Opinions
Fethullah Gülen and the role of nonviolence in a time of terror
Fethullah Gülen is unusual in adding a distinctly Islamic voice to the calls for a non-violent approach to conflict resolution. But how well do Gülen’s teachings on non-violence lead to peaceful transformation on the ground? Is his a static and passive approach bounded by dogma, or are we witnessing an innovative, active and self-aware spirit of transformation which really can lead to a new way of defining Islam in action?
A road less traveled
Education is only a part of the movement’s activities; its main attraction to large segments of Turkish society is its willingness to engage in dialogue with other religions and ideologies. It is an inclusive movement. The movement is always the first to condemn violent activities whenever and wherever they occur, regardless of who the perpetrators are.
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 […]
Muslim world in transition: Contributions of the Gülen Movement
A conference was held in London on Oct. 25-27 to discuss contributions of the Gülen movement, led by Fethullah Gülen. This conference was launched at the House of Lords and was attended by several members of parliament, lords, baronesses, newspaper editors, academics, dignitaries and high-ranking civil servants.
Islamic Renaissance in the Contemporary World
Dr. Muzaffar K. Awan April 2006 On November 12th and 13th, 2005 during a two-day international symposium at Rice University in Houston, Texas, I personally witnessed a Turkish Muslim intellectual’s contributions to the welfare of humanity being appreciated at the helm of an academic attention, and through debates of global scale. The symposium was attended […]
Turks in US Ditto: Dialogue
The interfaith dialogue symposium organized by the Niagara Foundation, a Turkish community foundation in the United States, began on Thursday. The Chicago Interfaith Gathering sponsored by several American academic institutions and non-governmental organizations met at the Chicago Cultural Center.
My Nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize is Fethullah Gulen
Fehmi Koru, Houston, Texas 15 October 2005 I do not have a voting right for Nobel nominations, but if I did, my nomination for the peace prize is ready: Fethullah Gulen. Of course, I know he’s controversial even in Turkey, he doesn’t appear in public anymore, he seldom grants interviews, yet nevertheless many in Turkey […]
Rising Value of Turkey: ‘The Gülen Movement’
HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE A series of articles published in Sabah daily about the Nur (Light) Community and the Gülen Movement ended yesterday. Emre Akoz made an evaluation on the final day of the series, which lasted 26 days. Mehmet Gundem’s article series begins with the announcement, “Interview to Shake the Agenda: 11 Days with Fethullah Gülen,” in […]
Turkish Schools and Fethullah Gulen
HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE Historian Ilber Ortayli made an excellent evaluation of Turkish schools abroad, at the First International University Education Congress, held in Fatih University last week. According to Mr. Ortayli, Turkey, a country where foreign schools rushed into a hundred years ago, has now reversed the tide. This is a historic achievement showing the greatness […]
Fethullah Gülen Offers Antidote For Terror
Fethullah Gülen responds as the voice of an intellect, in the name of Islam, to those who engage in brutal terrorist acts. His response is crucially important. Gülen presents a recommendation of culture based on tolerance. Thus far, the war against terrorism has been waged through the obstruction of terrorist activities, spearheaded by security units. It is impossible for Western countries to do more.
Turkish Islam and Fethullah Gulen
ŞAHİN ALPAY Many studies concerning Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish religious leader scholar and his movement have been published. The book published by Syracuse University in the United States last month is, however, the most important academic study so far. The book entitled “Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gulen Movement” is edited by John […]
A new book by Esposito and Yavuz on ‘The Gülen Movement’
Ali H. Aslan Teachings of Fethullah Gülen which have inspired hundreds and thousands of Turkish people work for global education, peace, and the spread of tolerance, has become the subject of a new scholarly book in the U.S. The book entitled, ‘Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gülen Movement,’ was published by one of […]
Turkish Schools Struggle to Exist in Afghanistan
Selcuk Gultasli, May 12, 2001 Turkish schools founded by Turkish entrepreneurs in Afghanistan in 1995 are now struggling to stay in the country after being accused by the Taliban administration of spreading Turkish nationalism and making pan-Turkic propaganda. The Taliban administration, which is not recognized by Turkey, has been applying one of the most radical […]
