New Book Analyzes Fethullah Gulen's Perspective on Literature

A versatile personality, Fethullah Gulen is an architect of soul and sense who confronts his era and its values within the parameters of a deep-rooted civilization and an envisioned future while also inviting his sympathizers along this confrontation. It goes without saying that the meaning such a versatile personality ascribes to literature and art is highly distinct and more comprehensive than what a typical man of letter does.

In the book, “Within a Vision For Civilization, Fethullah Gulen and Literature*”, which is composed of notes along “a journey to understand” Gulen’s views on language, art, aesthetics, literature, poetry and novel have been illustrated and reviewed with reference to Gulen’s grand ideal of life, in other words, his vision and understanding of civilization and future.

Consequently, the interpretations and judgments about his views on literature and art will be deficient in terms of their references and will not fall in place without initially clarifying Gulen’s understanding of civilization.

It is not even enough by itself to present a perspective of civilization, as what primarily matters to Gulen is to have a straight mind, belief and national culture. These values naturally flourish as they encounter moral and material symbols along the way without deviating from the origin. They eventually flow into a basin of abstract and concrete activities with the potential in its core to help the human reach the universal message. This flow in question can be paraphrased as “a nation’s understanding of thought, belief and art.”

*This is one of many possible translations; prospective English title might vary.

Comprised from articles published [in Turkish] on Haber7 and Aksiyon Magazine, 11 February 2013, Monday