Fethullah Gülen’s Statement on Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire


Date posted: April 18, 2019

Fethullah Gülen

I was deeply saddened by the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, which damaged one of the world’s most important treasures. 

Notre Dame Cathedral has witnessed crucial events throughout France’s history and has been the inspiration for world-renowned works of art, gaining a special place in the hearts of the people of France. The destruction caused to this building is a major loss for humanity. 

The messages of solidarity from different parts of the world in response to the fire show the depths of our human empathy and brotherhood. I hope that the heartening scenes that emerged from this tragic event will be repeated whenever there is loss of human life, natural resources, and cultural treasures, no matter where it occurs. Coming together to help in times of tragedy contributes to the spirit of worldwide brotherhood. 

I believe that the people of France will reconstruct this historic building and fully restore its magnificence.  I extend my condolences to the French President Emmanuel Macron, Archbishop Michel Aupetit, the rector Patrick Jacquin, ministers of Notre Dame Cathedral, and the people of France. I invite everyone to support the efforts to reconstruct this beautiful Cathedral. 

Source: Alliance for Shared Values , April 16, 2019


Related News

The Einstein of the Islamic world

BÜLENT KENEŞ LONDON – Let’s think about a man born into an ordinary family of meager means in a suburban Anatolian town. He sets out on that adventure called life all alone, deprived of a formal education. But he educates and raises himself through unconventional means. Despite this lack of a formal education everything he […]

New book looks closer into Hizmet Movement with questions, answers

ŞULE KULU, İSTANBUL A newly published book by Professor Muhammed Çetin, a sociologist who has done extensive academic work on social movements and who now serves as a lawmaker in the Turkish Parliament, offers comprehensive information on the faith-based Gülen movement, answering hundreds of questions on the movement. The book, titled “Hizmet: Questions and Answers […]

“They won’t believe,” he said

AHMET KURUCAN “They won’t believe,” he said. “They won’t believe that we work for peace and the salvation of humanity. They won’t believe that we endeavor to create an island of peace where all of humanity can live in brotherhood. They won’t believe that you do not have expectations for this world or the next. […]

Inside the eye of Turkey’s political storm, in rural Pennsylvania

A moderate preacher rooted in the Sufi mystic tradition of Islam, Mr. Gulen is known for emphasizing interfaith dialogue. But Mr. Erdogan calls Mr. Gulen and his followers a “cancer” and a “terrorist organization” that is building a “parallel state.” The rancour is personal.

Mississippi group, national officials denounce ISIS

The Dialogue Institute is a non-profit educational organization founded by Turkish-Americans and their friends. Its website says the group serves “to promote mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among people of diverse faiths and cultures by creating opportunities for direct communication and meaningful shared experiences.”

To embrace the spirit of acceptance and tolerance

The world has judged the two attacks in Paris and Brussels, which claimed a number of lives and damaged property, as associated with Islamic-inspired terrorism. The attacks also delivered the psychological message that acts of terror and hatred can occur even in the most prosperous and highly secured countries that respect diversity and human rights. […]

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

Turkish Airlines stops distribution of Zaman and Today’s Zaman on its planes

Today’s Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bülent Keneş released pending trial

“We will celebrate a new world”

Dozens of the anti-Gülen and anti-Gülen Movement books on the shelves

Steller: For Turks, post-coup purges make U.S. safe harbor

Azeri NGOs harshly criticize Zeynalov’s deportation from Turkey

Probe launched into daily Taraf for attempting to cause chaos

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News