From Islamophobia to ‘Hizmet-phobia’

Ekrem Dumanlı

An important person who was praising an intellectual in Northwest Africa said, "I wish we [Turkey] had such scholars with far-reaching foresight.”

South Korean Superintendents of Education meet with Rainbow International Schools officials

A delegation of South Korean superintendents of education and Rainbow International School operated by Turkish entrepreneurs jointly organized “South Korea-Turkey Educational Partnership Summit.” With the follow-up steps to be taken, the two countries are anticipated to get even closer.

Fethullah Gulen Deplores Recent Attacks on Christians in Pakistan

Fethullah Gülen

I am deeply saddened to learn about the bombing of a Christian church in Peshawar, Pakistan, which cost the lives 85 civilians and injured many others. I condemn this attack unequivocally and on this sad occasion reiterate my condemnation of all forms of terrorism regardless of perpetrators or their stated purposes.

Some states use religion for wars, says Catholic Bishop in İstanbul

Speaking at the Dialogue Symposium held in İstanbul on Friday, the spiritual leader of the Latin Catholic Community, Louis Pelatre said some states abuse religion for wars although all religions prohibit killing and war.

Turkish businessmen’s helping hands reach out to Romanian flood victims

Turkish businessmen extended a helping hand to the flood victims in the eastern Romania. The locals received the philanthropists who went door to door to deliver the relief aid, in tears.

Turkish-Jordanian relations discussed in Istanbul

At a workshop on Turkish-Jordanian relations organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) in İstanbul on Wednesday, top aide to the prime minister and Ankara Deputy Yalçın Akdoğan said that Turkey pursues a value-based foreign policy, not one based on national interests.

Fethullah Gulen awarded in the Philippines for contribution to peace

The Philippine army chief has honored Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen with a special award for the charity activities and contributions to peace of the faith-based Hizmet movement.

Fethullah Gulen Movement as a Global Educational and Inter-Religious Model (2)

Ian G. Williams*

Mobilization in the Public Arena

…In his writings and presentations, Fethullah Gulen attempts to mobilise the universal spiritual elements within the [Islamic / Sufi] traditions, codes and idioms of the past to advance new symbolic systems that can, in important ways, stand out as guideposts for the future. Intriguingly, this approach is inclusivist in nature and not bound to one national culture, heritage and identity.

Islamic scholar Gülen rejects bombings in the name of Islam

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has unequivocally rejected terrorist attacks and bombings committed in the name of Islam, adding that a terrorist cannot be branded a real Muslim.

Fethullah Gulen Movement as a Global Educational and Inter-Religious Model (1)

Ian G. Williams*

The Gulen Movement and “Soft Power”

Many descriptions have been applied to the Gulen-inspired initiatives, civil, cultural, political, confrontational, conflictual, reactionary, regressive, exclusivist, sectarian, alienating, competitive, Islamist, mediating, reconciliatory, pluralist, democratic, altruistic and peaceful [White 2002. 112]. In using social movement theories how may one define this association? Is it a civil society movement; a reaction to a crisis, a Sufi tariqa or order, a political movement; or an altruistic collective action?

Fethullah Gulen Condemns Terrorist Attack in Nairobi, Kenya

Fethullah Gülen

I am heartbroken by the senseless terrorist attack in Kenya and the loss of lives and horrific injuries to so many innocent people. In the eyes of God, every life is sacred and every person has dignity. The taking of a single human life is an attack on all humankind.

Kimse Yok Mu aid delivered to the Afghan flood victims

The aid raised by Kimse Yok Mu Foundation (KYM) for the 580 flood victims in Sarobi district of Afghanistan has been recently delivered to those in need. In cooperation with the local Afghan-Turkish schools and Afghan-Turk Industrialists and Businessmen Association (ATSIAD), the 580 families were also distributed food aid of floor and oil.

Turkish charity set to provide donations to 300,000 families

Turkish charity foundation Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) aims to distribute the meat of sacrificed animals to 300,000 needy people both within the country and across borders in a campaign with the tagline “Share your donation, and maintain brotherhood.”

Niagara Foundation Peace and Dialogue Award Honorees Recognized in Chicago

2013 Annual Peace and Dialogue Awards by the Chicago-based Niagara Foundation were presented to their honorees at an event on September 16th in University Club of Chicago, a historic building of the city.

Prof. Ergil speaks on Gulen Movement at Boston College

At an event organized by Peace Islands Institute at Boston College, Professor Dogu Ergil (*) speaks on and answers the questions surrounding the Gulen Movement.

In the book Fethullah Gulen and the Gulen Movement in 100 Questions, Ergil addresses the frequently voiced questions regarding Gulen and the movement. Understanding both Fethullah Gulen, a moderate Turkish Muslim scholar, and the Gulen Movement, a global network of volunteers, teachers, students, intellectuals and business people who are inspired by Gulen's philosophy based on dialogue and peaceful coexistence, is vital to making any sort of predictions about the direction that Turkey might be headed in the next years.

Fethullah Gülen always supported settlement process, lawyer says

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has always supported the settlement process aimed at ending decades of conflict in Turkey, his lawyer said on Sunday.

Nubuwwat symposium starts with rejection of suicide bombing, terrorism

A three-day international symposium launched on Sunday in İstanbul with the theme of nubuwwat (prophethood) has started with a message that a true believer of Islam cannot become a suicide bomber.

Sufism and Modernity in the Thought of Fethullah Gülen

Thomas Michel, S.J.

A Clash or a Dialogue of Values?

In trying to bring together two such disparate concepts as "Sufism" and "modernity" in the thought of Fethullah Gülen, I realize that I have undertaken a slippery task. On the one hand, Sufism, the generally accepted term for the Islamic mystical tradition, is not one clearly defined religious movement, but an interrelated network of ideas and practices, all aimed at a deeper understanding and faithful pursuit of the Qur'anic message. Non-Muslim scholars,[1] as well as Sufis themselves,[2] who attempt to give a succinct definition of Sufism inevitably pull out certain elements and emphases that have been central among some Sufis at various periods of history, while disregarding or glossing over other characteristics that do not fit in and perhaps even contradict their definition.

Deputy PM Bozdag: We're proud of Turkish schools

Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag paid a visit to the local Turkish school, during his official visits in Moldova.

Fethullah Gulen on Tolerance and Dialogue

Mehmet Gündem: Dialogue and tolerance have been topics that have been much discussed in recent years, but some think that you are not sincere about this matter.

Fethullah Gülen: If the source of dialogue and tolerance were personal, then they wouldn't seem to be lasting, and those who were worried would be right. But my motive comes from religious sources. This is the course we are to follow. As long as religion lasts, dialogue and tolerance will keep continuing.

Bulgarian producer introduces his fourth documentary on Fethullah Gulen

One of the doyens of journalism in Bulgaria, Stefan Tsonev recently introduced his fourth documentary on the Honorable Fethullah Gulen, on Radio Varna. The 20-minute-long documentary presents Gulen’s thoughts as a scholar and dialogue leader and the Turkish schools worldwide along with their educational philosophy.

Fethullah Gulen on Turkish Schools Abroad

This is a part of an interview with Fethullah Gulen by Mehmet Gundem of Milliyet Daily in January 2005.

Mehmet Gundem: What is your opinion about the Turkish schools that have been established abroad based upon your encouragements?

Fethullah Gulen: Let sociologists and historians of philosophy answer this, not me. And let any people who have had a chance to visit these schools to write their good opinions about them.

Atyrau Kazakh-Turk High Schools celebrates its 20th anniversary

Ayhan Özcimbit

It was exactly 20 years ago on August 25th in 1993 when Mr. Suleyman, Ali and I arrived in the city Atyrau -formerly known as Guryev- located off the Caspian Sea. The provincial education department official, Ms. Jayla greeted us with flowers and then we moved in an apartment in the neighborhood Avangart. Ferhat, and Nurullah joined us later on and we began the academic year together with our local colleagues, the deceased Siguat Weizov and Ms. Gulbarsin.

Understanding Fethullah Gülen (2)

Ekrem Dumanlı

One of the reasons for the difficulty in understanding Fethullah Gülen is the term "community" itself. Unfortunately, the meaning attached to this word connotes a group of people closed to and isolated from the outside world.

Understanding Fethullah Gülen (1)

Ekrem Dumanlı

Some of the most reliable newspapers in the world published important articles about Fethullah Gülen last month [Jan. 2008]. For instance, the International Herald Tribune wrote that Gülen was "an inspiration for Muslims who feel at home in the modern world."

Cemevi next to mosque embraced by residents in Malatya

Since the groundbreaking ceremony of the first ever joint mosque-cemevi (Alevi place of worship) culture center was held in Ankara on Sept. 8, there has been an ongoing debate on the presence of joint religious centers, with Cihan news agency reporting on Monday of a site in Malatya's Doğanyol district that has a mosque and a cemevi standing side by side that is embraced by the residents.

Fresh momentum in Turkey-Pakistan ties

Abdullah Bozkurt

Business-savvy Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was elected only four months ago in a landslide general election victory, may be the best hope to make up for what has been lacking between Turkey and Pakistan, two close friends and allies in a tough neighborhood.

Turkey builds village in Pakistan in honor of Iqbal

A housing complex built by a Turkish aid foundation will be named after Mohammed Iqbal, the spiritual founder of Pakistan who led a nationwide campaign to help Turkey during World War I.

The mosque-cemevi project and the settlement process

In Muş, where I was during the final days of August for the anniversary of the Battle of Manzigert, I had the chance to speak with citizens from both Manzigert and Ağrı about the terror problem and the solution process aimed at Turkish-Kurdish peace. Last Sunday, I was in the neighborhood of Tuzluçayır in Ankara's Mamak district to watch the groundbreaking ceremony for the cami (mosque)-cemevi (house of worship for Alevis) project. While there, I headed over to listen in person to the complaints of protesters opposing this particular project.

The Alevism test

Ekrem Dumanli

The issue of Alevism is a tough and challenging test for everyone. No one can escape this test, including Alevis, Sunnis, leftists, rightists, secularists, anti-secularists, the supporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the proponents of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), etc. This is because it is not restricted to the demands of one specific faith community.

Altruism as a motivating force in Fethullah Gülen’s educational philosophy

Fethullah Gülen’s motivational efforts started initially with teachers and potential sponsors. He went to great lengths to motivate college students to choose education as their profession. He saw altruism as the key to convincing business owners and entrepreneurs of the feasibility of sponsoring educational projects.

Turkish volunteer doctors build bridges between Tanzania and Turkey

Turkish doctors went to Tanzania to give voluntary medical services. The members of the Horizon Medical Doctors Society, including 7 professors and 40 medical staff, first visited Darussalam, the biggest city in Tanzania.

Congratulations to Fethullah Gulen and Izzettin Dogan

Taha Akyol

The foundation of a social and cultural center comprising a mosque and cemevi in the same complex has been laid in Mamak district of Ankara.

CHP Adana deputy lends support to mosque-cemevi project

Yet another figure from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Adana deputy Turgay Develi, has expressed his support for the first joint mosque-cemevi (Alevi house of worship) project launched in Ankara last week.

Turkey-China seek new gateway for business at Tuskon meet

Turkish and Chinese businessmen expressed that both sides are seeking to expand their trade ties at the Turkey-China Investment Forum on Thursday.

Before Oprah: Scholar’s Philanthropic Work Has Huge Impact on Africa

Lachin Hatemi

Centuries of colonization, slavery and diseases ravaged the sub-Saharan Africa. The entire continent was left with a desperate need for an educated and skilled workforce, which can transform the economy and improve the daily lives of Africans. Education is the key to such a transformation and ending poverty in Africa. What are we doing to educate the African youth?

JWF shared its experiences on interfaith cooperation at UN

Here you can find the full speech of Mr. Hüseyin Hurmalı (Secretary General of Journalists and Writers Foundation's Abant Platform) at United Nations High Level Meeting in the Culture of Peace: “The role of interfaith cooperation in promoting a global Culture of Peace"

Lawyer: Claims about Gülen followers among ‘jihadist group' baseless defamation

The lawyer of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has strongly dismissed claims by a French publication that followers of Gülen are among members of an alleged jihadist formation encouraged by Turkey to fight a political offshoot of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Syria as baseless slanders.

CM inaugurates housing units for flood affectees

Islamabad—A Turkish NGO, Kimse Yok Mu Solidarity and Aid Association headquartered at Istanbul, has built housing units to accommodate 296 flood-affected families in Punjab. It is a grand brotherly gesture from the Turkish people towards alleviating the housing difficulties of the flood affectees of Pakistan.

EU lends support to mosque-cemevi project

The European Union, which has been closely following the rights of Alevis in Turkey for years, has lent its support to a mosque-cemevi project to be built in Ankara.

Fethullah Gulen, the man rushing to put out the fire

Salih Can

“On condition that the national honor is not disrespected, no effort should be spared to establish peace among groups under threat of split within as Alevi-Sunni, Kurd-Turk and Laz-Circassian” Fethullah Gulen

Former CHP Chairman Baykal supports joint mosque-cemevi project

Deniz Baykal, the former leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), has expressed his support and appreciation for the first joint mosque-cemevi project.“I see this progress as a starting point for the cemevi [Alevi house of worship] to become officially recognized by the state,” Baykal said to the press in İzmir.

Fethullah Gulen's Message on the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Fethullah Gülen

I would like to make it very clear that any terrorist activity, no matter by whom it is carried out or for what purpose, is the greatest blow to peace, democracy, and humanity. For this reason, no one—and certainly no Muslim—can approve of any terrorist activity. Terror has no place in a quest to achieve independence or salvation. It takes the lives of innocent people.

People Of All Faiths Come Together For The Library’s Muslim Journeys

Ben Burdick

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” —Rumi

Five new mosque-cemevi projects on the way

There are plans to launch joint mosque-cemevi (Alevi house of worship) projects in five other Turkish provinces in addition to the recently launched project in the Turkish capital city of Ankara, the Radikal daily reported on Tuesday.

Will Alevis and Sunnis be able to hold religious ceremonies together?

Orhan Kemal Cengiz

I was very excited when I first heard about the cami (mosque)-cemevi project that will see Alevis and Sunnis share a worship complex, having their sermons in separate buildings but sharing a yard and using the same entrance and exit.

A cami and cemevi together

A groundbreaking ceremony for the first cultural complex in Turkey that will have both a cami (mosque) and a cemevi (Alevi place of worship) was held in Ankara on Sunday with the participation of Labor Minister Faruk Çelik, Alevi CEM Foundation President İzzettin Doğan, Republican People's Party (CHP) Ankara deputy Sinan Aygün and a number of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies as well as other Alevi and Sunni community leaders and members of the public.

Cami and cemevi

Mümtazer Türköne

In fact, both cami and cemevi have the same meaning. Both are of Arabic origin. Cami (mosque) means place of union and cemevi (an Alevi place of worship) means house of union.

Because the differences between Sunnism and Alevism are in the nuances, it is difficult to follow the current debates that surround them.

Joint mosque-cemevi project will contribute to peace in Turkey

Protests against a joint mosque-cemevi (Alevi house of worship) complex project are meaningless because the project will help alleviate tensions between Alevis and Sunnis in Turkey, Alevi community leaders said on Monday.

Clones of Nuh Mete Yuksel?

Bülent Korucu

The archive came for rescue just when I was thinking to myself “I recall what have been recently written against Hizmet from somewhere.” The people who are attracted to Fethullah Gulen’s teachings and trying to do a service have always faced similar accusations in every period of time.

Groundbreaking ceremony for joint mosque-cemevi project held in Ankara

The groundbreaking ceremony of the first ever joint mosque-cemevi (Alevi place of worship) cultural center was held in Ankara on Sunday with the participation of Labor Minister Faruk Çelik, President of Alevi CEM Foundation İzzettin Doğan, CHP Ankara deputy Sinan Aygün, a number of AK Party deputies as well as other Alevi and Sunni community leaders and members of the public.

Fethullah Gulen’s and Spinoza’s Ideas on Tolerance and Dialogue

Kate Kirk* Gurkan Celik**


Dialogue and Tolerance: Spinoza and Gülen

…In his writings and speeches, Fethullah Gülen highlights the tension between Islamophobia and the reality of Muslims in the West that needs to be addressed in order to make sustainable peaceful coexistence possible. Gülen’s ‘alliance of civilizations’—as opposed to the ‘clash of civilizations’—offers a perspective from which this peaceful coexistence is possible. Gülen’s perspective shows that through dialogue groups can come to see that they share common virtues and ideas not simply incompatible differences (Ünal & Williams 2000; Carroll 2007). Gülen, a contemporary theologian, clearly comes from an Islamic perspective: the Qur’an, the Sunnah, ijtihad (independent reasoning, see Yilmaz 2003), and Islamic piety are his reference points, just as reason was the basis of Spinoza’s philosophy. He like Spinoza tries to conceptualize modern peaceful coexistence by conjoining tolerance and dialogue.

Turkish charity sends aid supplies to Syrian refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan

A truck filled with aid packages sent by Turkish charity Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) arrived at the Kawrgosk refugee camp in northern Iraq on Thursday, and its contents were distributed to Syrian refugees who have fled ongoing fighting amongst various factions in Syria.

Why so merciless on yourself?

Ali Ünal

There has been no prophet who didn’t face lies or slanders about himself. All of them would be exposed to slanders and -God forbid a million times- accused of lying, self-seeking, fabricating the Qur’an -the revealed word of God- or being taught, insanity, sorcery, being taken over by genies (djinns), just reciting poetry or having a “genie-granted” eloquence in other words and many more misdeeds that they wouldn’t have the slightest bit of.

Cemevi project causes no concern of assimilation for Alevis or Sunnis

Head of the Alevi CEM Foundation İzzettin Doğan said on Friday that the first joint mosque and cemevi (Alevi place of worship) project will not lead to any assimilation of Alevis or Sunnis.