Hira Magazine Brings Together Arab Scholars in Istanbul

Gulen conference by Hira Magazine, Istanbul

Egypt’s prominent scholars came together at a conference titled “According to Gulen, the Basic Dynamics of the Resurrection” on Thursday in Istanbul. The Egyptian scholars have shared the results of their study on “the horizon of thought” of the scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Members of the Egyptian Parliament Visited the Turkish School in Cairo

About 40 members of the Egyptian Parliament visited the Salahaldin International Turkish School in Cairo. They had dinner at Turkish School with their families before their upcoming trip to Turkey. Turkish ambassador to Egypt Huseyin Avni Botsali hosted the dinner. Students of Turkish school sang songs in Arabic and in English after the dinner.

Botsali mentioned in his speech that Turkey sincerely supports democratic improvement in Egypt. He emphasized that both Turkey and Egypt must overcome poverty and ignorance in order to take the right place in world politics.

Turkish, Pakistani teachers observe ‘their’ day

International Teachers’ Day was observed by Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges system as Turkish teachers were joined in by parents and students to acknowledge the contributions of the faculty members towards services for better education, training and nurturing the younger generations in Pakistan.

A Classic Hatchet Job

Scott C. Alexander

In response to the Stephen Schwartz's recent article that appeared on Gatestone Institute's website:

I am puzzled by the fact that a man as seemingly intelligent and articulate as Mr. Schwartz appears to have deliberately misread the Op-Ed piece by Mr. Gülen. I say this because, in the very beginning of Mr. Schwartz's critique, he clearly demonstrates that he has no intention of striving for even the least degree of objectivity and fairness in his analysis of Gülen's remarks. In fact, I am saddened to say that what Mr. Schwartz attempts to offer as a trenchant critique of Gülen and the global Gönüllüler Hareketi ("Volunteers' Movement") amounts to little more than a hatchet job on a religious leader who has inspired thousands, perhaps millions, of men and women to a reawakening of their faith and a faith-based commitment to service.

In Houston, a celebration

Yavuz Baydar

Not at all surprising, a trip to Houston, Texas, demands thorough preparation to spend time in a hothouse. At this time of the year, you feel the humidity at its worst, which helps you understand why the vastly spread cityscape is one of the most air-conditioned places on earth.

Yet, it is a magnet that attracts more and more people because of the work it offers, its vibrant industries and the chances it gives for a good life. Despite the fact that it is a location no Native American tribe ever chose to settle due to such unpleasant living conditions, mosquito assaults, etc., it is the fourth largest city in the US, covering 660 square miles (1062 square kilometers).

An untold African story: Gulen Movement activities

Emre Çelik *

Kudos to them! I had the privilege of traveling to Africa recently. It was somewhat a whirlwind tour of 4 countries - South Africa, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Kenya and Ethiopia. It was full of many surprises. I hope to share some of my thoughts and feelings over the course some words in this article.


Fethullah Gulen

The purpose of this journey was to discover and note the Hizmet activities (commonly referred to as the Gulen Movement in academic circles). For the uninitiated, Hizmet is a loosely connected group of individuals and NGOs inspired by the ideas and ideals of Fethullah Gulen - a Turkish Muslim scholar and thinker. The movement's activities span some 140 or so countries occupying an important place in the field of education, intercultural dialogue, health and relief activities. The main emphasis is a selfless approach to serving all others while personally gaining God's pleasure.

The Gülen Effect: Filipino Muslims, Christians connect for peace

Suat Erguvan

Harmony, tolerance stem from Turkish schools

Most children of the picturesque city of Zamboanga in the Philippines’ troubled south are groomed to be cautious in making friends believing in a different religions.

Zamboanga Peninsula, the sixth most populous region and the third geographically largest in the Philippines, is home to 70 per cent Christians and 30% percent Buddhist and Muslim people.

South African President Applauds New Turkish Mosque

The Nizamiye Mosque -
(Photo: Madelene Cronjé)

Johannesburg - South Africa's tourism is set to benefit from the first mosque built in South Africa to cater for the Turkish Islamic community, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

Speaking at the official opening of the mosque - a first on the continent of Africa and the largest religious complex in the southern hemisphere - Zuma said the facility will help create greater understanding and tolerance between diverse religions.

Place and Role of Tourism in the Intercultural Dialogue

Dedicated to September 27 World Tourism Day, a conference on "The role and place of tourism in the intercultural dialogue", was held in the Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism in preparation for the World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, which will take place in May 2013.

Fethullah Gülen on “Political Islam” versus “Islamic Duty”

Fabio Vicini *

Fethullah Gülen thinks that in order to spread its beneficial effects, the religious message should reach as many members of society as possible. However, he rejects any political use of Islam. He argues religion cannot be yielded to party needs because it cannot be reduced to an ideological instrument. In his words politics “darkens religion’s spirit, for religion belongs to everyone” (1). This does not mean he is refusing secular forms of governance. In his discourses he upholds democracy, which, in his opinion, is the most fair form of political organization known to men.

Fethullah Gulen on "Political Islam"

Q: In a time when political Islam has become very popular, what are your thoughts on the relationship between Islam and politics?

Fethullah Gulen: In my opinion, people have either gone too far or not far enough with regards to understanding the relationship between Islam and politics. Some have said that the religion of Islam has no relationship with politics; others have perceived the religion as politics itself, ignoring the varied and rich aspects of religion. In the Holy Qur’an, there are verses concerning administration and politics. The Prophet’s practices also occupy an important place in this regard. For example, the Qur’anic terms “ulu al-amr” (those who rule), “ita’at” (obedience to the rulers), “shura” (consultation), “harb” (war), and “sulh” (peace), are all examples of some Qur’anic references with regard to political and legal decisions. In addition, there are Qur’anic verses related to legal institutions and also some which point to politics and governing.

Women Rights in Turkey Discussed with “Semester at Sea” Students

The Journalists and Writers Foundation Women’s Platform hosted a group for students from Semester at Sea, a University of Virginia-sponsored college program that began in 1963 in the United States.

It happened

Joost Lagendijk

Since the verdict in the Sledgehammer trial last Friday, the public relations war on how to interpret the ruling is in full swing.

Is it, as this paper has been saying, a historic step in Turkey's democratization process? Should it be seen as a miscarriage of justice, based on fake documents and inspired by feelings of vengeance, as other media outlets want us to believe? Or should we be careful not to jump to conclusions and wait until the judges have published their arguments?

900 Somali orphans delighted with gifts

900 orphan children, in Mogadishu, were delighted to receive gifts such as clothes, candy, toys, pocket money, and pencils.

The joy of Eid for everyone

KYM brought Bayram (Eid al-Fitr) joy to everyone by delivering clothing to 28,952 families.

Volunteers didn't leave Syrian refugees alone

The KYM Association's Gaziantep branch didn't leave the Syrian refugees who remain in the district of Hatay Yayladagi alone during Bayram (Eid Al-Fitr).

Violence is not in the tradition of the Prophet

Fethullah Gülen

Muslims pray each day: “O Lord! Keep us on the straight path.” It is a prayer to help us move away from the extremes and maintain balance in our lives. We must neither be hostage to our reactionary instincts, nor must we remain completely silent in the face of the systematic defamation of our values and beliefs. This balance has been upset by the violent response to the insults targeting the legacy of beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The violent response was wrong and strayed from the straight path.

Fethullah Gülen: Violent response to anti-Muslim movie damaging Islam’s image

World renowned Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has said an anti-Islam movie that has caused sometimes violent protests by Muslims across the world is an abuse of freedom of speech and condemned the violent response to the film as “wrong” that is damaging the image of Islam.

Teaching Peace in Schools

Alp Aslandoğan *

This week New York City hosts the United Nations General Assembly, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Education Nation conference. These massive events focus on international diplomacy and peace, societal problem-solving and improving classroom instruction. However, just a few blocks away from these grand assemblies, a smaller group met for the first time to tackle all these issues with a single, bold strategy.

New York conference highlights Turkish schools' contribution to world peace

Esra Koşar

Education ministers and academics from various countries highlighted the contributions to world peace made by Turkish schools inspired by internationally respected Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen during a conference held in New York on Monday.

'Kimse Yok Mu' Lends Hand To Kenyans Despite Difficulties

Turkish humanitarian aid organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) is striving to carry out its charitable activities under difficult conditions in Kenya.

Izetbegovic praises Turkish schools and universities abroad

Ayten Çiftçi

The Bosniak member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic, expressed his admiration for Turkish schools and universities abroad in an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman on Monday.

Peacebuilding Through Education

Maria Cat Sandoval

With the UN gathering in New York, education officials from all around the world also came together to focus on global youth education, and individual student success stories.

Fethullah Gülen's message to the conference "Peacebuilding through Education"

Fethullah Gulen

Thank you for your kind invitation to the Peacebuilding through Education conference*, and I regret being unable to join you today. The theme you cover in this conference is a very dear one, and I feel very honored to be a part of it through The Fountain Magazine that continues to publish my essays. I have been penning my humble writings with hopes for a contribution, as much as an essay can go, to a greater good of our world, to a better understanding of the meaning of our lives, to a greater appreciation of being human – the best of creation – and to the promotion of mutual respect and tolerance among nations, and all the other values and high goals The Fountain aims to uphold in its pages and cherished not to a lesser degree by the co-sponsors of this conference.

Norwegian Christian leader: Islamophobia not just fear, includes hatred

Sevgi Akarçeşme

Gunnar Stalsett, the bishop emeritus of Oslo, warned about a hatred of Islam at a joint panel discussion organized by the Abant Platform and Fountain Magazine in İstanbul on Friday.

Moronic abuse vs. responsible use of freedom of expression

Mehmet Kalyoncu *

Recently, four American diplomats, including the US ambassador to Libya, were killed in Benghazi by a group of morons, protesting a so-called movie insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), produced by a moron in California and supported by another moron in Florida.

Fethullah Gulen on "Islam and Democracy"

Q: Is it possible to reconcile Islam with democracy? How do you see the lack of democracy in many Muslim countries; and do you see this lack of democracy as a deficit for Muslim nations?

Fethullah Gulen: On the issue of Islam and democracy, one should remember that the former is a divine and heavenly religion, while the latter is a form of government developed by humans. The main purposes of religion are faith (iman), servanthood to God (ubudiyyah), knowledge of God (ma’rifah), and beautiful actions (ihsan). The Qur’an, in its hundreds of verses, invites people to the faith and worship of the True (al-Haqq). It also asks people to deepen their servanthood to God in a way that they may gain the consciousness of ihsan. “To believe and do good deeds,” is among the subjects that Qur’an emphatically stresses. It also frequently reminds people that they must develop a conscious relationship with God and act as if they see God, or as if they are seen by God.

Gulen calls on Muslims to pray for Turkey

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has called on Muslim communities worldwide to pray against misfortunes and troubles, especially in Turkey, according to Herkül.org.

Reflections on the Qur’an

Tarık Özgür

Fethullah Gülen covers in his Reflections on the Qur’an a wide array of topics, ranging from piety, worship, sincerity, wickedness, hypocrisy, patience, gratefulness, to guidance, “sakinah,” reflection, humbleness, proper worship, and God’s “nur” or light. For example, on Surat-al Ahzab, verse 4, Mr. Gülen explains what is meant by, “God has not made two hearts for any man,” and how this is related to hypocrisy. Mr. Gülen writes that all people have the tendency to be worshippers of God and that if man does not worship God alone he will devote himself and his admiration to other things besides God; worldly things such as money, power, and fame. Mr. Gülen explains that this verse tells us to devote ourselves to God, because it is not possible for anyone to sincerely worship both God and something else. Therefore, people who are addicted to worldly pleasures can only pretend to worship God to please everyone around them, and the Qur’an refers to these kinds of people as hypocrites.

Translating the Qur'an into Action

Hüseyin Bingül

An average English reader is often familiar with the Shakespearean character Hamlet and his inaction—or rather, delay in action—being at variance with his strong aspiration to restore order to the world around him. Despite his beautiful country rotting around him, the young nobleman Hamlet vacillates between listening to the inner voice of “the man of contemplation” and the inner voice of “the man of action.” The desolate quietness and inactivity of many intellectuals and thinkers of our modern age looks very much like the inability of Hamlet’s taking action. And when they finally decide to carry out their ideas, they mostly end up taking the wrong action, as in the Shakespearean tragedy of Hamlet. One may certainly be a man of original thoughts and lofty ideals, but thoughts go in vain unless they are implemented in practical, daily life. Dr. Suat Yıldırım rightly puts forward in his foreword to the honorable scholar and author M. Fethullah Gülen’s Reflections on the Qur’an that, “Integrating theoretical knowledge and thought with action is very rare, and indeed according to many is even impossible. Undoubtedly this assessment is true to an extent, but there are always exceptions, like the works of Fethullah Gülen. A renowned scholar and man of action and thought, Gülen adds this new work to his existing collection of more than fifty [now seventy] books.”[1]

Walking in the shoes of others: Stepping in and out of Turkey

Michael Samuel *

What inspires migrants to leave home, friends and country to cross over into unknown worlds? Often many make the journey driven by the prospects of better life opportunities. Others seek escape of refuge from oppressive regimes. Some journey the paths onto the other side having themselves been abandoned by their countries of origin. Some patterns of migration have been fueled by natural disasters; others may be voluntary or forced movements of whole communities, or individual trajectories. Early colonial conquests throughout history have also seen these migratory paths as journeys of conquest or plundering, of seeking new markets, of evangelism, of stamping one’s identity on the alien land. Usually these migratory relationships produce contestations of power and hierarchy between host and source countries: those in authority begin to become more conscious about how they police their boundaries of geography, class, race, caste, and religion – their identities. Although migration patterns are oftentimes constructed around the opening up of new ventures within the host countries, it is usually understood as a posing of a threat to any culture. The foreigner is always regarded with skepticism as she or he usually heralds new sources of influence. The migrant himself or herself is usually caste with uncertainties and ambiguities around their future. Some more orchestrated movements of peoples, such as the movements during the slave trades of the 16th and 17th century, have led to patterns of inequity and injustice which permeate over many centuries (Bourne, 2011).

Murdering the US ambassador to Libya: Anti-Westernism and Islamophobia

Ahmet Kuru *

US Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed a few days ago as a result of either a calculated terrorist attack or random violent anti-US protests in Libya.

Gülen urges Muslims to exercise restraint over anti-Muslim movie

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has called on Muslims to exercise restraint and act with common sense while expressing their outrage over an anti-Muslim film as a wave of largely violent protests has swept 20 countries.

Criticizing Hizmet

İhsan Yılmaz

When we criticize the Justice and Development Party (AKP), some of its supporters counter-attack us and without responding to our concrete and constructive criticism; they ask why we do not ever criticize Hizmet.

Time for Muslim anger management

Mustafa Akyol

Welcome to yet another clash between Muslim notions of sacredness and Western attempts to defy them: A vulgar anti-Islamic film called “The Innocence of Muslims,” which was apparently produced by a group of anti-Islamic Americans, has sparked a wave of violent anti-American protests in Egypt, Libya and Yemen. In Benghazi, U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three of his team members were tragically killed. Fears are that the protests might lead to violence against other American targets in the Muslim Middle East and perhaps beyond.

Fethullah Gulen's message of condolence for the US consulate attacks

Fethullah Gülen

I have learned with sadness that Ambassador Christopher Stevens, along with three other people who worked at the embassy, lost their lives during the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. I severely protest the attack which targeted the Ambassador, who represented the United States in Libya with respect to his duty, and who was at the same time a guest in that country, and at this time I also condemn all terrorism, no matter who is responsible.

Fethullah Gülen strongly condemns US consulate attack, extends condolences

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has strongly condemned at attack on US Consulate in Benghazi that killed four Americans, including Libyan ambassador, and expressed deep condolences to the American people.

Fethullah Gulen on "Islam and State"

Q: What is the Islamic understanding of “state”? What is the place of “state” in the Qur’an? Many contemporary Muslims have spoken out about the establishment of an Islamic state based on the principles of Shariah — could you kindly give me your thoughts on the subject.

Fethullah Gulen: Those who study and put forward opinions concerning the Islamic perspective of state and politics usually confuse Islam established by the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet with the Islam as constructed through the historical experiences of Muslims and of course based on shari’ah (legal) principles, and also the superficially observed Islam of the modern times. They come up with various shapes and forms in the name of Islam; sometimes using Qur’anic citations, a few selected sayings of the Prophet, or sometimes ideas and suggestions of one of our contemporary thinkers and they vow to make their interpretation reign if they have the opportunity.

Fethullah Gulen on "Individual and State"

Q: What is the relationship between an individual and the state, according to the teaching of Islam? What is the place and function of an individual within a state?

Fethullah Gulen: The modern world and contemporary systems of thought claim that for the first time in history individuals have become the true, active subjects of their lives and their actions. According to these modern systems of thought, individuals have depended on the traditions that have come down from the past to the present day, imprisoning themselves within the limits of these traditions. Since the group attitude has become the norm, and as it is not possible to change the established standards of communal life, it has been the destiny of individuals to remain only passive, obedient members of the community. In the modern age, they have finally started to free themselves from this imprisonment, acquiring their individual personalities. Until the modern age, individuals were not free and were not independent. Although these thoughts on individualism are true for some cultures and some regions of the world, they are not true for every religion, for every thought, and for every community. From the perspective of Tawhid, which is the main principle of the unity of God in Islam, it is impossible to have unrestricted individualism. This is because humans are either both free with no acceptance of any moral values and rebellious with no moral criteria; or they are servants who are dependent on God and seriously obedient to His commands. Through being obedient servants of God, the individuals will not bow before any power and will not sacrifice an ounce of their freedom.

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.

Fethullah Gülen's solution to Kurdish issue discussed at panel

A solution to the Kurdish issue proposed by Turkish religious figure Fethullah Gülen has been discussed at a symposium in the southeastern province of Bingöl.

‘Kurdish initiative should not be suspended by provocative acts'

Tuğba Mezararkalı / Mehmet Tayanç

The final declaration of a recent symposium on Turkey's Kurdish issue, attended by Turkish and international academics, authors, politicians and leading thinkers, says that Kurdish initiatives aiming to resolve Turkey's long-standing Kurdish problem by meeting some of the Kurdish people's demands should not be suspended due to provocative acts.

Different Cultures, Different System: Same Success Story

The recent findings are speaking about the extraordinary achievement Gulen-inspired school demonstrated all over the world so far. There are currently more than 1000 Gulen-inspired schools in more than 110 countries around the world. In the European countries, there are at least a dozen Gulen-inspired schools, and more than 150 smaller educational and cultural centers.

Gülen extends condolences to families of arsenal blast victims

Well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen has conveyed his condolences to the families of 25 soldiers who were killed in a huge explosion at an ammunition depot in the western province of Afyonkarahisar on Wednesday.

Glocalization of the Gülen Education Model

Dr. Margaret A. Johnson

Gülen Movement members believe with absolute certainty that in today’s world our global conflicts will not be solved through brute force or military might. Ultimately, it is only through persuasion, tolerance, and understanding brought about through dialogue that we might enjoy a peaceful coexistence in this world. As a basis for fruitful dialogue we must have an educated citizenry whose minds and hearts are open, and who have nurtured universal human values within themselves, including valuing diversity and all human beings. It is only then, that we can hope to achieve the ultimate goal of the Gülen Movement — for all human beings to live with each other in a peaceful coexistence while embracing their diversity. We must appreciate the long-range vision and time horizon of the Gülen Movement. In a world that has come to expect quick fixes for everything – even global conflicts, here we have a movement that is willing to take a multi-generational approach starting with our youth. We have much to learn about the hurdles to realizing this vision, and we can learn more as we study the process by which ideas get transmitted across a society as we see happening here with the Gülen-inspired schools in Indonesia.

Can the West believe in Islamic progress?

Tal Buenos *

While the West has been largely indecisive about its position on the several recent experimental and violent renegotiations of Islam and power in the Middle East, its feelings on Islamic power have been rather clearly demonstrated over the years: The acquisition of power by Islamic entities is a cause for concern. By the same token, the Islamization of a powerful entity is also a cause for concern.

Fethullah Gülen’s Golden Generation: Integration of Muslim Identity with the World through Education

Yetkin Yıldırım, Süphan Kırmızıaltın *

Turkey is a crucible in which Eastern and Western civilizations, secular ideas, and Islamic tradition merge. Using ideas born in the Turkish context, Fethullah Gülen and his followers have developed and put into practice an educational system that combines the strengths of both European and Islamic cultures, cultivating students of academic achievement in the sciences who possess deep ethical grounding. Founded in universal values of honesty, hard work, harmony and conscientious service, Gülen’s model appeals to people with a wide range of beliefs. Through Gülen’s teachings, this educational system stresses the compatibility of science with Islam and aims to bring up people equipped with the moral values and knowledge to use science for the benefit of mankind.

Turkish aid foundations working to resolve water problem in Africa

Numerous Turkish aid foundations are working to resolve Africa's long-standing water supply problem by digging wells in various countries across the continent, with over 1,500 sunk so far.

 

Africa suffers from a lack of drinking water due to drought, which is common across the continent. Research being conducted into the issue shows that 4,900 children die every day in Africa due to a lack of drinking water or diseases caused by drinking contaminated water.

Hizmet Schools: A new pedagogy

Thomas Michel

A teacher watches students playing chess
at the Gulen Movement-affiliated Fatih Koleji
school in Istanbul. (Photo: Justin Vela)

Members of the Hizmet community hope to change society through a new type of education that draws from and integrates disparate strands of previous pedagogic systems. Gülen’s starting point was his recognition of the need for a new kind of school, a system of education that would draw what was best from the existing alternatives and integrate them into the kind of education needed by modern students. Gülen looked at the kinds of education that were being offered in Turkey in his day. He found that each had some strong point but that each was also lacking in some important areas.

Fethullah Gulen: Inspirer of Multi-disciplinary Studies

Kerim Balci *

"The work of Gulen's followers in Turkey shows that Islam-as taught by Gulen-seeks tolerance, not conflict; it aims for a better society, not political power; and it manifests itself in prayer and concrete local action."

Peace and Dialogue in the Plural Society: Common Values and Responsibilities

Thomas Michel

I would like to begin by congratulating the Australian Intercultural Society for organizing and holding this conference* on the theme of “Peace and Dialogue in a Plural Society: Common Values and Responsibilities.” This is exactly the kind of initiative that is urgently needed around the world today, as we try, through dialogue, to build communication and respect as an alternative to suspicion and violence.

AKP, Hizmet and politics

İhsan Yılmaz

I have written repeatedly about the relationship between the Hizmet movement and politics here. Unfortunately, it still needs some more discussion. As is well known, Hizmet never associates itself with political parties.

The Contribution of Fethullah Gulen on Christian-Muslim relations

Mustafa Erol *

Dialogue has been the buzz word for around a century especially during the last 3-4 decades to improve the relationship between individuals and communities especially members of different faiths. Dialogue is still the work of people who are overwhelmingly either member of a religious faith or work of a religious institution. One important individual from an Islamic background who has contributed on this issue positively has been Fethullah Gulen. His followers who subscribe themselves to his approach have established many dialogue institutions, over 130 different countries to implement his philosophy.

From Gandhi to Gülen: The Habitus of Non-Agressive Action

New Social Movement theory regards all cultural movements as “expressive” and “confrontational” social movements. Instead, as proved in the Gandhian Chipko movement and the Gülen movement cases, cultural movements are more prone to combine strategic and expressive elements simultaneously when they are compared to political movements.

Fethullah Gulen and Said Nursi

Dr. Greg Barton *

Gülen is generally seen to draw directly on the intellectual heritage of the influential and greatly loved Sufi scholar and writer Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. And indeed, an examination of Gülen’s writing reveals it to be substantially built upon the foundation laid by Nursi, who in turn drew upon the great Anatolian Sufi Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi (d. 1276) and the Indian writers Ahmad Faruqi Sirhindi (1564-1624) and Shah Wali Allah al-Dihlawi (1703-1762) amongst others.