September 11, 2012

Special Issue on Fethullah Gulen - Muslim World Journal, July 2005

This article is the introduction to the Muslim World journal's Special Issue titled Islam in Contemporary Turkey: The Contributions of Fethullah Gulen.

Dr. Zeki Saritoprak

Turkey has become increasingly interesting to Scholars of Middle East and Islamic studies as the only Muslim nation in NATO and now will be starting full membership negotiations with the European Union, where it can bridge Islamic and Western civilizations. There is no doubt that Islam constitutes one of the most essential elements of Turkish culture---ninety-nine percent of the Turkish population is Muslim. The subject of this special issue, Fethullah Gülen (1941-) is a very influential Islamic personality in modern day Turkey. His influence not only comes from his charismatic religious personality but also from the large array of educational and social institutions that have been established by his many admirers who take his advice and recommendations very seriously. The Muslim World journal, by dedicating this special issue to a prominent figure like Gulen and religiously motivated civic movement he initiated, would contribute greatly to the understanding of Turkish Islamic modernities.