age where religion is too often co-opted by factions jockeying for political power – whether in the U.S. or in the Middle East. Gulen teaches that being serious about one’s personal faith does not negate one’s ability to also respect those who do not share that faith. Gulen teaches that faith should influence people in power – but that power should never be used to impose faith on others.

That’s a paradoxical understanding of the role of religion in the public square that other, wise people, notably Tony Campolo, Os Guinness, Wayne Flynt, Jim Wallis and Eric Metaxas, are also attempting to explain in our age of absolutist all-or-nothing thinking.

“Gulen reminds us that civilizations do not have to clash; civilizations can cooperate,” said the Rev. Dr. Loye Ashton, a professor religious studies at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss., who was the keynote speaker.

“Through interfaith dialogue, I have learned about the beliefs of others – and at the same time learned more about my own beliefs. What Muslims have taught me is how to be a better Christian.”

“True love for others is how we move from being merely human to being humane.”

Ashton is at work on a book about the influence of Fethullah Gulen, including a look at the organizations who have raged against Gulen’s message of hospitality and cooperation.

“Gulen teaches that conversation is an antidote to violence,” Ashton said. “We need to match a theology of certainty with a theology of humiliation. Gulen teaches that there is a moral imperative of mystery that reserves a place at the table for all who are of good heart.”

Gulen himself is influenced by Sufi Muslims, the mystical, joyful expression of Islam that emphasizes the rhythm and grace of God more than doctrine and dogma. That’s not to say that Sufi Muslims are not also observant Muslims – just that they value relationship, whether between God and themselves or between others and themselves – over rigid application of religious law.

Gulen is pro-science, pro-tolerance, pro-interfaith cooperation – and also very devoutly pro-faith.

I’m honored to have been chosen for an award by the group. And, with Fethullah Gulen, I pray that peace and hospitality will increase in every valley and on every mountaintop of the world, and that the bombers, shooters and destroyers of peace will lay down their weapons and take their places at the table of all humanity.

Source: Alabama, 18 April 2013


Related News

Ex-CIA Director: Mike Flynn and Turkish Officials Discussed Removal of Gulen from U.S. without Going through Legal Process

James Woolsey says he attended a September meeting where other participants, including then-Trump adviser Mike Flynn, talked of moving Fethullah Gulen back to Turkey without going through U.S. extradition process.

The cleric, the coup and the conspiracy

In Pennsylvania, Gülen and his aides scrambled to denounce the coup attempt as it unfolded. “As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt,” Gülen said in a statement, referring to Turkey’s spotty democratic history. The U.S. also was quick to condemn the coup attempt, but not quick enough for many in the Turkish government and media.

Turkish American Society of Ohio Seeks to Foster Friendship and Understanding Between Cultures

In existence since 2010 and headquartered in Columbus, The Turkish American Society of Ohio’s mission is to introduce Turkish culture into American Society. Through their efforts in dialog and unique community services they also seek to promote friendship and understanding between cultures.

Obama meets Turkish school’s award-winning students

Four students from the Pinnacle Academy, established by Turkish entrepreneurs in the greater Washington, D.C., area, were at the White House on Monday to present their project, which took first place in the National Engineers Week Future City Competition in the capital’s metropolitan area in February. On Monday President Barack Obama hosted the White House Science […]

Fethullah Gulen’s Thanksgiving Message

I pray that God, the Most Merciful provide food, shelter, and clothing to those who are hungry, homeless or otherwise in poverty, through the generosity in the hearts of their neighbors and fellow citizens. For those who are suffering from disease or strife, May God end their suffering and provide them comfort.

Hizmet turns theories of Millennium Development Goals into practice

The 2015 Millennium Development Goals of the UN were discussed in the international panel, with participants agreeing that the goals can only be sustainably achieved through education.

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

New York Times Editorial Board: Turkey’s Relentless Attack on the Press

Haylamaz: Real Islam should be sought by looking at the Prophet Muhammad’s life

How does the Hizmet movement fare with democracy?

Time For Gulen Movement To Leave Turkey?

Why didn’t Chuck Hagel visit Turkey?

Turkey’s failed coup has spread to the classroom in EU states

Recruiting based on ‘color lists’ breach of Constitution

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News