FETHULLAH GULEN - A TRUE DEDICATION TO PEACE

THE GULEN MOVEMENT - PEACE AND DIALOG
Tolerance and dialogue are among the most basic and broad dynamics of the Gülen movement. These two concepts, first developed on a small scale, have turned into a search for a culture of reconciliation on a world scale. Today, the idea of different groups peacefully living together is a philosophical issue that modern states are trying to formulate. The international relations of past empires were founded on conflict and war. Different civilizations were separated by thick walls, which were supported by political, ideological, and religious identities.

The Gülen movement is a clear example of a search, a search that has reached international proportions. Gülen strengthens this search with religious, legal, and philosophical foundations. One of the basic aims of the global education activities is to form bridges that will lead to dialogue between religions and civilizations. The long-lasting wars of the past had to do with the problem of power balance that reigned in the international relations of the day. This was probably the case for all political empires and religious formations of the past. But today, humanity is not in a position to shoulder such a conflict on the global scale. According to Gülen, Muslims today should not shape their own cultural, social, and existential identities according to destructive values which are rooted in conflict and fight; these are not aligned with the universal value system of Islam, in which peace, dialogue, and tolerance are the basic principles. Today, humanity is not in a position to bear a conflict on the global scale.



Jun 26, 2011

Gülen: Society not divided into Kemalists, Muslims in Turkey - Fethullah Gulen

Today's Zaman:
There is no division in Turkish society between Kemalists and Muslims, and all citizens of Turkey know very well how to coexist with others coming from different religions, races and languages thanks to their roots in an old empire, the Ottoman Empire, according to internationally renowned Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen.
Gülen’s remarks came in an interview he gave to the Deutsch-Türkische Nachrichten (DTN) news portal. Asked whether the divide between Kemalists and Muslims in Turkey will remain forever, the scholar said the question implies that Kemalists and Muslims are two opposite elements or notions. “We can neither talk about two dissociated groups such as Kemalists or Muslims in Turkey, nor we can talk about a ‘divide’ that is impossible to fill. We are heirs of an ‘empire’ society, which possesses characteristics of a mosaic. We have enjoyed the mosaic of different nations, religions, races and languages for centuries. Turkish society is heir to this mosaic and knows very well how to coexist with other people in peace even though they come from other religions, races or ethnicities,” Gülen stated.
Gülen, however, expressed regret that there is a small but influential group in Turkey that is disturbed by the peaceful coexistence of differences in society. “I believe that the small group I am talking about will see the reality some day, and they will realize that their interests lie in melting in a pot of rich differences. For me, this will be to the well-being of the entire world, given the importance of Turkey in its region and the world,” he added.

In response to a question over what attracts people to the Gülen movement, inspired by Gülen, the scholar pointed to the educational activities of the movement. “What probably attracts people to the movement is the importance attached to education, which is one of the fundamental needs of a human,” Gülen said, and added that followers of the movement do not seek any financial gains when educating other people, which also wins over the hearts of many.

Commenting on claims that the Gülen movement has a “hidden agenda” and that its followers work to infiltrate state posts in Turkey to replace the secular order with Shariah law, the scholar said neither he nor any member of his movement have been charged with “infiltrating” a state post in Turkey or in any country in the world. “I have been in contact with the public through my articles, speeches and activities since 1958. Lawsuits were filed against me with charges similar to the ones you have mentioned [infiltrating state posts] after military coups. Yet, no evidence has been put forward to prove the charges, and I have been acquitted in all cases. Furthermore, none of the millions of people who are said to be members of the [Gülen] movement have been sentenced due to the charges mentioned. So, is it not clear that the accusations are inconsistent?” Gülen asked.
Gülen was tried on charges of establishing an illegal organization to undermine the secular structure of the state with the aim of replacing it with a state based on Shariah law and engaging in various activities to this end. But he was acquitted of all charges in 2008.

Asked if he is planning to return to Turkey some day, Gülen expressed his longing to see Turkey after many years. “I long to see my country. Homesickness is a pain for anyone who lives away from his homeland, and it can be cured only with reunion.” Gülen currently resides in the United States.

The scholar also sent a message to Muslims and non-Muslims living in Germany, advising them to see their neighbors as their brothers, whether they belong to the same religion or not. “It is the duty of all Muslims around the world to refrain from any act that stains Islam,” he said.
 
Published on Today's Zaman, 17 June 2011, Friday
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