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{{Infobox_Philosopher
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| region = Muslim scholar
{{Infobox ReligiousBio
| background = #00AA00 | era = Modern era
| name = Fethullah Gülen | color = #B0C4DE
| image_size = 200px
| image = ] <!-- Only freely-licensed images may be used to depict living people. See ]. -->
| religion = ] | image = Gulum.jpg
| alias =
| location = U.S.A
| Predecessor =
| Successor =
| ordination =
| post =
| previous_post =
| present_post =
| date of birth = {{birth date|1941|04|27}}
| place of birth = ], ]
| date of death =
| place of death =
| website = http://en.fgulen.com
| footnotes = Some of Gülen together with religious and community .}}


<!-- Information -->
'''Fethullah Gülen''' (born ],]) is a Turkish ],
| name = '''M. Fethullah Gülen'''
<ref name=autogenerated4></ref><ref name=carroll>{{cite book
| birth_date = ], ]
| author = {{Dead link|date=February 2010}}
| death_date =
| year = 2007
| religion = ]
| title = A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gülen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse
| citizenship = ]
| publisher = The Light, Inc.
| nationality =
| isbn = }}</ref>
| ethnicity =
modernist Islamic ], writer, and leader of the ]. He is the author of over 60 books.<ref name=enbooks></ref><ref name=trbooks></ref>
| school_tradition = ]
| alma_mater =
| main_interests = ], classical Islamic thought, education, interfaith dialogue
| influences = ], ], ], ], ]
| influenced =
| notable_ideas = service (hizmet); interfaith dialogue; civil society
}}
'''M. 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).


Gülen teaches a moderate version of ] / ] ], similar to that of ]. Gülen condemns ],<ref></ref> supports ] dialogue, and has initiated such dialogue with the Vatican and some Jewish organisations.<ref name="amazon.com"></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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}, 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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</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>


In the Turkish context, however, Gülen appears relatively conservative and religiously observant. For example, he supports that women ] 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>
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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</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=zaman144646 /><ref name=zaman146073/><ref name=zaman145137></ref><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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</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 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 "".

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 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.

==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 {{Citation needed|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>

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.{{Citation needed|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.{{Citation needed|date=January 2007}}

===Gülen movement===
{{Main|Gülen Movement}}

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>

===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>

===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>

<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>

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>{{cite web|url=http://www.fethullahgulen.org/content/view/1727/24/ |title=Fethullah Gülen's Web Site – 'A Real Muslim cannot be a Terrorist' |publisher=Fethullahgulen.org |date=2004-03-23 |accessdate=2010-02-17}}</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>

===Feminism===

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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref>

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>

==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.

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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref>

====Top Public Intellectual====
In a 2008 internet poll of ] magazine<ref name="autogenerated4"/><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.

===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"/> is held in November 2008 at ], which was titled ''Islam in the age of global challenges, Alternative Perspectives of the Gülen 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 was influenced by the ideas of ] and Maulana Jalaluddeen ].<ref> </ref>
===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"/>


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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} He also traveled around the provinces in ] and gave sermons in ]s, town meetings and coffee houses among other places. {{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
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 />


Gülen never met Said Nursi, who died in 1960. By the end of the 1970s Gülen broke ranks with the mainstream Nurcu movement {{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} (or Nur movement, i.e., the group following Nursi), which was governed by a council of elders,{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} and created his own institutions in which he was the sole leader.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} Comparing Gülen to leaders in the Nur movement, Hakan Yavuz said, "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>
In a recent interview,<ref name="zaman145137"/> 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>


His pro-business stance has led some outsiders to dub his theology an Islamic version of ].<ref> http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-907/i.html </ref> '']'' says:
Although there has been a concern about if the Turkish Cosmicus College in Holland is helping integration,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2009/01/rotterdam-councillor-claims-glen.html |title=Islam in Europe: Rotterdam: Councillor claims Gülen movement is fundamentalist |publisher=Islamineurope.blogspot.com |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2010-02-17}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2007/01/rotterdam-controversy-around-new.html |title=Islam in Europe: Rotterdam: Controversy around new "Turkish" elite school |publisher=Islamineurope.blogspot.com |date=2007-01-28 |accessdate=2010-02-17}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.fethullahgulen.org/press-room/news/3203-gulen-movement-pacifist-and-open-to-dialogue.html |title=Fethullah Gülen's Web Site – "Gülen Movement Pacifist and Open to Dialogue" |publisher=Fethullahgulen.org |date=2009-02-06 |accessdate=2010-02-17}}</ref></blockquote>


:"Gülen 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>
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>


Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. From 1988 to 1991 he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities. 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 President" by the foundation.<ref></ref> He did not make any comment regarding the closures of the Welfare Party in 1998 <ref name="biu.ac.il"/> or the Virtue Party in 2001.<ref> </ref> He has met some politicians like ] and ], but he avoids meeting with the leaders of Islamic political parties.<ref></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 ] {{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}.


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> In June 1999, after Gulen had left Turkey for the United States video tapes were sent to TV stations in Turkey with recordings of Gulen saying, "the existing system is still in power. Our friends who have positions in legislative and administrative bodies should learn its details and be vigilant all the time so that they can transform it and be more fruitful on behalf of Islam in order to carry out a nationwide restoration. However, they should wait until the conditions become more favorable. In other words, they should not come out too early."<ref></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>
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>


==Theology==
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
Gülen does not advocate a new theology but refers to classical authorities of theology and takes up their line of argument; his understanding of Islam is thus conservative and mainstream.<ref> </ref> <ref> [http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-216/i.html Portrait of Fethullah Gülen
|url=http://arama.hurriyet.com.tr/arsivnews.aspx?id=219352
A Modern Turkish-Islamic Reformist]</ref> Though he has never been a member of a Sufi ''tarekat'' and does not see ''tarekat'' membership as a necessity for Muslims, he teaches that Sufism is the inner dimension of Islam and the inner and outer dimensions must never be separated.<ref></ref> His teachings differ in emphasis from those of other mainstream, moderate Islamic scholars in two respects, both based on his interpretations of particular verses of the Qur'an: he teaches that the Muslim community has a duty of service (Turkish: ''hizmet'')<ref></ref> to the “common good” of the community and the nation <ref></ref> and to Muslims and non-Muslims all over the world <ref></ref>; also, the Muslim community is obliged to conduct interfaith dialogue with the "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians).<ref> </ref>
|accessdate=2008-07-06
|work=Hürriyet
|date=2004-04-21
|title=Ateist terörist değildir
|first=Sefa
|last=Kaplan
|language=Turkish
}}</ref>


Gülen has roundly condemned terrorism using Islamic reasoning, but 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>
===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"/> 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>


===Service (''hizmet'') to the common good===
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></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.


Gülen's teachings about ''hizmet'' (altruistic service to the "common good") have attracted a large number of supporters in Turkey and Central Asia and increasingly in other parts of the world.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} These supporters and their activities are commonly known as the ].
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>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref> The Supreme Court of Appeals confirmed the acquittal in an appeal procedure which constitute the final decision.<ref></ref><ref>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref><ref></ref>


===Interfaith and intercultural dialogue===
], an ultra-nationalist illegal organization which recently is under investigation,<ref></ref> was implied in the fabrication of the Gülen video tapes<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref> Ergenekon may have attempted to manipulate Gülen's trial,<ref></ref><ref></ref> by buying false witnesses and faking and manufacturing evidence,<ref name="gasteci1"></ref> and by the media under their control.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>{{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref> Recently, some
of the people responsible for fake up evidence is escaped from the Ergenekon trial and living outside of Turkey.<ref name="gasteci1"/><ref></ref>


Gulen movement participants have founded a number of institutions across the world which promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue activities. 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>
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>


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"/>
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>
==Works==
Gülen has authored over 60 books<ref name="enbooks"/><ref name="trbooks"/> 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 ].


==Writings and writing activities==
===Bibliography in English===
Some of his English books<ref name=enbooks/> are as listed below:


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.
'''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


Translations of his books into English include 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.
'''Education:'''
Pearls of Wisdom


===Writings on women's roles===
'''Art:'''
Truth Through Colors, Emerald Hills of the Heart


According to Aras and Caha, his views on women are "progressive" but "modern professional women in Turkey still find his ideas far from acceptable." <ref name="biu.ac.il"/> Gülen says the coming of Islam "saved" women, who "were absolutely not confined to their home and...never oppressed" in the early years of the religion. He feels that 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>
'''Social issues:'''
Towards the Lost Paradise, Towards Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance, The Statues of Our Souls


==See also== ==See also==
*] ]
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==References == ==References ==
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Revision as of 09:21, 20 February 2010

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M. Fethullah Gülen
File:Gulum.jpg
BornErzurum, Turkey
CitizenshipTurkey
EraModern era
RegionMuslim scholar
SchoolHanafi
Main interestsSufism, classical Islamic thought, education, interfaith dialogue
Notable ideasservice (hizmet); interfaith dialogue; civil society

M. 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).

Gülen teaches a moderate version of Sunni / Hanafi Islam, similar to that of Said Nursi. 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 that women veil themselves, and his female followers usually do wear headscarves.

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 was influenced by the ideas of Said Nursi and Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi.

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.

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. Comparing Gülen to leaders in the Nur movement, Hakan Yavuz said, "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."

His pro-business stance has led some outsiders to dub his theology an Islamic version of Calvinism. Oxford Analytica says:

"Gülen 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."

Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. From 1988 to 1991 he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities. 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 President" by the foundation. He did not make any comment regarding the closures of the Welfare Party in 1998 or the Virtue Party in 2001. He has met some politicians like Tansu Çiller and Bülent Ecevit, but he avoids meeting with the leaders of Islamic political parties.

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. In June 1999, after Gulen had left Turkey for the United States video tapes were sent to TV stations in Turkey with recordings of Gulen saying, "the existing system is still in power. Our friends who have positions in legislative and administrative bodies should learn its details and be vigilant all the time so that they can transform it and be more fruitful on behalf of Islam in order to carry out a nationwide restoration. However, they should wait until the conditions become more favorable. In other words, they should not come out too early." 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 does not advocate a new theology but refers to classical authorities of theology and takes up their line of argument; his understanding of Islam is thus conservative and mainstream. Though he has never been a member of a Sufi tarekat and does not see tarekat membership as a necessity for Muslims, he teaches that Sufism is the inner dimension of Islam and the inner and outer dimensions must never be separated. His teachings differ in emphasis from those of other mainstream, moderate Islamic scholars in two respects, both based on his interpretations of particular verses of the Qur'an: he teaches that the Muslim community has a duty of service (Turkish: hizmet) to the “common good” of the community and the nation and to Muslims and non-Muslims all over the world ; also, the Muslim community is obliged to conduct interfaith dialogue with the "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians).

Gülen has roundly condemned terrorism using Islamic reasoning, but 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.

Service (hizmet) to the common good

Gülen's teachings about hizmet (altruistic service to the "common good") have attracted a large number of supporters in Turkey and Central Asia and increasingly in other parts of the world. These supporters and their activities are commonly known as the Gülen Movement.

Interfaith and intercultural dialogue

Gulen movement participants have founded a number of institutions across the world which promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue activities. 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.

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.

Writings and writing activities

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.


Translations of his books into English include 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. Books by Gülen Books on Gülen and the Gülen Movement

Writings on women's roles

According to Aras and Caha, his views on women are "progressive" but "modern professional women in Turkey still find his ideas far from acceptable." Gülen says the coming of Islam "saved" women, who "were absolutely not confined to their home and...never oppressed" in the early years of the religion. He feels that western-style feminism, however, is "doomed to imbalance like all other reactionary movements...being full of hatred towards men."

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. An interview with Fethullah Gülen's primary school teacher
  6. http://tr.fgulen.com/a.page/hayati/hayat.kronolojisi/a4443.html
  7. The Gulen Movement: Communicating Modernization, Tolerance, and Dialogue in the Islamic World. The International Journal of the Humanities, Volume 6, Issue 12, pp.67-78.
  8. http://religion.info/english/interviews/article_74.shtml
  9. http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-907/i.html
  10. http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/18/turkey-islam-gulen-cx_0121oxford.html
  11. http://www.gyv.org.tr/changelang.asp?lang=2&page2go=http://www.gyv.org.tr/
  12. The Journalists and Writers Foundation Official Web Site
  15. BBC News | Europe | Turkish investigation into Islamic sect expanded
  16. Clement M. Henry, Rodney Wilson, The politics of Islamic Finance, (Edinburgh University Press 2004), p. 236
  17. Gülen's answers to claims made based on the video tapes taken from some of his recorded speeches
  18. WorldWide Religious News-Gulen acquitted of trying to overthrow secular government
  19. .
  20. Robert W. Hefner, Muhammad Qasim Zaman, Schooling Islam: the culture and politics of modern Muslim education (Princeton University Press, 2007) p. 162-3.
  21. [http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-216/i.html Portrait of Fethullah Gülen A Modern Turkish-Islamic Reformist]
  22. Thomas Michel S.J., Sufism and Modernity in the Thought of Fethullah Gülen, The Muslim World, Vol. 95 No. 3, July 2005, p.345-5
  23. Mehmet Kalyoncu, A Civilian Response to Ethno-Religious Conflict: The Gülen Movement in Southeast Turkey (Tughra Books, 2008), pp. 19-40
  24. Berna Turam, Between Islam and the State: The Politics of Engagement (Stanford University Press 2006) p. 61
  25. Saritoprak, Z. and Griffith, S. Fethullah Gülen and the 'People of the Book': A Voice from Turkey for Interfaith Dialogue, The Muslim World, Vol. 95 No. 3, July 2005, p.337-8
  26. Saritoprak, Z. and Griffith, S. Fethullah Gülen and the 'People of the Book': A Voice from Turkey for Interfaith Dialogue, The Muslim World, Vol. 95 No. 3, July 2005, p.337-8
  27. Fethullah Gülen and Atheist-Terrorist Comparison
  29. http://en.fgulen.com/conference-papers/294-the-fethullah-gulen-movement-i/2132-discursive-and-organizational-strategies-of-the-gulen-movement.html
  30. Advocate of Dialogue: Fethullah Gülen
  31. http://tr.fgulen.com/content/section/30/3/
  32. http://en.fgulen.com/recent-articles/2897-women-confined-and-mistreated.html

External links

The Gülen movement

Other sources

Categories: