Interview with John L. Esposito
An alternative elite group is emerging in Turkey, and Turkey is moving at a good pace in terms of democratization. Certain people speaking to the American audience define the debate in Turkey as a clash between secularists and Islamists, but it is more an issue of democratic versus more authoritarian politics.
In the past you might not have been able to get a position in a university if you had a religious profile, but now, one has to move beyond that. The Turkish government is working with the EU, US and Israel independently on the issues that it sees as in its own national interest.
February 5, 2011
February 4, 2011
Fethullah Gülen's Response to the "Clash of Civilizations" Thesis
Prof. Richard Penaskovic, Auburn University
What does Fethullah Gülen say about the clash of civilizations? Gülen does not mince words. He fears that such talk about a clash of civilizations might become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Gülen notes that as a consequence of such a claim readers may form expectations in the very same way they expect an answer to prayer. By arguing that the future will involve a clash of civilizations, Huntington converts such an expectation into a purposeful goal. Gülen fears that with such a goal in mind, various policies and strategies will then be marshaled to reach and attain such a goal.
Gülen also has a different vision of the future than does Mr. Huntington. Where Huntington speaks of conflict between civilizations and variant cultures, Gülen is much more sanguine and upbeat about the future. For example, Gülen speaks to the importance of knowledge and education, which if done properly can avert any clash of civilizations. Mr. Gülen equates knowledge and power. Everything in the future will be in the orbit of knowledge.
What does Fethullah Gülen say about the clash of civilizations? Gülen does not mince words. He fears that such talk about a clash of civilizations might become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Gülen notes that as a consequence of such a claim readers may form expectations in the very same way they expect an answer to prayer. By arguing that the future will involve a clash of civilizations, Huntington converts such an expectation into a purposeful goal. Gülen fears that with such a goal in mind, various policies and strategies will then be marshaled to reach and attain such a goal.
Gülen also has a different vision of the future than does Mr. Huntington. Where Huntington speaks of conflict between civilizations and variant cultures, Gülen is much more sanguine and upbeat about the future. For example, Gülen speaks to the importance of knowledge and education, which if done properly can avert any clash of civilizations. Mr. Gülen equates knowledge and power. Everything in the future will be in the orbit of knowledge.
February 3, 2011
Turkey is our guiding star, says Kyrgyz prime minister
Aydın Pazarcı
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan today. The two-day visit, during which the prime minister will be joined by a large delegation, including State Minister Zafer Çağlayan as well as many business figures and journalists, is notable for being the first such high-profile visit in seven years.
In a pre-visit interview with Today’s Zaman, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev said: “Turkey is our North Star, and as Turkey grows and develops, it stands as an example for us. It opens the way forward for its brother nations.” Speaking very good Turkish, Atambayev underscored the importance of this visit by Erdoğan, noting that it means much from the perspective of showing support for the newly formed Kyrgyz government.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed. Turkey, our brother nation, has always been by our side. Our nation has had a particularly trying time since last April, and we have noted Turkey’s presence by our side during these times. Turkey has not withheld a single act of generosity from us,” Atambayev said.
In a pre-visit interview with Today’s Zaman, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev said: “Turkey is our North Star, and as Turkey grows and develops, it stands as an example for us. It opens the way forward for its brother nations.” Speaking very good Turkish, Atambayev underscored the importance of this visit by Erdoğan, noting that it means much from the perspective of showing support for the newly formed Kyrgyz government.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed. Turkey, our brother nation, has always been by our side. Our nation has had a particularly trying time since last April, and we have noted Turkey’s presence by our side during these times. Turkey has not withheld a single act of generosity from us,” Atambayev said.
February 2, 2011
Fethullah Gulen’s Care for All Creation as a Means to Nonviolence
Prof. Eileen Eppig, College of Notre Dame
The nonviolent and peaceful lifestyle of Fethullah Gulen reflects the Sufi belief that love is the essential element in every creature. Gulen’s own love extends to the entire universe, which is meant to be “read” by human beings in order to achieve faith, knowledge, and closeness to God. With traditional Sufi theology, Gulen relates the inner meaning of the Qur’an to the inner meaning of the natural world. The Qur’an and the universe are two expressions of the same truth.
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| Fethullah Gulen |
The Qur’an calls on human beings to study creation for the sake of knowing the Creator. The natural world, like the Qur’an, reveals the Divine Names and so has a kind of sacredness in it. The universe teaches human beings to demonstrate compassion, not only to other humans, but to every living creature. Gulen calls this “the grand orchestra of love.” All creation is to be loved in the way of God’s loving, replacing violence and hatred with peace and harmony.
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