@
rmi5
If you are interested in Mr. Gulen, then you should read what I post below
Introducing Fethullah Gülen
Fethullah Gülen is an authoritative mainstream Turkish Muslim scholar, thinker, author, poet, opinion leader and educational activist who supports interfaith and intercultural dialogue, science, democracy and spirituality and opposes violence and turning religion into a political ideology. Fethullah Gülen promotes cooperation of civilizations toward a peaceful world, as opposed to a clash:
“Be so tolerant that your bosom becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love of human beings. Let there be no troubled souls to whom you do not offer a hand and about whom you remain unconcerned.”
(Fethullah Gülen, Criteria or Lights of the Way. London: Truestar.)
We believe Mr. Fethullah Gülen and the civil society movement inspired by his views, which is known as the Fethullah Gülen movement, are significant and deserve attention for the following reasons:
Fethullah Gülen’s Authority and Impact: Mr. Fethullah Gülen is known and respected among Turkish Muslims as well as Muslims from around the world as an authoritative mainstream Muslim scholar of the Sunni tradition, to which 87–90% of the world’s Muslim population belongs. He is also a thinker, a poet, a prolific author, an educational activist and an opinion leader. His readership in Turkey is estimated at several million. His influence outside Turkey is growing daily as his works are translated into many languages including English, Arabic, Russian, German, Spanish, Urdu, Bosnian, Albanian, Malay and Indonesian. In addition to printed publications, his ideas are accessible to an ever increasing world population through private radio and television networks sympathetic to his views.
Public Stance against Violence, Terror and Suicide Attacks: Fethullah Gülen has been recognized for his consistent stance against the combination of violence and religious rhetoric. More specifically,
- He was the first Muslim scholar to publicly condemn the attacks of 9/11 (in an advertisement in the Washington Post).
- He helped publish a scholarly book on the Islamic perspective on terror and suicide attacks, condemning such acts on humanitarian and religious grounds.
- He did not express these views only to Western readers but voiced them in mosque sermons with congregations of thousands of Muslims.
- He unequivocally rejects suicide attacks.
- He has given interviews to Turkish, Japanese, Kenyan and American newspapers in which he categorically condemned the use of political, ideological and religious reasons to justify acts of terror.
- He has appeared on numerous national television shows publicly condemning such acts.
Pioneer in Interfaith Dialogue: Fethullah Gülen has been actively promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue for over a decade, starting long before the tragedy of 9/11. In Turkey, he has been credited with bringing about a positive atmosphere in relationships between the majority Muslim population and the various religious minorities such as Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Catholic, and Jewish communities. Outside Turkey, his ideas on interfaith dialogue have inspired many to establish organizations engaging in dialogue with the same objectives of mutual understanding, empathetic acceptance, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation. His efforts for dialogue and tolerance were recognized by a personal audience with the late Pope John Paul II and an invitation from the chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, as well as meetings with the leaders of various Christian denominations.
For Cooperation of Civilizations: Fethullah Gülen promotes the cooperation of civilizations as opposed to clash, through dialogue, mutual understanding and gathering around shared values. As a civil society opinion leader he supports Turkish efforts toward joining the European Union and says that this relationship will benefit both parties.
Emphasis on the Spiritual Dimension of Faith: Owing in part to his early education in the spiritual discipline, Fethullah Gülen is known for his emphasis on Islamic spirituality (known in the West as Sufism), and the embracing attitude towards fellow human beings that this emphasis brings. Due to his representation of love, compassion and an open-hearted approach to all issues concerning humanity, he is known by some as a “modern-day Rumi.” He was asked by Şefik Can, a late Sufi master, a descendant of Rumi and author, to write the foreword for his book on Rumi’s life and teachings. Fethullah Gülen’s own two-volume book on Sufism is used as a textbook for university courses on the spiritual traditions of the world.
Science and Faith in Harmony: Fethullah Gülen sees science and faith as not only compatible but complementary. He therefore encourages scientific research and technological advancement for the good of all humanity.
Intellectual Dimension: He is well-versed in the leading thinkers of the Western tradition and can converse with them comfortably through his writings and addresses.
Pro-Democracy: Fethullah Gülen recognizes democracy as the only viable political system of governance. He denounces turning religion into a political ideology, while encouraging all citizens to take an informed and responsible part in political life of their country. He stresses the flexibilities in the Islamic principles relating to governance and their compatibility with a true democracy.
Solutions to Social Problems Working on the Ground: The most striking feature of Fethullah Gülen’s life is the fact that his vision and ideas have not remained rhetorical but instead have been realized globally as 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. Notable examples of such schools include those in southeast Turkey, Central Asia, several countries in Africa, the Far East and Eastern Europe Regardless of their location, these schools are symbols of harmonious interfaith and intercultural relationships, successful unification of faith and reason, and dedication to the service of humanity. Especially in conflict-ridden regions such as the Philippines, southeast Turkey and Afghanistan, these institutions help reduce poverty and increase educational opportunities, which in turn decrease the appeal of terrorist groups with exclusivist agendas operating in these countries. In addition to contributing to social harmony, these schools produce winners in international science and math competitions.
Other Civil Society Projects: Other civic projects inspired by Fethullah Gülen’s ideas and encouragement include relief organizations, sustainable development organizations, media organizations, professional associations, and medical institutions.
More info can be found at
Home - Fethullah Gülen's Official Web Site
@
rmi5
Fethullah Gülen in Short
Qualifications
Extensive knowledge and teaching experience in Islamic scholarship. Proficient author with more than sixty books translated into many world languages. Recognized as the world's top public intellectual in
Foreign Policy /
Prospect poll in 2008. Years of service as an imam, preacher, and civil society activist with acclaimed competence as a speaker on Islam, education, and dialogue in Turkey.
Education
Classical education in Islamic scholarship at various divinity schools (Kurşunlu, Kemhan, Taşmescid) under a number of Turkey's renowned Sufi scholars and masters, such as Ramiz Gülen, Muhammed Lütfi, Haci Sitki, Sadi Efendi, and Osman Bektaş (1951–1956)
Compulsory elementary education (1946–1949)
Home schooling along with memorization of the whole Qur'an and mastering recitation skills (before 1946)
Employment
Imam / Preacher
- Voluntary Imam / Preacher, Erzurum, Amasya, Tokat, Sivas (1955–1958)
- Deputy Imam, Üçşerefeli Mosque, Edirne (1959–1961)
- Imam / Lecturer, Iskenderun, while serving compulsory military service (1961–1963)
- Member of the Public Hall, Erzurum (1963). Convened conferences and lectured on Rumi
- Qur'an Teacher / Imam, Dar'ul Hadis Mosque, Edirne (1964)
- Senior Preacher (Merkez Vaizi), Kirklareli (1965)
- Senior Preacher, Izmir (1966–1971)
- Director / Teacher, Kestanepazari Boarding Qur'anic School (1966–1971)
- Senior Preacher, Edremit (1972–1974)
- Senior Preacher, Manisa (1974–1976)
- Senior Preacher, Izmir, Bornova (1976–1980)
- Voluntary Preacher, Istanbul, Izmir, and throughout Turkey (post-retirement service) (1986–1989)
Speaker
- Delivered a series of talks in Turkey and Europe (1975–1977)
- Talks on social, cultural, and religious matters recorded and broadcast every week on HERKUL.ORG (2003– present)
Honorary President / Civil Society Leader
- Founder member of the Journalists and Writers Foundation (1994)
- Participated in interfaith gatherings and promoted dialogue through a number of events organized by this foundation. (1994–1998)
- Honorary president of Rumi Forum, Washington D.C. (1999–present)
Awards/Recognitions
- "Contribution to Harmony between Societies and Peace Award" from Kyrgyzstan Spirituality Foundation (2007)
- Awards from the Turk 2000 Foundation, the Türk Ocaklari Vakfi, the Silk Road Foundation, for his contributions to education, culture and peace (1998)
- Award from TURKSAV for his promotion of education in Central Asia (1997)
- Special November 24 Award from Türk Eğitim-Sen (1997)
- Awards from Mehmetçik Foundation (society to support soldiers fallen or injured while fighting terrorism) and the Police Department for substantial donations and from the TUSIAV Foundation for contribution to civil society, peace and education (1996)
- Nihal Atsiz Service to the Turkish World (Türk Dünyasi Hizmet Ödülü) award from the Türk Ocaklari Vakfi for his encouragement of and contribution to education in Turkey, Central Asia and the Balkans (1995)
- "The World's Top 20 Public Intellectuals" award by the magazines Foreign Policy and Prospect (2008)
- EastWest Institute's (EWI) 2011 EWI Peace Building Award for his contribution to world peace (2012)
- Manhae Grand Prize in peace category by The Society for the Promotion and Practice of Manhae's Thoughts (Manhae Foundation) in 2013
- Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world leaders list (2013)
Author
Essays for periodicals
- Lead article for every issue of Sizinti monthly magazine since its first publication in 1979 (2009 circulation 700,000)
- Contributor to Yeni Ümit, a quarterly magazine for religious studies (since 1988), and Yağmur, a literary magazine (since 1998)
- Contributor to Zaman daily newspaper with a weekly page compiled from his published works and commentaries.
Books (in Turkish – in order of first print)
- Çağ ve Nesil, 1982
- Asrin Getirdiği Tereddütler-1, 1983
- Renkler Kuşağinda Hakikat Tomurcuklari 1, 1985
- Buhranlar Anaforunda İnsan, 1986
- Ölüm Ötesi Hayat, 1987
- Yitirilmiş Cennete Doğru, 1988
- Dua Mecmuasi, 1988
- Asrin Getirdiği Tereddütler-2, 1989
- Hüzmeler ve İktibaslar, 1990
- Asrin Getirdiği Tereddütler-3, 1990
- Zamanin Altin Dilimi, 1991
- İnancin Gölgesinde 1, 1991
- Renkler Kuşağinda Hakikat Tomurcuklari 2, 1991
- İnancin Gölgesinde 2, 1992
- Asrin Getirdiği Tereddütler-4, 1992
- Günler Bahari Soluklarken, 1993
- Sonsuz Nur 1, 1993
- Sonsuz Nur 2, 1994
- Sonsuz Nur 3, 1994
- Kalbin Zümrüt Tepeleri 1, 1994
- Prizma 1, 1995
- Fasildan Fasila 1, 1995
- Fasildan Fasila 2, 1995
- Kitap ve Sünnet Perspektifinde Kader, 1995
- İla-yi Kelimetullah veya Cihad, 1996
- Yeşeren Düşünceler, 1996
- Fasildan Fasila 3, 1996
- Prizma 2, 1997
- Fatiha Üzerine Mülahazalar, 1998
- Ruhumuzun Heykelini Dikerken, 1998
- İrşad Ekseni, 1998
- Varliğin Metafizik Boyutu 1, 1998
- Varliğin Metafizik Boyutu 2, 1998
- Prizma 3, 1999
- Kirik Mizrap, 2000
- Işiğin Göründüğü Ufuk, 2000
- Kur'an'dan İdrake Yansiyanlar 1, 2000
- Kur'an'dan İdrake Yansiyanlar 2, 2000
- Ölçü veya Yoldaki Işiklar, 2000
- Mealli Dua Mecmuasi, 2000
- Fasildan Fasila 4, 2001
- Kalbin Zümrüt Tepeleri 2, 2001
- Kirik Testi, 2002
- Çekirdekten Çinara, 2002
- Prizma 4, 2003
- Yaratiliş Gerçeği ve Evrim, 2003
- Dua Ufku, 2003
- Çocuğun Dini Eğitimi, 2003
- Sabah ve Akşam Dualari, 2003
- İnsanin Özündeki Sevgi, 2003
- Örnekleri Kendinden Bir Hareket, 2004
- Kirik Testi 1, 2004
- Beyan, 2004
- Bir Kutup Varlik Anne, 2004
- Kur'an-i Kerim ve Hadis-i Şeriflerde Anne-Baba, 2004
- Sohbet-i Canan (Kirik Testi 2), 2004
- Gurbet Ufuklari (Kirik Testi 3), 2004
- Renklerin Diliyle, 2004
- Kalbin Zümrüt Tepeleri 3, 2005
- Kendi Dünyamiza Doğru, 2005
- Fikir Atlasi (Fasildan Fasila 5), 2006
- El Kulubud Daria, 2007
- Kalbin Zümrüt Tepeleri 4, 2008
- Zihin Harmani (Prizma 7), 2008
- Sükutun Çiğliklari, 2008
- Enginliğiyle Bizim Dünyamiz, 2009
Books in English
- Towards the Lost Paradise, 1996
- Pearls of Wisdom, 1997
- Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism Vol. 1, 1998
- The Essentials of the Islamic Faith, 2000
- Questions and Answers about Islam Vol. 1, 2000 (originally published in 1993)
- The Necessity of Interfaith Dialogue, 2004
- Islam and Democracy, 2004
- Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism Vol. 2, 2004
- Toward a Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance, 2004
- The Messenger of God: An Analysis of the Prophet's Life, 2005
- Religious Education of the Child, 2004
- The Statue of Our Souls, 2005
- Questions and Answers about Islam Vol. 2, 2005
- Selected Prayers of Prophet Muhammad and Great Muslim Saints, 2006
- Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism Vol. 3, 2009
- Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism Vol. 4, 2010
- Speech and Power of Expression, 2010
Languages
- Turkish (Mother Tongue)
- Arabic (Advanced)
- Persian (Advanced)
- Ottoman Turkish (Advanced)
more at
Home - Fethullah Gülen's Official Web Site