Fethullah Gulen issued messages of condolence for victims of the ISIS attacks in Iraq and Bangladesh


Date posted: July 5, 2016

I condemn in the strongest terms the brutal terrorist attacks that took place in Baghdad, Iraq, and Dhaka, Bangladesh, that claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, including many children. These attacks are grave crimes against humanity and carve deep wounds in our society’s collective consciousness.

On this sad occasion, I must reiterate that any form of harm against civilians, persecution of minorities or sectarian violence completely contradicts the principles of the Qur’an and the Muslim Prophetic tradition.

ISIS reportedly claimed responsibility for both attacks. No matter how they name themselves and whatever claims they make, the perpetrators of such cruel attacks should be recognized for what they truly are: groups of people who, under the spell of a violent extremist mentality, have become monstrous terrorists that deny human beings their lives and dignity.

I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased in Iraq and Bangladesh. May God give them strength, patience and perseverance, and alleviate their suffering. I also pray for God to lead us all toward a day when the world may be free of the cancer of terrorism.

About Fethullah Gulen

Fethullah Gulen is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades‐long commitment to interfaith tolerance and altruism has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Gulen is the honorary chairman of the Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Brussels, Belgium; Foundation of Journalists and Writers, Istanbul, Turkey; and Rumi Forum, Washington DC.

About Alliance for Shared Values

The Alliance for Shared Values (AFSV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a voice for dialogue organizations affiliated with Hizmet, a civil society movement inspired by prominent preacher and peace advocate Fethullah Gülen. Based in New York, the Alliance strives to promote peace and to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against any or all ethnic, cultural and religious communities. To learn more about the Alliance please visit www.afsv.org.

Source: The Alliance for Shared Values , July 4, 2016


Related News

US Unlikely to ‘Speed Up’ Gulen’s Extradition to Turkey

Turkey has formally requested that the U.S. government extradite Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen from the state of Pennsylvania where he has lived in self-imposed exile for 17 years. Turkey is pushing for quick extradition, suggesting that U.S.-Turkish relations are at stake. But the burden of proof rests squarely on Ankara, and if it cannot sufficiently prove its accusations against Gulen, the extradition request will be refused.

Fethullah Gulen Cited among Watkins’ 2019 the Most Spiritually Influential 100 Living People

There are several factors that were taken into account when compiling the list. The person has to have made a unique and spiritual contribution on a global scale, has to be alive, is frequently googled, appears in Nielsen Data, has a Wikipedia page, and is actively talked about throughout the Internet. This list is meant to celebrate the positive influence of today’s spiritual teachers.

Fethullah Gulen’s message in memory of Nelson Mandela

We pay tribute to the honorable life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, who devoted himself to the principles of peace, democracy, social justice and equality. Faced with extraordinary challenges and adversity, he chose reconciliation over retaliation and, in doing so, set an example of living a more noble life.

French editor says Gülen’s messages on anti-terrorism revolutionary

A French editor-in-chief has praised the anti-terrorism messages in an article written by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen and published by a prestigious French daily last month, describing them as revolutionary and one of the “signs of hope” in 2015, which he said was marked by terror and fear.

From political Islam to Islamic terrorism: Is there a way out?

The declaration of the “Islamic state” and the “caliph” under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), now called the IS, in the contagious parts of Iraq and Syria has brought the issue of Islamic militancy and terrorism to the center stage of Middle Eastern politics.

More Divisions, More Democracy

Foreign journalists writing about Turkey like to focus on the most fundamental divide in Turkish society: the rift between religious conservatives and secularists. But these days an internal clash is raging among the conservatives themselves. And it could be a boon for Turkish democracy.

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

Fethullah Gulen Cited among Watkins’ 2019 the Most Spiritually Influential 100 Living People

Gov’t reshuffling justice system to punish Hizmet

Talking with the “Religious Terrorist” that Turkey Wants Trump to Extradite

State Islam versus civic Islam

In Blow to Erdogan, Turkish Court Halts Closing of Schools Tied to His Rival

Former intel chief calls for use of ASALA, MOSSAD tactics to kill Gülen followers

Unity in diversity

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News