Fethullah Gülen

M. Fethullah Gülen
Born	1941 Erzurum, Turkey
Occupation	Islamic scholar
Spouse	Never married
Website	http://en.fgulen.com

Fethullah Gülen (born 27 April,1941) is a philosopher, modernist Islamic scholar, writer, and leader of the Gülen movement. He is the author of over 60 books.

Gülen's proclaimed ideal is to promote peaceful coexistence, and dialog of civilizations at the international scale, and to see a renaissance of the modern Muslim world with Turkey at the forefront in the local scale. Gülen’s understanding of religion is considered as one with a liberal and democratic nature. Fethullah Gülen has started a movement. In many countries schools are opened according to his philosophy. These schools are intended to promote peace and dialog in general and offer a moderate vision of Islam in Muslim countries. He has invested in interfaith dialog by meeting Jewish and Christian leaders, including the Pope.

Gülen is characterized in the media as one of the world's most important Muslim figures, with the Gülen movement as one of the world's leading Muslim movements. Gülen has been the subject of several academic studies.

Gülen and his movement have been praised by Islamic and non-Muslim organisations. These supporters tend to view the movement as a modernist and moderate form of the Islam; a potential counterbalance to extremism. His movement has its base in Turkey and forms a significant factor in Turkish society. There are also some controversies around Gülen. Some secularists claim that his objective is to abolish Turkey's secular state; although court rulings have not supported this. On the other hand, some radical groups criticize his actions, especially interfaith dialog efforts, as a diversion from true Islam.

Biography

Gülen was born in Erzurum, Turkey in 1941. He started primary education at his home village, but did not continue after his family moved, and instead focused on informal Islamic education. He gave his first sermon when he was 14. In 1959 he was awarded a state preacher's license in Edirne. In 1966 he was transferred to a post in İzmir. It was here that Gülen's recurring themes began to crystallize and his audience base began to expand. He also traveled around the provinces in Anatolia and gave sermons in mosques, town meetings and coffee houses among other places. From İzmir on, he placed a special emphasis on promulgating his ideas to high school and college students and recruiting them for his movement.

Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. From 1988 to 1991 he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities. His long career had made him a well-known figure in Islamic circles, however, it was the interfaith dialog efforts, Islamic political activism and his courtship with the center-right political parties in the 1990s that made him a public figure. In 1994, he helped found the "Journalists and Writers Foundation" and was given the title "Honorary Leader" by the foundation.

Through his speeches, he gained a following in society. In particular, by adopting a theme that was previously explored by Said-i Nursi, he envisioned a society of devout Muslims who nevertheless would adopt methods and technical knowledge that led to development in western countries .

Top thinker

Gülen was recently listed among the top hundred public intellectuals by Foreign Policy magazine. He got most of the votes in the online ballot in which more than half a million people participated, and finished in first place in the poll . The organizers stated that the votes in the favor of Gülen accelerated after the poll was publicized by Turkey's largest-circulation newspaper, Zaman, which is closely aligned with him.

This unexpected result in favor of Gülen raised some controversies. Some commentators interpreted the results as "the poll is hijacked". Bulent Kenes, who is editor-in-chief of Today's Zaman newspaper refused this claim and explained poll result by saying that "There are many people who promote Gülen's ideas, which contribute to world peace by urging international dialog and tolerance."

The result of the poll is reported in the Guardian along with a news video from Turkey, in an article titled "Islamic scholar voted world's No 1 thinker" . Gülen was described as the modern face of the Sufi Ottoman tradition in an article in the center-left British monthly, Prospect. Prospect reported that Gülen insists on friendship among people of all faiths and that "no one should be seen as an outsider." "Millions of people inside and outside Turkey have been inspired by Gülen," the magazine said, citing "a combination of charisma, good organization and an attractive message" as reasons for his overwhelming support worldwide .

Media Coverage

The ideas of Fethullah Gülen, and the schools opened by his followers in many countries have recently been the subject of articles by Forbes magazine and the French daily Le Monde. In the Forbes article entitled "Gülen Inspires Muslims Worldwide", the chief characteristic of the Gülen movement is identified as not seeking to subvert modern secular states but rather encouraging practicing Muslims to use to the fullest the opportunities those countries offer. In an article in The Economist, the Gülen movement is reported as a Turkish-based movement, vying to be recognized as the world's leading Muslim network, and Gülen himself as one of the world's most important Muslim figures. Reuters also analyzed Gülen and Gülen movement in a recent article : Gülen wants to see a renaissance of the modern Muslim world with Turkey at the forefront.

Gülen and his movement have won praise from many non-Muslim quarters, with their belief in science, interfaith dialogue and multi-party democracy. They are viewed as modernist and all-embracing Muslims, who can counterbalance extremism in the Muslim world. For instance, Sabrina Tavernise of New York Times has stated that they come from a "moderate blend of Islam that is very inclusive." In the same newspaper, Turkish schools opened and operated by Gülen movement are accounted in an article titled, "Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam" exclusively based on the Pakistan example. In fact, in a weekly journal of Pakistan, Cutting Edge, Gülen and his movement is analyzed, recently. Gülen is described as "An icon of universal peace" in an article with the same title.

Less prestigiously, Gulen's schools have been closed in Tashkent and St. Petersburg, being accused of supporting Islamic groups (Tashkent) and diverging from the state curriculum (St. Petersburg). The St. Petersburg school filed an appeal. Consequently, the school's founding rights were restored with a ruling handed down on March 25, 2008. The education committee referred the case to the 13th Appeals Court for a reversal of the lower court’s decision. The appeals court announced its verdict on July 1, upholding the ruling of the administrative court. The 13th Appellate Court also canceled all the bylaws made by the educational committee in the absence of the Turkish entrepreneurs and returned the school’s license. International School No. 664, in St. Petersburg, was re-opened in July 2008 after having its license revoked for over a year.

Academic studies about Gülen

Gülen has been the subject of several academic studies. In November 2006 one conference was held at the University of Oklahoma titled The Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice, and in October 2007 a second conference was held at the House of Lords, under the sponsorship of the London School of Economics, and the University of London to study Gülen and his movement. Yet another conference[6] will be held in November 2008 at Georgetown University, which is titled Islam in the age of global challenges, Alternative Perspectives of the Gülen Movement.

Dr. B. Jill Carroll of Rice University compared the view of Gülen and those of Confucius, Plato, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and Jean Paul Sartre on inherent human value, moral dignity, freedom, education and responsibility, in her book titled A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gülen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse. She also stated in an Interfaith Voices program, an independent public radio show that promotes interfaith understanding through dialog, that it is surprising that the West knows little about Fethullah Gülen, a respected Turkish intellectual and scholar: "I am baffled by the fact that Gülen is not known adequately by the West though he has served a great deal to the improvement of dialogue between faiths and cultures for so many years". She described Gülen’s understanding of religion as: "Gülen’s understanding of religion has a liberal and democratic nature. His main objective is to contribute to the education of world children and improve inter-religious dialogue". Another academic, Ann Munley, the president of Pennsylvania's Marywood University, has likened Turkish schools to islands of peace.

Community perception

Gülen and his movement have won praise from many non-Muslim quarters, with their belief in science, interfaith dialogue and multi-party democracy. They are viewed as modernist and all-embracing Muslims, who can counterbalance extremism in the Muslim world. For instance, Sabrina Tavernise of New York Times has stated that they come from a 'moderate blend of Islam that is very inclusive.' In the same newspaper, Turkish schools opened and operated by Gülen movement are accounted in an article titled, 'Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam' exclusively based on the Pakistan example. In fact, in a prestigious weekly journal of Pakistan, Cutting Edge, Gülen and his movement is analyzed, recently. Gülen is described as 'An icon of universal peace' in an article with the same title.

Gülen gets respect from the Jewish circles of the international society as well. Center for Interreligious Understanding Director Rabbi Jack Bemporad has said the Gülen movement, led by well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen, aims to create a more peaceful world and invites all people to unity.

In a recent interview, İzzettin Doğan, a well-known leader of Alevi circles and President of Cem Foundation, mentioned Gülen as a thinker and a philosopher. He expressed his respect and said that: 'He has made positive contributions to the construction of cemevis (Alevi places of worship). Years ago, he said, "Cemevis should be constructed next to mosques." This is a considerably important statement. In addition, he is open to discussion. In this regard, I never had any doubts about Gülen's ideas'.

A decision made by the local government of Houston, Texas indicates the appearance of Gülen's ideas in the Western world. Feb. 21 is declared Gülen Institute Day in Houston. It is stated in the decision letter that the organization, whose honorary president is Fethullah Gülen, serves all humanity without discrimination and boosts mutual understanding and respect and cooperation among people from diverse backgrounds. Similarly, Former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has said the ideas of Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish-Muslim scholar, and the activities of his movement are in complete harmony with the approach of The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, which Bondevik currently heads. He stated that: 'We both believe in dialogue, in respecting and trying to understand each other, in building bridges between main cultures and religions.'

Philosophy and activities

According to Gülen his theological views lie solidly within the Turkish Sunni mainstream while being more responsive to modern world than other Islamic movements . He has also adopted some views of founder of the Nur (light) movement, Said Nursi, among others.

Gülen claims the modern world is plagued by individuals' lack of faith, and in particular, the failure to adopt scientific methods while in the same time preserving moral values and belief in God. Gülen argues science and faith are two different aspects of the truth, and that science can benefit from or requires a moral foundation from religion.

He has guided his supporters to open about 500 educational institutions in more than 90 countries in Eurasia, Africa and North America.

The Gülen movement

The Gülen movement consists of volunteer organizations that are ideologically connected under the leadership of Gülen. The predominantly Turkish volunteers, who are educated or have received support from the institutions founded by the movement, run more than a thousand schools all over the world.[7] It has founded universities of its own, an employers' association, unions, and hundreds of sub-organizations including charities, real estate trusts, lobby groups, student bodies, radio and television stations, and newspapers. The movement as a whole counts several hundred thousand of members, possibly millions, making it one of the largest Islamic movements in Turkey. According to some estimates, the movement controls about 25 billion dollars.

One of the main characteristic of the movement is that it is faith-based but not faith-limited. There are many Christians, even at the community leadership level, in several countries feel themselves close to or inspired by the movement.

In an article in The Economist, the Gülen movement is reported as a Turkish-based movement, which sounds more reasonable than most of its rivals, is vying to be recognized as the world's leading Muslim network. It is also stated that Gülen has also won praise from many non-Muslim quarters, with his stated belief in science, inter-faith dialog and multi-party democracy. He is an intensely emotional preacher, whose tearful sermons seem to strike a deep chord in his listeners; but the movement he heads is remarkably pragmatic and businesslike. As a global force, the Gülenists are especially active in education. They claim to have founded more than 500 places of learning in 90 countries. A conference staged in London, October 2007 was co-hosted by four British universities, plus the House of Lords, yielded a slick, 750-page report of the proceedings.

Ann Munley, president of Pennsylvania's Marywood University, has stated that "Turkish people establish schools all across the world and show great self-sacrifice in educating people of all races and religions. The Gülen movement considerably contributes to the establishment of these schools." In a recent article titled 'Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam', in New York Times, it is stated that the Turkish schools, which have expanded to seven cities in Pakistan since the first one opened a decade ago, offer an alternative approach that could help reduce the influence of extremism.

Professor Thomas Michel from Georgetown University expressed belief that the Gülen movement is not political in nature: "This movement has never been engaged in politics. It has reached millions of children all across the world and helped with their education regardless of their races, languages, religions and nationalities. This is a great self-sacrifice and success."

Doctor B. Jill Carroll of Rice University in Houston, has noted in an Interfaith Voices program, an independent public radio show that promotes interfaith understanding through dialog, that the Gülen movement has become a global and transnational one: 'Gülen has greatly impacted three generations in Turkey. He also influences considerable masses all across the world with his speeches and deeds. He leads a very modest life. Thousands of institutions have been established all around the globe by the Gülen movement, but he doesn’t undertake the administration of even one of them. When people see such aspects of this movement, they say ‘these are not Muslims in words, they are real Muslims'. She also praised Turkish schools, established around the globe with Gülen’s pioneering. 'These schools invest in the future and aim at creating a community that offers equal opportunities for everyone.'

Turkish sociologist Nilüfer Göle, known for her studies on modernization and conservatism, classified the Gülen movement and the schools governed by the movement as the world's most global movement. She stated that Turkish schools bring people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds together in peace.

A recent article titled 'A modern Ottoman' says: 'Fethullah Gülen leads a global movement inspired by Sufi ideas. He promotes an open brand of Islamic thought and he is preoccupied with modern science.' It also states, 'He and his movement are at home with technology, markets and multinational business and especially with modern communications and public relations.'

Interfaith Dialog

Gülen's published works in the 1990s advocated dialog among communities and faiths, tolerance, and acceptance of others. He personally met with religious leaders, including Pope John Paul II, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos, and Israeli Sephardic Head Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron.

Gülen Thoughts on Terrorism

'A Real Muslim cannot be a Terrorist'

Gülen does not approve use of Islam and terrorism together . That is, he agrees that such terrorism exists but argues that it is not Islamic or Muslim. He has written an article in response to the September 11 attacks saying:

We condemn in the strongest of terms the latest terrorist attack on the United States of America, and feel the pain of the American people at the bottom of our hearts.

A question asked by Nuriye Akman of Zaman: It appears that al-Qaeda network has a cell in Turkey. You explained about the religious side of the matter. Does it have different meanings as well? Gülen's response was:

One of the people in the world I hate the most is [Osama] Bin Laden, because he spoiled the bright appearance of Islam. He created a dirty image. Even if we try to fix that terrible damage with all our best, it would take years. We will tell about it everywhere in different platforms. We will write books about it. We will say, 'this is not Islam.' Bin Laden replaced Islamic logic with his feelings and desires. He is a monster, as are the men around him. If there is any one similar to them, they too are nothing more than monsters.

Works

Gülen has authored over 60 books and many articles on a variety of topics: social, political and religious issues, art, science and sports, and recorded thousands of audio and video cassettes. He contributes to a number of journals and magazines owned by his followers. He writes the lead article for the Fountain, Yeni Ümit, Sızıntı, and Yağmur, Islamic and philosophical magazines in Turkey. Some of his books are available in English, German, Russian, Albanian, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean,Spanish and Kazakh.

Bibliography in Turkish

Some of his Turkish books are as listed below:

Philosophy of religion: Asrın Getirdiği Tereddütler, Fikir Atlası, Kitap ve Sünnet Perspektifinde Kader, Kavramlar, Varlığın Metafizik Boyutu, Zihin Harmanı

Religion: Dua Ufku, Fatiha Üzerine Mülâhazalar, İ‘lâ-yı Kelimetullah veya Cihad, İnancın Gölgesinde, İrşad Ekseni, Kitap ve Sünnet Perspektifinde Kader, Kur‘ân‘dan İdrake Yansıyanlar, Ölüm Ötesi Hayat, Sonsuz Nur

Education: Ölçü veya Yoldaki Işıklar, Çocuk Terbiyesi, Prizma

Science: Yaratılış Gerçeği ve Evrim

Art: Beyan, Hüzmeler ve İktibaslar, Kalbin Zümrüt Tepeleri, Kırık Mızrap, Yeşeren Düşünceler

Social issues: Buhranlar Anaforunda İnsan, Çağ ve Nesil, Çekirdekten Çınara, Fasıldan Fasıla 1-4, Günümüzde Gençliğin Problemlerine Doğru, Günler Baharı Soluklarken, Işığın Göründüğü Ufuk, Kendi Dünyamıza Doğru, Kırık Testi, Örnekleri Kendinden Bir Hareket, Ruhumuzun Heykelini Dikerken, Yitirilmiş Cennete Doğru, Zamanın Altın Dilimi

Interviews: Amerika'da Bir Ay

Bibliography in English

Some of his English books are as listed below:

Philosophy of religion: Questions and Answers, Essentials of the Islamic Faith, Questions and Answers about Faith, Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism (3 vols)

Religion: Muhammad: The Messenger of God, Prophet Muhammed as Commander, The Infinite Light vol 1–2

Education: Pearls of Wisdom

Art: Truth Through Colors, Emerald Hills of the Heart

Social issues: Towards the Lost Paradise, Towards Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance, The Statues of Our Souls

Controversies

Gülen is a controversial figure for some secularists in Turkey. While his followers and a significant part of Turkish society respects him as a humanistic figure at the service of Islam, a large fraction of society perceives him as a significant threat who aims to transform the country's secular system. On the other hand, some radical groups severely criticize his actions, especially interfaith dialog efforts, as a diversion from Islam. Controversies over Gülen are even enhanced by his interfaith dialog activities including meeting with the Pope John Paul II.

Gülen states that there have not been any court rulings against him in spite of various accusations, and that the conviction decision by the lower court in 1971 was abrogated by the higher court, and the case, which was being heard again, was dropped in view of a general amnesty that was given at that time. Some sources claim that Gülen was convicted, likely referring to the lower court decision.

Despite his large number of followers and significant influence in Turkish society and politics, he has been living in the US since 1998. Several months after Gülen had moved to the United States to receive better treatment for his health problems (he suffers from diabetes and a range of its side effects) a scandal developed. Gülen was claimed to have urged his followers in the judiciary and public service to "work patiently for the sake of the (Islamic) state." In 2000 Gülen was prosecuted for inciting his followers to plot the overthrow of Turkey's secular government. He was acquitted unanimously in 2006. The Supreme Court of Appeals has rejected the Chief Prosecutor's Office's objection to the acquittal of Fethullah Gülen. This is the final decision for his long trial process started in 2000.

Gülen himself explained that the footage in question was completely taken out of context (he was giving advice to a group of official employees who felt marginalized by other groups within the state system that wanted them gone), and that he can't be judged for intent, only deeds. Accordingly, he advised them that they should not relinquish their careers out of religious fervor but that they should remain in order to do good for the people, even if this meant not practicing their religion in the open.

Gülen's appeal to various ideological strands in Turkey differs. His supporters probably constitute the most influential Islamic and political movements in Turkey both for its human and financial capital. Various other shades of the Islamic movement and conservative segments of society are generally sympathetic to him. His detractors are mostly in the nationalistic wing of the secularists, critical of his alleged affinity for a theocratic society and his strategic support from the US. For the elites, the ranks are broken by certain liberals, who point out that Gülen's group, at least in its public representation, has proven to be most willing to evolve and most open to international influence.

Due to its spearheading westernization and secularization since the late Ottoman era, and later founding the secular republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the military has always viewed Islamic movements with suspicion and since the 1980s has identified Gülen's group as a threat to the republic. In 1986, a military court has determined the existence of Gülen's supporters in the military academy and the group was purged. From then on, the Turkish military has repeatedly alleged that Gülen tries to infiltrate its ranks and pressured politicians to take action against Gülen.

Gülen was widely criticized in 2004 when he, in contrast with his public calls for tolerance, commented that he considered terrorism to be equally despicable as atheism. In a follow-up interview he declared he did not intent to equate atheists and murderers; rather, he wanted to highlight the fact that according to Islam both were destined to suffer eternal punishment.

In June 2008, Gülen's application for a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, widely known as the green card,has been refused by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS. The U.S. Attorney defending USCIS said Gülen was a religious and political figure and that, aiming to promote himself and his movement by paying academics to write about him. On the other hand, it is responded that 'honorarium' which is defined as a payment for conference talks, is a standard application in all academic conference organizations. 'It is suspicious that the news and distortions about Gülen's visa application case is followed immediately by his acquittal from the ongoing trial from 2000, and aims to veil this outcome', his lawyer claimed. The U.S. Attorney added, none of Gülen's books are about education or educational models; they are entirely religious works. Moreover, the statement that an educational model has been created by blending traditional secular educational system and tolerance toward faiths is not convincing.

Gülen filed lawsuit for the reconsideration of the verdict. According to press reports 27 people submitted letters of reference to support his case in U.S. federal court. Among the names are a Graham Fuller - former CIA agent and deputy chair of National Intelligence Council On July 16, 2008, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania found that Fethullah Gülen has extraordinary ability in education, and that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)' denial of Gülen's petition was contrary to law. The court has ruled that Gülen's visa application is improperly rejected and ordered the government to reverse the decision. The court ordered that USCIS shall approve Gülen's petition for alien worker as an alien of extraordinary ability by August 1, 2008. The judiciary process about his application is currently ongoing.

Michael Rubin (historian), a scholar from American Enterprise Institute, criticized movements political aspirations by drawing parallels between Khomeini's return to Iran in 1979 and Gülen's possible return to Istanbul in 2008.. Gülen responded to such claims by saying that, 'People claiming that I will return like Khomeini will get embarrassed.' 'If I return, I will do it like myself, and continue being as I have always been. I have always refrained others who shows respect to me from doing that', he added. Gülen argued the analogy which is tried to be established by further explaining that, he is not from Iran, has never had any intentions and ideas in parallel with what Khomeini did or had. Ziya Meral of Turkish Daily News classified this analogy as a 'faulty comparison' from historical and sociological points of view.

In a recent interview, professor Izzettin Dogan expressed his respect and stated that he has never doubt about Gülen's openness and ideas, although he is not always agree with him. He commented further that Gülen aims to Islamise Turkey by democratic means using education. Professor Hakan Yavuz from University of Utah, a long time Zaman (newspaper) contributor and author of Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gülen Movement published by Syracuse University, also stated in an interview that the movement has always been political, is powerful in the media, the education ministry and the police force. Cemal Usak, a member of Journalist and Writer's foundation is stated in response that 'Our main problem is working with secular fundamentalists... They don't know us and they don't want to know us. They have great prejudice...They are suspicious of everything". Economist also claimed that many of Turkey's police are believed to be Gülen sympathizers—an interior minister once gave a figure of 70%. However, that the movement is 'apolitical' but has links with almost all Turkish political parties, save the main secular opposition. Professor Thomas Michel from Georgetown University is also expressed belief that the Gülen movement is not political in nature.

The claims such as Gülen is attempting to revert the secular state, trying to obtain bureaucratic offices for this purpose, etc are investigated by the Turkish courts and end up in a recent acquittal decision taken unanimously. It is stated that most of such claims are fabricated by Ergenekon gangs which has ties to Neo-Nazi organizations and under investigation recently for a military coup and infiltration to and illegal organization in the military ranks, and by the media under their control.

See also

• Islam in Turkey

External links

The Gülen movement

• Fethullah Gülen's official website
• The Gülen Institute
• Fethullah Gülen Conference
• The Journalists and Writers Foundation
• Understanding Fethullah Gülen
• Fethullah Gülen and Media
• Zaman Newspaper Turkish Edition
• Today's Zaman English Edition
• Samanyolu TV
• Mehtap TV
• Ebru TV
• Hazar TV
• Rumi Forum

Other sources

• Fethullah Gülen and his Liberal "Turkish Islam" movement
• Turkish Islam's Moderate Face
• The Gülen Movement: a modern expression of Turkish Islam
• The Nurcu Movement in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
• Turkey's Champion of Interfaith Dialogue
• The Economist- Fethullah Gülen- A farm boy on the world stage
• Reuters - Turkish Islamic preacher - threat or benefactor?
• Prospect Magazine - Islam 1 Prospect 0
• Fethullah Gülen sources and documents