Prof. Greg Barton, Monash University
There are many ways of summarising Fethullah Gülen’s thought and describing his social activism. He is, first and foremost, an alim, a traditional Islamic scholar with a deep understanding of the Qur’an, the Sunnah, Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic history. He is also a Sufi, though he does not belong to any particular tarikah, or Sufi brotherhood. His most immediate source of influence is the writings of the great Turkish Sufi scholar Said Nursi (1878-1960), writer of the influential multi-volume commentary on the Qur’an, Risale-i Nur, and who himself was a Sufi in the line of the great Persian/Anatolian poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273). Gülen shares with Nursi the conviction that interfaith dialogue and cooperation between Jews, Muslims and Christians should be key concerns of modern Muslim intellectuals. But whereas Nursi, principally through the legacy of the Risale-i Nur, has inspired millions of followers who meet regularly to read his work, Gülen has inspired a vast social movement concerned with practical religious philanthropy on a grand scale.
This religious philanthropy can be understand simply as revolving around three axial themes or elements: a deep desire for dialogue, a love of learning and a passion for service.
March 18, 2011
March 16, 2011
Fethullah Gülen's Condolences to People of Japan
M. Fethullah Gülen
The tragic earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in Japan, a nation-with whom we have always maintained friendly relations, has upset us all and our nation feels deep hurt for the Japanese people.
I have faith and trust that the hardworking and dauntless Japanese nation will overcome this tragedy and heal their wounds in a short period of time, as they have done in the past.
We extend our compassion and loyalty to the Japanese people, who have always rushed to our aid in times of flood and earthquake in our country, and we want them to know that we stand by them during this difficult time.
The tragic earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in Japan, a nation-with whom we have always maintained friendly relations, has upset us all and our nation feels deep hurt for the Japanese people.
I have faith and trust that the hardworking and dauntless Japanese nation will overcome this tragedy and heal their wounds in a short period of time, as they have done in the past.
We extend our compassion and loyalty to the Japanese people, who have always rushed to our aid in times of flood and earthquake in our country, and we want them to know that we stand by them during this difficult time.
March 15, 2011
Fethullah Gülen donates $15,000 to Japan victims
Today's Zaman
Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen has donated $15,000 to support post-disaster relief efforts in Japan, which was shaken by a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunamis last week.
In the aftermath of the massive earthquake that hit the country, Gülen donated $15,000, earned from sales of his books and audio recordings, to leading Turkish charity association, Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There), to support earthquake victims. Kimse Yok Mu has been carrying out relief efforts in Tokyo and Sendai with a nine-member team.
Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen has donated $15,000 to support post-disaster relief efforts in Japan, which was shaken by a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunamis last week.
In the aftermath of the massive earthquake that hit the country, Gülen donated $15,000, earned from sales of his books and audio recordings, to leading Turkish charity association, Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There), to support earthquake victims. Kimse Yok Mu has been carrying out relief efforts in Tokyo and Sendai with a nine-member team.
March 13, 2011
Sex and the (Ergenekon) party
İhsan Yılmaz
It appears that some in and around the Republican People’s Party (CHP) habitually make use of sex cassettes to get rid of their opponents. In its golden age, our deep state and its civilian collaborators would prefer assassinations, playing safe. As it turns out, intrigues by sex videos do not always bring the intended results, and you may not be able to terminate a political opponent with them. But in the good old days, many thousands that the deep state did not like simply disappeared, and culprits -- who never tried to hide themselves -- were never caught.
Whatever you can say about Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rule in the country, you cannot say that they are having their opponents assassinated. Can anyone say with a clear conscience the same about our deep state? If the AK Party is politically manipulating the judicial system to have its innocent opponents tried in court, the party’s opponents should convince the public. It is obvious they have huge support not only in the Turkish media but in the Western media as well. But it is equally obvious that it is not the tremendous media support that the pro-Ergenekonians lack but convincing and credible arguments. They have never questioned the coups, assassinations, tortures and forced assimilation of minorities by the Kemalist establishment and the undemocratic practices of the state, but now suddenly have become worried that Turkey could become like Putin’s Russia. They lack and will always lack credibility.
It appears that some in and around the Republican People’s Party (CHP) habitually make use of sex cassettes to get rid of their opponents. In its golden age, our deep state and its civilian collaborators would prefer assassinations, playing safe. As it turns out, intrigues by sex videos do not always bring the intended results, and you may not be able to terminate a political opponent with them. But in the good old days, many thousands that the deep state did not like simply disappeared, and culprits -- who never tried to hide themselves -- were never caught.
Whatever you can say about Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rule in the country, you cannot say that they are having their opponents assassinated. Can anyone say with a clear conscience the same about our deep state? If the AK Party is politically manipulating the judicial system to have its innocent opponents tried in court, the party’s opponents should convince the public. It is obvious they have huge support not only in the Turkish media but in the Western media as well. But it is equally obvious that it is not the tremendous media support that the pro-Ergenekonians lack but convincing and credible arguments. They have never questioned the coups, assassinations, tortures and forced assimilation of minorities by the Kemalist establishment and the undemocratic practices of the state, but now suddenly have become worried that Turkey could become like Putin’s Russia. They lack and will always lack credibility.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
