August 22, 2010

‘Gülen movement offers real alternative to clashes and conflict in society’

Can Bahadır Yüce

The Gülen movement has long been a part of Turkey’s social landscape. But in recent years interest in the movement has gone far beyond Turkey’s borders of the country, with discussions of Fethullah Gülen and his ideas in forums and platforms including the Arab League, the Russian Parliament, the European Parliament and the British House of Lords.

There have been many attempts to define this civil initiative started by Gülen, a Turkish Islamic scholar well known for his teachings promoting mutual understanding and tolerance between cultures. In his recent book, titled “100 Soruda Fethullah Gülen ve Hareketi” (Fethullah Gülen and His Movement in 100 Questions), Professor Doğu Ergil, a distinguished political scientist, defines the movement as the only civil society organization that can represent Turkey’s impact, culture and human relations to the outside world comprehensively and effectively. Rice University Professor Jill Carroll, the author of the book “A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gülen’s Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse,” says the movement is open to innovation and represents a chance for humanity.