Opinions
Dialogue Eurasia: Humanitarian Davos
Hüseyin Gülerce There has never been a formal atmosphere in DAP. It is not without reason that DAP is frequently referred to as the humanitarian version of the Davos meetings. DAP entertains humanitarian values and imparts loyalty and acknowledges that the meeting was inspired by the ideas of Fethullah Gülen. The recently published WikiLeaks documents made a mess […]
Pillar of Society or Threat to Democracy?
In an era rocked by political unrest and military coups, Gülen called for peace and dialogue and condemned violence and terrorism, quoting the great masters of Islamic mysticism, Muhyiddin-i Ibn Arabi and Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, who showed the “path to true enlightenment through spirituality and love”.
Gulen Movement’s Global Appeal: Reflections from Chicago
Kadri Gürsel Yesterday, in the column I talked about the 12.000 “ashuras” in Chicago by the supporters of the Gulen Movement. Ashura, called Noah’s Pudding in English, is said to represent “living together in peace”. Chickpeas, bean, wheat, and some dried fruits are among the ingredients of Ashura that creates a mixed taste. But while […]
Are we to wait for our Fethullah Gulen?
Serhii LASHCHENKO The power of the Turkish philosopher is that he gradually managed to captivate hundreds of thousand of people with his ideas. How did he do that? Through schools. As a good gardener that created his bountiful garden for years and decades, Fethullah Gulen directed his pupils toward consecutive and persistent transmission of knowledge […]
The Global Imam
Suzan Hansen wrote an article about Mr. Gulen on The New Republic Magazine. She is trying to answer the question: What does the leader of the world’s most influential Islamic movement really want? What does the leader of the world’s most influential Islamic movement really want? Suzy Hansen November 10, 2010 The New Republic (Full content […]
The Crisis in Turkey?
John L. Esposito In the past week, several alarmist pieces, including Soner Cagaptay’s “What’s Really Behind Turkey’s Coup Arrests?’ and Daniel Pipes’ “Crisis in Turkey,” have warned of a mortal crisis that threatens Turkey’s future and its relationship with Europe and the US. Both are particularly exasperated by the continued arrest and indictment of senior […]
“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. […]
Fethullah Gülen: Even democracy needs a metaphysical dimension
Rainer Hermann There is no obstacle to democracy in Islam, says Fethullah Gulen. However, even democracy needs a metaphysical dimension. As there are Christian, Jewish and Buddhist democrats, there could also be Muslim democrats. Western World is disputing with Islam. Muslims also have some responsibility for this attitude: the Taliban is practicing the ‘stoning sentence’ […]
‘I am just Fethullah the son of Ramiz’
During my week long visit to the esteemed Fethullah Gülen, we occasionally got together with around eight to 10 people to converse over tea. I would like to share the thoughts that resonated with me by referencing the notes that I took during those get-togethers:Egocentrism (selfishness) is a block of ice. It is very difficult to melt it by throwing it into a pool of modesty.
Turkey-Kurdistan Regional Government ties: How and why did they improve this much?
ABDULLA HAWEZ ABDULLA I remember how relations between the Turkish government and northern Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) used to be. Both sides were ambivalent about how to deal with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and had to wrangle over the matter. But these thoughts became obsolete after 2009 and transformed into marvelous relations. […]
Gulen movement becoming victim of its own legend
I don’t know whether they are aware of it, but a danger that needs to be taken very seriously awaits the Gulen movement. In the eyes of the Turkish society, which is believing of conspiracy theories, the Gulen movement is mythicized beyond its real dimensions. The power and influence of the Gulen movement is being so exaggerated that if no precautions are taken, this imagined power will one day destroy it.
