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

Closer look at empire of cleric accused in Turkey coup attempt

Turkey’s crackdown of those suspected in the failed July 15 military coup widens, with the firing of 492 people at its top Islamic authority. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is zeroing in on a Muslim cleric living in rural Pennsylvania, whom he accuses of masterminding the coup attempt.

Monday Talk with Alp Aslandogan on Gulen Movement and Recent Coup Attempt in Turkey

Vocal Europe: What sort of link does Alliance for Shared Values have with the movement in general and with Mr Gulen in particular? Alp Aslandogan:  Alliance for Shared Values (AFSV) has six regional partner organizations and AFSV serves as a loose umbrella for these organizations. They focus on interfaith and intercultural dialogue, helping new immigrants […]

Fethullah Gülen’s Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Sri Lanka Explosions

I was shocked and deeply saddened by the devastating news of explosions in Sri Lanka. I firmly condemn this horrific attack, which turned a day meant for the celebration of Easter by Christians around the world into bloodshed.

Istanbul police display hundreds of books among evidence of ‘terror’

Police seized Gülen’s 1,500 books; 24 CDs featuring Gülen’s speeches; TL 435,200 ($148,000) along with $99,200 and 700 euros; several laptops; two guns and some digital data, during operations targeting the alleged terrorist network of the movement.

Al-Zuhayli says Gülen’s ideas hope of humanity

Leading Islamic scholar Al-Zuhayli said the ideas of well-respected Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen stand as a hope for humanity. Leading Islamic scholar Wahba Mustafa al-Zuhayli from Syria, a participant of the two-day “Prophet’s Path Symposium” held over the weekend, October 9and 10, 2010, said the ideas of well-respected Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen stand as a hope for humanity. […]

Why did Fethullah Gülen visit John Paul II?

One of the best-selling weeklies of Turkey, Aksiyon, made Fethullah Gülen’s meeting with Pope John Paul II a cover story on February 2, 1998 and published an published an interview with him. Gülen visited the Pope on February 9, 1998. A summarized excerpt from that interview follows.

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

Turkish group among first to send aid to ‘Yolanda’ victims

Turkey’s targeted teachers find refuge in Vietnam

Gulen-linked org’s statement on Turkish Govt’s arrest of pro-Kurdish Parliamentarians

Opposition up in arms over Erdoğan’s badmouthing of Turkish schools abroad during visit to Ethiopia

Northern Illinois Conference Leaders Join Delegation to Turkey

Swiss investigate alleged Turkish attempt to kidnap businessman

Bank Asya sells stakes in 2 subsidiaries

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News