Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Muslim scholar, thinker, author, poet, opinion leader and educational activist. who is actively promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue for over a decade now, has strongly condemned the brutal atrocities being committed by the ISIS terrorist group hiding behind a false religious rhetoric.
Currently based in New York, renowned Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen in a press release said: “I deplore the brutal atrocities being committed by the ISIS terrorist group hiding behind a false religious rhetoric and join the people of conscience from around the world in calling for these perpetrators to immediately cease their cruel and inhuman acts. Any form of attack, suppression or persecution of minorities or innocent civilians is an act that contradicts the principles of the Qur’an and the tradition of our Prophet upon whom be peace and blessings.
ISIS members are either completely ignorant of the spirit of Islam and its blessed messenger, or their actions are designed to serve their individual interests or those of their political masters. Regardless, their actions represent those of a terrorist group and they should be labeled as such and be brought to justice.
The goal of religion is to establish peace based on universal human rights, rule of law and high human values in the world. Any interpretations to the contrary, including the abuse of religion to help fuel conflicts, are either false or deceitful. In true Islamic thought based on its core principles, every mean to a legitimate end should also be legitimate itself. To think or act otherwise is nothing but Machiavellism.
I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased in Iraq and Syria, and to the family and friends of the slain journalist James Foley. May God give them patience and perseverance, and alleviate their suffering. I pray for the immediate release of other hostages and ask God, the Merciful to lead us all into a world of mutual respect and peace. I invite everybody to join together in this prayer.”
Fethullah Gülen is presently engaged in promoting the cooperation of civilizations as opposed to clash, through dialogue, mutual understanding and gathering around shared values. For him science and faith are not only compatible but complementary as well. He profoundly motivates people encouraging them to undertake scientific research and technological advancement for the good of entire humankind.
“Democracy is the only viable political system of governance. Religion should not be turned into political ideology. All citizens should take an informed and responsible part in political life of their country,” says Fethullah Gülen, and wants others to follow sincerely.
Fethullah Gülen does not believe in rhetorics, but is a man of action and remains steadfast in his approach. His vision and ideas are firmly taking shape globally in the form of civic projects. By some estimates, several hundred educational organizations such as K-12 schools, universities, and language schools have been established around the world inspired by Fethullah Gülen and sponsored by local entrepreneurs, altruistic educators and dedicated parents.
Meanwhile, the New Delhi-based Indialogue Foundation, which is also a part of Fethullah Gülen’s endeavor in India for interfaith harmony and peace building, has also vehemently condemned and denounced the ISIS (Islamic State of Syria and Iraq) terrorist group, their false representation of Islam, and killings of innocent people.
The Indialogue Foundation in a press release issued recently said: “People all over the world are stunned by the brutality, violence and atrocities being carried out by this terror outfit against Christians, Shias, Kurds, Yazidis, Turkmens and other minority communities in the region. We hope the international community will come together — united in the power of our respective faiths and in our respect for humanity — to stop ISIS from killing any more people. We are all part of the same human family. Let us mourn together and, once we have summoned our resolve, let us act as one. We express our heart-felt sympathies and solidarity with the survivors of those whose near and dear ones have been mercilessly killed, and the tens of thousands of Iraq’s minorities who have been dispossessed, forced to flee their homes and are now living in extremely difficult circumstances.”
Published on Indian Muslim Observer, 31 August 2014, Sunday
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