Fethullah Gülen
M. Fethullah Gulen is an Islamic scholar and thinker, a prolific writer and poet. He is trained in theology by several Muslim scholars and also studied the principles and theories of social and physical sciences.
Mr. Gulen is known as an ideologue of dialogue (especially interfaith dialogue) among different communities, cultures and nations, tolerance, and appreciation of diversity versus clash of civilizations. Mr. Gulen's influence through his ideas extends over much of Central Asia, Caucasus and recently over Europe and United States. He has written over 30 books and many articles published in different journals and magazines written on different themes from social to religious issues, and from art and science to music, sports and politics. He is fluent in Arabic and Persian. He has never been married.
There are some strongly secular groups in Turkey who are critical about Mr. Gulen's final aim, and there are also radical religious groups who are critical about his methods and activities such as his effort on dialogue with Christians and Jews.
Biography
Gülen was born in Pasinler, Erzurum, in eastern Turkey, in 1938. He did not have a formal education, completed primary education at home, and instead focused on an Islamic education. In 1959 was awarded a state preacher’s license (in Edirne). In 1966 he was moved to a post in Izmir. It was here that Gülen's audience base began to expand. He also traveled around the provinces in Anatolia and gave sermons mosques, town meetings and coffee houses among other places.
The range of his speeches was more versatile than that of other Islamic preachers; he talked about education, science, Darwinism, the economy and social justice. More broadly, he envisioned a society of devout Muslims who nevertheless would adopt methods and technical knowledge. His sermons were taped and distributed by a network of followers at a time when Islamic activities were viewed with suspicion.
He was a founder of the Journalists' and Writers' Foundation, a group that promotes dialogue and tolerance among all social strata. He regularly visits and receives leading Turkish and international figures: the Holy See's Ambassador to Turkey, the Patriarch of the Turkish Orthodox community, the Patriarch of the Turkish Armenian community, the Chief Rabbi of the Turkish Jewish community, as well as leading journalists, columnists, television and film stars, and thinkers of varying views.
Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. Later, between 1988 and 1991, he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities. His long career had made him a well known figure in conservative and even some secular sects of the society.
Philosophy and activities
Gülen found his philosopy and ideas based on faithful individuals, healthy society and strong state. In defining these he mostly refer to Islamic sources. Once this established, he further formulates dialogue among different communities, tolerance, accepting the others as themselves and appreciating the other not only within a specific society but in a larger spectrum.
Gülen's movement
The movement which is based on Gulen's philosophy briefly summarized above is generally called Gülen's Movement.
Gülen's Movement puts strong emphasis on education and interfaith dialogue. The movement's belief is that only through education, a better future for humanity can be established. The movement governs about one thousand schools all around the world. In these schools children from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds are educated by mainly Turkish educators who are graduates from reputable Turkish universities.
The group is working on setting up interfaith dialogue among different religions in many countries worldwide. Many believe that this approach can stop the increasing threat of a clash of civilizations.
Works
Gülen has over 30 books and many articles published in different journals and magazines written on different themes from social to religious issues, and from art and science to music, sports and politics.
Gülen contributes to a number of journals and magazines owned by his followers. He writes the lead article for the Fountain, Yeni Ümit, Sızıntı, and Yagmur, leading Islamic and philosophical magazines in Turkey. He has written more than forty books, hundreds of articles, and recorded thousands of audio and videocassettes. The videocasettes played a crucial role in promoting his ideas in his early years. Some of his books have been made available in English translations, such as, Muhammad: The Messenger of God, Questions and Answers about Faith, Pearls of Wisdom, Prophet Muhammad as Commander, The Essentials of the Islamic Faith, Towards the Lost Paradise, Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism. A number have also been translated into German, Russian, Albanian, Japanese, Indonesian, and Spanish.
A more complete list is given below:
Turkish books
Asrin Getirdigi Tereddütler vol. 1-4, Çag ve Nesil, Buhranlar Anaforunda Insan, Yitirilmis Cennette Dogru, Zamanin Altin Dilimi, Günler Bahari Soluklarken, Yeseren Düsünceler, Isigin Göründügü Ufuk, Örnekleri Kendinden bir Hareket, Fasildan Fasila vol. 1-4, Fatiha Üzerine Mülahazalar, Hüzmeler ve Iktibaslar, Ila-yi Kelimetullah ve Cihad, Inancin Gölgesinde vol. 1-2, Irsad Ekseni, Kalbin Zümrüt Tepeleri vol. 1-2, Kirik Mizrap vol. 1-2, Kitap ve Sünnet Perspektifinde Kader, Kur'an'dan Idrake Yansiyanlar vol. 1-2, Ölçü ve Yoldaki Isaretler vol. 1-4, Ölüm Ötesi Hayat, Prizma vol. 1-4, Ruhumuzun Heykelini Dikerken, Sonsuz Nur vol. 1-3, Varligin Metafizik Boyutu vol. 1-2, Yaratilis Gerçegi ve Evrim, Dua Ufku, Çekirdekten Çinara, Beyan, Bir Kutup Varlik Anne, Kuran'i Kerim ve Hadisi Seriflerde Anne-Baba, Dua Mecmuasi (Arapça), Mealli Dua Mecmuasi, Hosgörü ve Diyalog Iklimi, Çocugun Dini Egitimi, Sabah ve Aksam Dualari, Insanin Özündeki Sevgi, Kirik Testi-1, Sohbet-i Canan (Kirik Testi-2), Gurbet Ufuklari (Kirik Testi-3), Renkler Kusagi vol. 1-2, Renklerin Diliyle
Books in different languages
- English: Pearls of Wisdom, Emerald Hills of the Heart, Prophet Muhammed as Commander, Questions and Answers, Essentials of the Islamic Faith, The Infinite Light vol 1-2, Towards the Lost Paradise, Truth Through Colors
- Arabic: Advaun Kur'aniyye, El Mevazîn ev Advaun ala el-Tarîk, El-Kader Fi Dav il-Kitab Ve'l-Sünne, El-Nuru'l-Halid vaol. 1-2, Es’iletu'l-Asr el-Muhayyire, Tekellüm vol. 1-5, I'lay-i Kelimetullah ev el-Cihad, Turuku'l-Irsad
- German: Kriterien oder die Lichter auf dem Weg, Der Prophet Muhammed als Befehlshaber, Fragen an dem Islam 1, Hin zum Verlorenen Paradies, Verständnis und Glaube
- Albanian: Nga Penza E Thyer Dhe Dritat Erruges
Controversies
Gülen has supporters from a variety of religious and political camps; however Turkish people who are supporters of laicism (separation of church and state) are suspicious of his final aim. They claim that Gulen is trying to establish an Islamic order. In addition to that, some radical religious groups claim that although Gulen is identified as a Muslim leader, his methods are contrary to Islam. In mid 90's, Gulen started to meet the leaders of different religions in both Turkey and outside. The secular people considered this action as a tool that he used to increase his power and influence and radical religious groups took it as a service to Christianity and Judaism instead of Islam.
Gulen became a controversial figure in 1997, when a number of video cassettes with his sermons were broadcast on TV. Not only Gulen, but many other journalists and thinkers were blamed by some groups. The authenticity of the tapes is debated. Some of Gulen's supporters claim they were fabricated by montages of video segments taken out of context. Gulen himself explained that the footage in question was completely taken out of context; that the advice he was giving was to a group of official employees who felt marginalized by other groups within the state system that wanted them gone. Gulen explained that he advised them that they should not relinquish their careers and posts out of religious fervour but that they should remain in order to do good for the people, even if this meant not practicing their religion in the open.
Gulen's appeal to various ideological strands in Turkey differs. His supporters probably constitute the most influential Islamic movement 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 so called alleged affinity for a theocratic society and his ties to the US. For the elites, the ranks are broken by certain liberals, who point out that Gulen's group, has proven to be most willing to evolve.
Specifically worthy of mention is the ongoing tension between the Turkish army and Gulen's supporters. Due to its spearheading westernization and secularization since the late Ottoman era, and later founding the secular republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, the army has always viewed Islamic movements with suspicion and since the 1980s has identified Gulen's group as the main threat to the republic. The Turkish army has repeatedly alleged Gulen tries to infitrate its ranks and pressured politicans to take action against Gulen. In response, Gulen has explained his intentions repeatedly, praised the army publicly various times and attempted to allay its fears about the group's intentions.