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{{POV|date=January 2009}}
{{Infobox Celebrity
{{Infobox ReligiousBio
| image =
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| name = Fethullah Gülen
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| image = ] <!-- Only freely-licensed images may be used to depict living people. See ]. -->
| name =
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Fethullah Gülen
| imagesize = 250px | alias =
| caption = | location = U.S.A
| birth_date = 1941 | Predecessor =
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| birth_place = ], ]
| website = http://en.fgulen.com | ordination =
| post =
| footnotes = Some of Gülen together with religious and community .}}
| previous_post =
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| date of birth = {{birth date|1941|04|27}}
| place of birth = ], ]
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'''Mehmet Fethullah Gülen''' (b. either 1938, 1941, or 1942, possibly on 27 April) is a ] preacher, author, and educator living in self-imposed exile in ] (USA). He is the leader of the "]," an international network of schools and businesses run by his followers.


Gülen's theology can be described as a modernized, moderate version of ] / ] ], similar to that of ] (from whose movement he broke away during the 1970s). Gülen condemns ], <ref></ref>, supports ] dialogue, and has initiated such dialogue with the Vatican and some Jewish organisations.<ref name="amazon.com"></ref>
'''Fethullah Gülen''' (born ],]) is a Turkish ],
<ref name=autogenerated4></ref><ref name=carroll>{{cite book
| author =
| year = 2007
| title = A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gülen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse
| publisher = The Light, Inc.
| isbn = }}</ref>
modernist Islamic ], writer, and leader of the ]. He is the author of over 60 books.<ref name=enbooks></ref><ref name=trbooks></ref>


In the Turkish context, however, Gülen appears relatively conservative and religiously observant. For example, he supports the right of women to ] themselves <ref name="biu.ac.il">http://www.biu.ac.il/SOC/besa/meria/journal/2000/issue4/jv4n4a4.html </ref>, and his female followers usually do wear headscarves. <ref> http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10808433 </ref> The private, independent nature of his network arouses suspicion among certain ], including many in the army, <ref> ,,</ref> who fear that he is amassing a political base. <ref> http://www.newsweek.com/id/197896 </ref>
Gülen's proclaimed ideal is to promote ], and dialog of civilizations<ref name=zaman144511 >, Zaman</ref> at the international scale,<ref name=zaman144646>, Today's Zaman</ref><ref name=zaman146073></ref><ref name=prospect>, Prospect, Issue 148, July 2008</ref> and to see a
renaissance of the modern Muslim world with ] at the forefront in the local scale.<ref name=reuters></ref> 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<ref name=munley>Munley, Ann. "Contributions of the Gülen Community to Muslim Dynamism and Education" conference held on March 3rd, 2008 at Marywood University.</ref> <ref name=autogenerated2></ref><ref
name=forbes0118/> and offer a moderate vision of Islam in Muslim countries.<ref name=nyt080504/><ref name=cuttingedge></ref> He has invested in ] by meeting ] and ] leaders, including the ].<ref name=gulendialog></ref>

Gülen is characterized in the media as one of the world's most important Muslim figures,<ref name=economist10808408></ref> with the Gülen movement as one of the world's leading Muslim movements.<ref name=forbes0118></ref><ref
name=economist10808408 /> Gülen has been the subject of several academic studies.<ref>[http://en.fgulen.com/conference-papers.html
Academic Conference Papers]</ref><ref name=scholar></ref><ref></ref><ref name=autogenerated3></ref><ref></ref>

Gülen and his movement have been praised by Islamic and non-Muslim organisations.<ref name=zaman145137></ref><ref name=zaman144646 /><ref name=zaman146073/><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=135316 |accessdate=2008-07-06 |date=2008-03-01 |first=Idris |last=Gursoy |title=Feb. 21 declared ‘Gülen Institute Day’ in Houston |work=Today's Zaman }}</ref> These supporters tend to view the
movement as a modernist and moderate form of Islam; a potential counterbalance to extremism.<ref name=nyt080504>{{cite
news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/world/asia/04islam.html?ex=1367640000&en=625b88103a702f94&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink|first=Sabrina|last=Tavernise|authorlink=Sabrina Tavernise|title=Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of
Islam|date=2008-05-04|work=New York Times}}</ref><ref name=tavernise></ref> His movement has its base in ] and forms a significant factor in Turkish society.<ref name=prospect/><ref></ref><ref></ref> There are also some controversies around Gülen. Some ] claim that his objective is to abolish Turkey's
secular state; although court rulings have not supported this.<ref name=autogenerated1></ref> On the other hand, some hardline radical groups criticize his interfaith dialog efforts.


==Biography== ==Biography==
Gülen was born in ], ] 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.<ref></ref> He gave his first sermon when he was 14.<ref>http://tr.fgulen.com/a.page/hayati/hayat.kronolojisi/a4443.html</ref> In 1959 he was awarded a state ] license in ]. In 1966 he was transferred to a post in ]. 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 ] and gave sermons in ]s, 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 was born in the village of Korucuk, near ]. His father, Ramiz Gülen, was an imam. Gülen started primary education at his home village, but did not continue after his family moved, and instead focused on informal Islamic education.<ref></ref> He gave his first sermon when he was 14.<ref>http://tr.fgulen.com/a.page/hayati/hayat.kronolojisi/a4443.html</ref> He became a follower of ] before he was 18.
Gülen retired from formal ] 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 "".


In 1959 he was awarded a state preacher's license in ]. In 1966 he was transferred to a post in ]. It was here that Gülen's recurring themes—these included ], ], the ] and ]--began to crystallize and his audience base began to expand. He also traveled around the provinces in ] and gave sermons in ]s, 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.
Through his speeches, he gained a following in society. In particular, by adopting a theme that was previously explored by Said-i Nursi,<ref> See Claim 4.</ref> he envisioned a society of devout Muslims who nevertheless would adopt methods and technical knowledge that led to development in western countries.


Gülen never met Said Nursi, who died in 1960. By the end of the 1970s Gülen broke ranks with the mainstream Nurcu movement (or Nur movement, i.e., the group following Nursi), which was governed by a council of elders, and created his own institutions in which he was the sole leader. Stressing the fragmented nature of the Nurcu movement, Hakan Yavuz offers the following analysis of Gülen and his place within it:
Gülen has been living in the US since 1998 to receive better treatment for his health problems as he suffers from diabetes and a range of its side effects.


:"In terms of nationalism, Gülen is more Turkish nationalist in his thinking. Also, he is somewhat more state-oriented, and is more concerned with market economics and neo-liberal economic policies." <ref> http://religion.info/english/interviews/article_74.shtml </ref>
==Philosophy and activities==
According to Gülen his theological views lie solidly within the Turkish ] mainstream while being more responsive to modern world than other Islamic movements {{Fact|date=January 2007}}. He has also adopted some views of founder of the ] (light) movement, ], among others.<ref name=gulenansw> See Claim 4 and 9.</ref>


'']'' finds significance in Gülen's residence in Izmir, a newly-liberated (from the Greeks) city lacking the ] networks which inspired the Nurcu movement:
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.{{Fact|date=January 2007}} 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.{{Fact|date=January 2007}}


:"Gulen put Nursi's ideas into practice when he was transferred to a mosque in Izmir in 1966. Izmir is a city where political Islam never took root. However, the business and professional middle class came to resent the constraints of a state bureaucracy under whose wings it had grown, and supported market-friendly policies, while preserving at least some elements of a conservative lifestyle. Such businessmen were largely pro-Western, because it was Western (mainly U.S.) influence, which had persuaded the government to allow free elections for the first time in 1950 and U.S. aid, which had primed the pump of economic growth." <ref> http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/18/turkey-islam-gulen-cx_0121oxford.html </ref>
===Gülen movement===
{{Main|Gülen Movement}}


His pro-business stance has led some outsiders to dub his theology an Islamic version of ], or more specifically, ]. <ref> http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-907/i.html </ref>
Gülen has founded a movement to communicate his views. This movement has become an influential organization. It has opened about 500 educational institutions in more than 90 countries in ], ] and ].<ref></ref><ref>M. Hakan Yavuz and John L. Esposito, eds. ''Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gülen Movement'' (Syracuse University Press, 2003) ISBN 0815630409.</ref>


Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. From 1988 to 1991 he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities, and during the 1990s cultivated ties with moderate-religious political parties such as ] and the ]. These activities elevated him to a public figure. In 1994, he participated in the founding of "Journalists and Writers Foundation".<ref>http://www.gyv.org.tr/changelang.asp?lang=2&page2go=http://www.gyv.org.tr/</ref> and was given the title "Honorary Leader" by the foundation.<ref></ref> Gülen declined to protest the closure of an ultra-conservative party, Refah in 1997. <ref name="biu.ac.il"/>
===Interfaith Dialog===
Gülen's published works in the 1990s advocated dialog among communities and faiths, tolerance, and acceptance of others.<ref>''Toward a Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance'', ISBN 1932099689</ref> He personally met with religious leaders, including ], the Greek Orthodox ], and Israeli Sephardic Head Rabbi ].<ref>''Advocate of Dialogue: Fethullah Gülen'', ISBN 0970437013</ref>


In 1998 Gülen emigrated to the ], ostensibly for health problems (he suffers from ]) but arguably in anticipation of being tried over remarks which seemed to favor an Islamic state.<ref></ref> He was filmed as urging followers to "work patiently and to creep silently into the institutions in order to seize power in the state." <ref> http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-907/i.html </ref> Gülen complained that the remarks were taken out of context, <ref></ref> and questions were raised about the authenticity of the tape, which he accused of having been "manipulated." Gülen was tried ''in absentia'' in 2000, and acquitted in 2006. <ref></ref> The Supreme Court of Appeals later rejected an appeal by the Chief Prosecutor's Office. <ref> . </ref>
===Terrorism===
Gülen does not approve use of Islam and terrorism together <ref></ref>. That is, he agrees that such terrorism exists but argues that it is not Islamic or Muslim. He formulates his ideas as "A Real Muslim cannot be a Terrorist". He has written an article in response to the September 11 attacks saying:<ref></ref><ref></ref>


==Theology==
<blockquote>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.</blockquote>


Gülen has authored over 60 books <ref>http://tr.fgulen.com/content/section/30/3/</ref> 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 '''', '''', '''', and '''', Islamic and philosophical magazines in ].
A question asked by Nuriye Akman of ]: '' 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:<ref>http://www.fethullahgulen.org/content/view/1727/24/</ref>
<blockquote>
One of the people in the world I hate the most is 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.</blockquote>


===Interfaith dialogue, terrorism===
===Feminism===


While Gülen's earlier works are (in Bekim Agai's words) "full of anti-missionary and anti-Western passages" <ref> http://en.fgulen.com/conference-papers/294-the-fethullah-gulen-movement-i/2132-discursive-and-organizational-strategies-of-the-gulen-movement.html </ref>, during the 1990s he began to advocate interreligious tolerance and dialogue.<ref name="amazon.com"/> He personally met with leaders of other religions, including ], the Greek Orthodox ], and Israeli Sephardic Head Rabbi ].<ref></ref>
Gulen has progressive views on the question of women's rights. He believes that the veiling of women is a detail in Islam, and that "no one should suppress the progress of women through the clothes they wear." Gulen also states that, "no one should be subject to criticism for his or her clothing or thoughts." Furthermore, he says, "women can become administrators," contradicting the views of most Islamic intellectuals. Despite these views, modern professional women in Turkey still find his ideas far from acceptable.<ref> http://www.biu.ac.il/SOC/besa/meria/journal/2000/issue4/jv4n4a4.html</ref>


In 2004 debate arose over comments by Gülen to the effect that terrorism was as despicable as atheism.<ref></ref> In a follow-up interview he explained he did not intend to equate atheists and murderers; rather, he wanted to highlight the fact that according to Islam both were destined to suffer eternal punishment.<ref> </ref> On another occasion he said:
The coming of Islam, Gülen claims, "saved" women, who "were absolutely not confined to their home and...never oppressed" in the early years of the religion. Western-style feminism, however, is "... occurred as a reaction and was doomed to imbalance like all other reactionary movements and ended up in extremism. Although the starting point was to defend women, in time it deviated from the original aim to the degree of being full of hatred towards men and to feeling a grudge against them."<ref></ref>


:"One of the people in the world I hate the most is Osama Bin Laden, because he has spoiled the bright appearance of Islam. He has 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."<ref></ref>
==Works==
Gülen has authored over 60 books<ref name=enbooks></ref><ref name=trbooks></ref> 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 '''', '''', '''', and '''', Islamic and philosophical magazines in ]. Some of his books are available in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].


Similar to Said Nursi, Gülen favors cooperation between followers of different religions (this would also include different forms of Islam, such as Sunnism vs. ]sm in Turkey) as well as religious and secular elements within society. He has been described as "very critical of the regimes in Iran and Saudi Arabia" due to their undemocratic, ]-based systems of government. <ref name="biu.ac.il"/>
===Bibliography in English===
Some of his English books<ref name=enbooks/> are as listed below:


===Feminism===
'''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

==Views on Gülen==
===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 '']'' magazine and the French daily '']''. In the '']'' 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.<ref name=forbes0118/> In an article in '']'', the Gülen movement is reported as a Turkish-based movement, vying to be recognized as the world's leading Muslim network,<ref name=economist10808408 /> and Gülen himself as one of the world's most important Muslim figures. ] also analyzed Gülen and Gülen movement in a recent article <ref name=reuters />: Gülen wants to see a renaissance of the modern Muslim world with ] at the forefront.

In a 2008 internet poll of ] magazine<ref name=autogenerated4></ref><ref></ref> Gülen was named as the top public thinker <ref name=autogenerated2 />. Concerns about the validity of the poll were raised though, as it seems likely that press attention to the poll in Turkey increased voting for Gülen dramatically. Gülen was interviewed by a correspondent from ''Foreign Policy'' after the poll was closed.<ref name=fppullresult></ref> He stated that he has never imagined being or wished to be chosen as something important in the world, but he has always tried to be a humble servant of God and a humble member of humanity.

Gülen was described as the modern face of the Sufi Ottoman tradition in an article in the center-left British monthly, '']''. ''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 <ref></ref>.

===Academic studies about Gülen===
Gülen has been the subject of several academic studies.<ref name=scholar></ref> In November 2006 conference was held at the ] titled ''The Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice'', and in October 2007 a conference was held at the ], under the sponsorship of the ], and the ] to study Gülen and his movement. Yet another conference<ref name=autogenerated3></ref> is held in November 2008 at ], which was titled ''Islam in the age of global challenges, Alternative Perspectives of the Gülen Movement''.

===Community perception===
Gülen and his movement have won praise from many{{Who|date=June 2009}} non-Muslim quarters, with their belief in ], ] and multi-party ]. They are viewed as modernist and all-embracing Muslims, who can counterbalance extremism in the Muslim world. For instance, ] of ] has stated that they come from a moderate blend of Islam that is very inclusive.'<ref name=nyt080504/><ref name=tavernise/> 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.<ref name=nyt080504/> 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.<ref name=cuttingedge></ref>

Gülen gains respect from the ] 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.<ref name=zaman144646 />

In a recent interview,<ref name=zaman145137></ref> İzzettin Doğan, a well-known leader of ] circles and President of ], mentioned Gülen as a thinker and a philosopher. He expressed his respect and said that:
<blockquote>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.<ref name=zaman145137/>
</blockquote>
A made by the local government of ], Texas indicates the appearance of Gülen's ideas in the Western world. Feb. 21 is declared Day in ]. 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 ] 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:
<blockquote>We both believe in dialogue, in respecting and trying to understand each other, in building bridges between main cultures and religions.'<ref name="zaman146073"/>
</blockquote>

Although there has been a concern about if the Turkish Cosmicus College in Holland is helping integration<ref> </ref>, the Dutch minister of Education, Maria van der Hoeven, stated in the reopening ceremony of the College that the schools is making history. She gave the school a subsidy of 300,000 euro because she found the teaching program impressive, the participation of the parents innovative and because the education at Cosmicus is directed at integration <ref name=hollandme></ref>. In response to questions by the commission members, Integration Minister Eberhard Van der Laan has also stated in Dutch parliamentary commission that
<blockquote>An overall analysis of this movement demonstrates that it is pacifist and prone to dialogue. Obviously the movement also believes that Islam and modernism can coexist. It is active in different fields, but lacks a central unit or hierarchical structure. I may even say that we would do better to talk about an alliance of loosely affiliated independent institutions rather than a movement. Of course, there are criticisms directed at this entity, and some even raise concerns about its activities. Opponents and skeptics argue that members of this movement hide their real agenda; however, when we review their activities in Holland, we see that their work facilitates integration. Letters addressed to me by Dutch parents whose children study at Cosmicus College confirm this, stressing that there are no different or unusual practices in this school.<ref
name=hollandim>http://www.fethullahgulen.org/press-room/news/3203-gulen-movement-pacifist-and-open-to-dialogue.html]</ref></blockquote>

Ann Munley, the president of Pennsylvania's Marywood University, has likened Turkish schools to islands of peace.<ref name=munley /><ref name=zaman080314>{{cite news |url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=136369 |accessdate=2008-07-06 |date=2008-03-14 |work=Today's Zaman |first=Kadir |last=Bulut |title=American university president likens Turkish schools to islands of peace }}</ref>

==Controversies==
Gülen is a controversial figure for some {{Who|date=June 2009}} secularists in Turkey.<ref></ref> On the other hand, some {{Who|date=June 2009}} radical groups severely criticize his interfaith dialog efforts. Controversies over Gülen are even enhanced after his meeting with the ] {{Fact|date=June 2009}}.

In a recent{{When|date=June 2009}} interview, professor and a leader of ] circles, 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.<ref></ref>

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.<ref>, Today's Zaman</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://arama.hurriyet.com.tr/arsivnews.aspx?id=219352
|accessdate=2008-07-06
|work=Hürriyet
|date=2004-04-21
|title=Ateist terörist değildir
|first=Sefa
|last=Kaplan
|language=Turkish
}}</ref>

===Legal issues===
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.<ref name=gulenansw> See Claim 4 and 9.</ref> Some sources claim that Gülen was convicted, likely referring to the lower court decision abrogated by the higher court.<ref name="NatReview"></ref><ref></ref>

Gülen has been living in the US since 1998. Several months after Gülen had moved to the ] 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 prerecorded video
cassettes."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/374649.stm BBC News | Europe | Turkish investigation into Islamic sect
expanded<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Gülen himself explained that the footage was montaged collation of fragment and presented completely 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.<ref></ref> 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.

In spite of his statement, Gülen was prosecuted in 2000 for inciting his followers to plot the overthrow of Turkey's secular government. In 2006 he was cleared of the accusations and acquitted by a court decision taken unanimously.<ref
name=autogenerated1></ref><ref></ref> The Supreme Court of Appeals confirmed the acquittal in an appeal procedure which constitute the final decision.<ref>[http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=145680
Court rejects prosecutor's objection to Gülen's acquittal]</ref><ref>[http://www.zaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=146098
Renowned Islamic scholar Gülen cleared of all charges]</ref><ref></ref>


Despite self-claimed "progressive views" on women, "modern professional women in Turkey still find his ideas far from acceptable." (So Aras and Caha.) <ref name="biu.ac.il"/> The coming of Islam, Gülen claims, "saved" women, who "were absolutely not confined to their home and...never oppressed" in the early years of the religion. Western-style feminism, however, is "doomed to imbalance like all other reactionary movements...being full of hatred towards men..." <ref> http://en.fgulen.com/recent-articles/2897-women-confined-and-mistreated.html </ref>
], an ultra-nationalist illegal organization which recently is under investigation<ref>
[http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=147963 Ergenekon investigation to shed light on Turkey’s dark
history]</ref>, was implied in the fabrication of the Gülen video tapes<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>[http://www.zaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=147854
Ergenekon Founding Document]</ref> Ergenekon may have attempted to manipulate Gülen's trial <ref></ref><ref></ref>, by buying false witnesses and faking and manufacturing evidence,<ref> [http://www.gasteci.com/haber16007.htm General, what
kind of evidence should we create against Gülen?]</ref> and by the media under their control.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref>. Recently, some
of the people responsible for fake up evidence is escaped from the Ergenekon trial and living outside of Turkey<ref></ref><ref></ref>.


==Books==
A recent document dated April 2009 in Turkish press discovered as part of the ongoing Ergenekon investigation have revealed plans to
weaken the Gülen movement and to support with individuals arrested on charges of Ergenekon gang membership. Documents allegedly
prepared by a colonel on active duty have revealed that the TSK had a systematic plan to damage the image of the the Gülen movement in the eyes of the public. It is also reported that plots for degradation of Gülen and Gülen movement dates back at least about 30
years<ref></ref>. They also aim to show followers of the Gülen movement as being engaged in illegal acts. <blockquote>We will enable the discovery of weapons, ammunition and documents at the addresses of Gülen's followers as if they were members of a terrorist organization. The movement will be named ‘Fethullah's Armed Terrorist Organization' (FSTÖ) and investigations into its members will be carried out by military prosecutors. We will focus on the concept of moderate Islam and emphasize that the Gülen movement aims to cause Islam to deviate from its original form.</blockquote> continue the documents. The General Staff has announced that an investigation has been launched into recently revealed documents.<ref></ref><ref></ref>


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, Muhammad: The Messenger of God, Questions and Answers about Faith, Towarda Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance, Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism (3 vols), The Statues of Our Souls, etc.
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. Gülen appealed and the court ordered that USCIS shall approve Gülen's petition for alien worker as an alien of extraordinary ability by August 1, 2008.<ref>{{cite court |litigants = Fethullah Gülen v. Michael Chertoff, et al |vol = 2008 |reporter = U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54607 |opinion = Civil Action No. 07-2148 |court = United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania |date = July 16, 2008 |url= http://www.bibdaily.com/pdfs/Gulen%207-16-08.pdf}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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Revision as of 17:35, 12 September 2009

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Fethullah Gülen
Religious life
ReligionIslam
Muslim leader
Based inU.S.A

Mehmet Fethullah Gülen (b. either 1938, 1941, or 1942, possibly on 27 April) is a Turkish preacher, author, and educator living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania (USA). He is the leader of the "Gülen movement," an international network of schools and businesses run by his followers.

Gülen's theology can be described as a modernized, moderate version of Sunni / Hanafi Islam, similar to that of Said Nursi (from whose movement he broke away during the 1970s). Gülen condemns terrorism, , supports interfaith dialogue, and has initiated such dialogue with the Vatican and some Jewish organisations.

In the Turkish context, however, Gülen appears relatively conservative and religiously observant. For example, he supports the right of women to veil themselves , and his female followers usually do wear headscarves. The private, independent nature of his network arouses suspicion among certain Turkish secularists, including many in the army, who fear that he is amassing a political base.

Biography

Gülen was born in the village of Korucuk, near Erzurum. His father, Ramiz Gülen, was an imam. Gülen 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. He became a follower of Said Nursi before he was 18.

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—these included education, science, the economy and social justice--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 never met Said Nursi, who died in 1960. By the end of the 1970s Gülen broke ranks with the mainstream Nurcu movement (or Nur movement, i.e., the group following Nursi), which was governed by a council of elders, and created his own institutions in which he was the sole leader. Stressing the fragmented nature of the Nurcu movement, Hakan Yavuz offers the following analysis of Gülen and his place within it:

"In terms of nationalism, Gülen is more Turkish nationalist in his thinking. Also, he is somewhat more state-oriented, and is more concerned with market economics and neo-liberal economic policies."

Forbes finds significance in Gülen's residence in Izmir, a newly-liberated (from the Greeks) city lacking the Naqshbandi networks which inspired the Nurcu movement:

"Gulen put Nursi's ideas into practice when he was transferred to a mosque in Izmir in 1966. Izmir is a city where political Islam never took root. However, the business and professional middle class came to resent the constraints of a state bureaucracy under whose wings it had grown, and supported market-friendly policies, while preserving at least some elements of a conservative lifestyle. Such businessmen were largely pro-Western, because it was Western (mainly U.S.) influence, which had persuaded the government to allow free elections for the first time in 1950 and U.S. aid, which had primed the pump of economic growth."

His pro-business stance has led some outsiders to dub his theology an Islamic version of Protestantism, or more specifically, Calvinism.

Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. From 1988 to 1991 he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities, and during the 1990s cultivated ties with moderate-religious political parties such as Refah and the AK Party. These activities elevated him to a public figure. In 1994, he participated in the founding of "Journalists and Writers Foundation". and was given the title "Honorary Leader" by the foundation. Gülen declined to protest the closure of an ultra-conservative party, Refah in 1997.

In 1998 Gülen emigrated to the United States, ostensibly for health problems (he suffers from diabetes) but arguably in anticipation of being tried over remarks which seemed to favor an Islamic state. He was filmed as urging followers to "work patiently and to creep silently into the institutions in order to seize power in the state." Gülen complained that the remarks were taken out of context, and questions were raised about the authenticity of the tape, which he accused of having been "manipulated." Gülen was tried in absentia in 2000, and acquitted in 2006. The Supreme Court of Appeals later rejected an appeal by the Chief Prosecutor's Office.

Theology

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.

Interfaith dialogue, terrorism

While Gülen's earlier works are (in Bekim Agai's words) "full of anti-missionary and anti-Western passages" , during the 1990s he began to advocate interreligious tolerance and dialogue. He personally met with leaders of other religions, including Pope John Paul II, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos, and Israeli Sephardic Head Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron.

In 2004 debate arose over comments by Gülen to the effect that terrorism was as despicable as atheism. In a follow-up interview he explained he did not intend to equate atheists and murderers; rather, he wanted to highlight the fact that according to Islam both were destined to suffer eternal punishment. On another occasion he said:

"One of the people in the world I hate the most is Osama Bin Laden, because he has spoiled the bright appearance of Islam. He has 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."

Similar to Said Nursi, Gülen favors cooperation between followers of different religions (this would also include different forms of Islam, such as Sunnism vs. Alevism in Turkey) as well as religious and secular elements within society. He has been described as "very critical of the regimes in Iran and Saudi Arabia" due to their undemocratic, sharia-based systems of government.

Feminism

Despite self-claimed "progressive views" on women, "modern professional women in Turkey still find his ideas far from acceptable." (So Aras and Caha.) The coming of Islam, Gülen claims, "saved" women, who "were absolutely not confined to their home and...never oppressed" in the early years of the religion. Western-style feminism, however, is "doomed to imbalance like all other reactionary movements...being full of hatred towards men..."

Books

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, Muhammad: The Messenger of God, Questions and Answers about Faith, Towarda Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance, Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism (3 vols), The Statues of Our Souls, etc. His Books

See also

Gülen movement

References

  1. Fethullah Gülen: A life dedicated to peace and humanity - True Muslims Cannot Be Terrorists
  2. ^ Toward a Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance
  3. ^ http://www.biu.ac.il/SOC/besa/meria/journal/2000/issue4/jv4n4a4.html
  4. http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10808433
  5. ,,BBC News: Army chief demands Islamist purge
  6. http://www.newsweek.com/id/197896
  7. An interview with Fethullah Gülen's primary school teacher
  8. http://tr.fgulen.com/a.page/hayati/hayat.kronolojisi/a4443.html
  9. http://religion.info/english/interviews/article_74.shtml
  10. http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/18/turkey-islam-gulen-cx_0121oxford.html
  11. http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-907/i.html
  12. http://www.gyv.org.tr/changelang.asp?lang=2&page2go=http://www.gyv.org.tr/
  13. The Journalists and Writers Foundation Official Web Site
  14. BBC News | Europe | Turkish investigation into Islamic sect expanded
  15. http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-907/i.html
  16. Gülen's answers to claims made based on the video tapes taken from some of his recorded speeches
  17. WorldWide Religious News-Gulen acquitted of trying to overthrow secular government
  18. .
  19. http://tr.fgulen.com/content/section/30/3/
  20. http://en.fgulen.com/conference-papers/294-the-fethullah-gulen-movement-i/2132-discursive-and-organizational-strategies-of-the-gulen-movement.html
  21. Advocate of Dialogue: Fethullah Gülen
  22. Fethullah Gülen and Atheist-Terrorist Comparison
  24. Fethullah Gülen: A life dedicated to peace and humanity - Muslims Should Say, "In True Islam, Terror does not Exist."
  25. http://en.fgulen.com/recent-articles/2897-women-confined-and-mistreated.html

External links

The Gülen movement

Other sources

Categories: