Concerns, the Community [Gulen Movement] and response

Hüseyin Gülerce

Any reference to “the Community” in Turkey prompts people to think of those who have adopted Fethullah Gülen’s advice, his style and his method in serving this religion.

The word “community” refers to a religion formation and therefore, is accompanied by an implication of organization. The problems or concerns about the Gülen movement can largely be attributed to this implication and the perceptions resulting from it.

Are we to wait for our Fethullah Gulen?

Serhii Lashchenko

Fethullah Gulen

I first heard about Fethullah Gulen during last year’s Ukraine-Turkey symposium on “Integration problems of scientific, educational and intellectual potential in the process of state creation.” He was among the first Islamic scientists to comment on the terrorist acts of September 11, and the tragic events in Beslan. In his interviews Gulen emphasized: “The murder of one innocent being is equal to the murder of the whole of humanity.” In the Turkish thinker’s opinion, religion in its essence is the furthest away from social, moral and spiritual violence.”

Lessons from Turkey

Usman Mujib Shami

The Deep State, the name given by pro-democracy Turks to the alliance of the judiciary and military, has gradually lost strength and authority at the hands of the wisdom and vision displayed by the political leadership, a quality rarely found amongst the leaders of our country.

Think of a country marked with a history of frequent military interventions, political instability, human rights violations, and fierce standoffs between its right and left wings; a place where thousands have lost their lives to the quarrels triggered by the religious, ideological, and ethnic differences. Reading these lines, you might be thinking of Pakistan.

Towards ‘the conference-i kamil’ (1)

İhsan Yılmaz

Int. Gulen Conference in Chicago

As a member of its editorial board, I am attending the Chicago 2010 International Conference on the Gülen Movement.

The conference organizers rightly highlighted: “As we complete the first decade of the 21st century, the advancements in communication and transportation have yet to enable better mutual understanding and appreciation among fellow humans. Misinformation, fear and hatred continue to influence public opinion.”

Among many other victims, it is obvious that the Gülen movement has suffered from these as well. “While the movement has been praised as a catalyst for creating a better world, it has also been criticized by some and the motivations of the participants called [into] question. This international conference has been designed to explore the movement from a social sciences and humanities perspective in order to provide a clearer picture of what the movement participants support and believe,” said organizers.