Özcan Keleş, executive director of the London-based Dialogue Society charity, accepted the honorary doctorate on Thursday on behalf of Gülen at the university’s summer graduation convocation. “Fethullah Gülen considers this award as recognition of the work and efforts of what is known among academic circles as the Gülen movement or what Gülen himself prefers to call a movement of volunteers,” Keleş said.
Stating that by honoring Gülen the university honors all of those who are inspired by his teachings and example, he said the award connects the university to millions of people all around the world. “The aim of Gülen’s lifelong work and that of the movement he inspires is to contribute towards the development of a more humane society which is committed to the well-being of others,” he said.
Professor Elspeth Jones, international dean at the university, also made a speech on Gülen’s contribution to dialogue and education.
“The movement is local, civic and autonomous and its primary purpose is to contribute towards developing a fully humane society, durable peace and greater understanding. Gülen asserts that we are human first, Muslim or of any other religion or culture next. He stresses the importance of serving the community in which we live, and he is against any form of terrorist activity or violence,” she said.
The dean concluded her speech with Gülen’s remarks: “Be so tolerant that your bosom becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love of human beings. Let there be no troubled souls to whom you do not offer a hand and about whom you remain unconcerned.”
Gülen is a Turkish Islamic scholar well known for his teachings promoting mutual understanding and tolerance between cultures. One of the world’s most influential Islamic scholars, Gülen came out at the top of the list of “The World’s Top 20 Public Intellectuals” by the magazines Foreign Policy and Prospect in 2008. Now residing in the US, Gülen has pioneered educational activities in a number of countries along with efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the world. He has written nearly 50 books in Turkish, some of them translated into several languages.
Published on Today's Zaman, 19 July 2010, Monday
Related: An honorary doctorate by Leeds Metropolitan at the University's Summer Graduation
