FOREIGN POLICY: Honorary President Fethullah Gulen on TOP500 list

Fethullah Gulen, Rumi Forum's Honorary President appeared on Foreign Policy's Global TOP500 list.



See also in FP: FOREIGN POLICY - Meet Fethullah Gülen, the World's Top Public Intellectual

The FP Power Map

The 500 most powerful people on the planet.

MAY/JUNE 2013

Is it possible to identify the 500 most powerful individuals on the planet -- one in 14 million? That's what we tried to do with the inaugural FP Power Map, our inventory of the people who control the commanding heights of the industries that run the world, from politics to high finance, media to energy, warfare to religion. Think of it as a list of all the most important other lists....

SOURCE:  http://bit.ly/RF-TOP500

Fethullah Gülen: How to get an interview

Justin Vela writes:

 

Gülen, in particular, is fascinating to me. And, yes, the fascination comes from more than being chastised by one of the Gülen Movement’s newspaper as an “emotional” and “biased” reporter. A weeks ago, I pressed a senior member of the movement on how I could interview Gülen. The man laughed. If you want to interview Gülen you should read everything that he has said and everything that has already been written about him, the man said. Then submit a list of original questions that have not already been answered.

It sounds so simple. And I am working on it. However, Gülen has said a lot and there’s been a lot written about him. So I could use some help. If you have an original question you’d like me to ask Gülen in the near future do let me know. Of course, it will be nice to have his thoughts on being chosen one of TIME’s 100 most influential people for 2013. But there’s a lot more to ask a man whose teachings have created an international movement.

SOURCE: http://justinvela.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/how-to-interview-fethullah-gulen/

TODAYS ZAMAN: Gülen among TIME magazine's 100 most influential people

Gülen among TIME magazine's 100 most influential people



18 April 2013 /TODAY'S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL


Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has made it onto Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

This is the 10th year the magazine has listed its 100 most influential people shaping the world.

This year, the magazine put seven cover portraits of “TIME 100” honorees who it said reflect the “breadth and depth of our list.” They include Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai,
musician and businessman Jay Z, actress Jennifer Lawrence, politician Rand Paul, inventor and entrepreneur Elon Musk, Chinese tennis player Li Na and Bollywood star Aamir Khan.
In 2008, Gülen came out on top of a list of "The World's Top 20 Public Intellectuals" put together by the magazines Foreign Policy and Prospect.

Gülen is a Turkish Islamic scholar well known for his teachings promoting mutual understanding and tolerance between cultures. Now residing in the US, Gülen has pioneered educational activities in a number of countries, along with efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the world.

He has also written nearly 50 books in Turkish, some of which have been translated into several languages. He was most recently honored with the EastWest Institute's (EWI) 2011 EWI Peace Building Award for his contribution to world peace.

Throughout his life and until today, Gülen has been greatly influenced by the ideas and writings of many Muslim scholars, such as Said Nursi, Mawlana Jalaladdin Rumi, Abu Hanifa, Ghazali, Imam Rabbani and Yunus Emre.

Gülen is regarded as the founder and inspirer of the global social movement known as the Hizmet (Service) Movement, more popularly known as the Gülen Movement.

In 1959, Gülen was awarded a state preacher's license in Edirne, Turkey. He was then transferred in 1966 to a religious post in İzmir. It was in İzmir that Mr. Gülen's progressive ideas of education, science, the economy and social justice began to take shape and his supporters began to increase.

During this time, he traveled to various provinces in Anatolia giving lectures in mosques, coffee houses and other community meeting places.

In 1994, Gülen co-founded the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) and was given the title "Honorary President" by the foundation.

In March 1999, upon the recommendation of his doctors, he moved to the US to receive medical care.

Despite the high regard millions hold for him, Mr. Gülen considers himself a volunteering member of the civil society movement he helped found and does not accept any credit of leadership for the Hizmet (Service) Movement.

Gülen currently resides in Pennsylvania and continues to write and give talks on various subjects.

The jailed leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, was also included on the magazine's list.

SOURCE: http://todayszaman.com/news-312996-gulen-among-time-magazines-100-most-influential-people.html

Statement from Fethullah Gulen Condemning Boston Marathon Attack

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 17, 2013

Statement from Fethullah Gulen Condemning Boston Marathon Attack

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic bomb attack at the Boston Marathon that cost the lives of innocent people and injured many more. I express my absolute condemnation of this senseless act of violence that accomplished nothing more than the infliction of unbearable pain on innocent people. I send my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and my prayers for a speedy recovery of the injured.

On this sad occasion, I reiterate my condemnation of all forms of terror, which can never be justified by its perpetrators or their stated purposes. I hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice and steps will be taken to prevent such horrific acts in the future. In difficult times such as this, I believe we must reaffirm our shared values of peaceful dialogue and mutual respect.”

About Fethullah Gulen

Fethullah Gulen is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades-long commitment to interfaith tolerance and altruism has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Described as one of the world’s most important Muslim figures, Gulen has reinterpreted aspects of Islamic tradition to meet the needs of contemporary Muslims. He has dedicated his life to interfaith and intercultural dialogue, community service and providing access to education. He was the first influential Muslim public figure to publicly condemn the 9/11 attacks and express sympathy for the American people.

About Alliance for Shared Values

The Alliance for Shared Values is a non-profit organization serving as a centralized platform for

collaboration and a unifying voice for cultural, civic, and service organizations associated with the Hizmet social movement in the United States.

SOURCE: 

 http://www.afsv.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Statement-from-Gulen-on-Boston-April-17.pdf

WSJ: Fethullah Gulen among TIME Magazine's "World's 100 Most Influential People" for 2013

NEW YORK, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mr. Fethullah Gulen has been named as one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2013. TIME recognized Gulen for "preaching a message of tolerance that has won him admirers around the world." The 2013 TIME 100 includes other noted world leaders such as Pope Francis, Aung San Suu Kyi, Malala Yousafzai and President Obama. In the past, TIME has honored global leaders such as the Dalai Lama and Pope Benedict XVI in their TIME 100 list.

Gulen is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate who dedicated his life to interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and reinterpreted aspects of Islamic tradition to meet the needs of contemporary Muslims. He is the inspiration behind Hizmet, a civil society initiative that advocates for the ideals of human rights, equal opportunity, democracy, non-violence and the emphatic acceptance of religious and cultural diversity. Hizmet brings to life these principles through the work of its participants in community service, intercultural dialogue and education.

Over the years, Hizmet volunteers have established more than 1000 schools, dormitories and tutoring centers, taught college preparatory courses, mentored students, and provided financial aid to those in need. With a focus on science, math, social science, art and literature, its award-winning schools have been set up in more than 100 countries around the world -- from Eastern European and Eurasian countries to Afghanistan and Pakistan; from South East Asian countries to Australia as well as in the United States and in 49 countries across Africa.

"Mr. Gulen has taught us to not only emphatically accept religious, cultural, social and political diversity, but actually celebrate diversity because he considers this diversity divine will," said Alp Aslandogan, president of the Alliance for Shared Values. "Mr. Gulen has dedicated his life to interfaith tolerance and peaceful coexistence with people of all faiths and backgrounds."
About Alliance for Shared Values

Inspired by the work of Mr. Gulen, the Alliance for Shared Values is an umbrella non-profit organization serving as a voice for civic, culture and service groups associated with the Hizmet social movement in the U.S. and serves as information hub for Mr. Gulen's works and views. Dedicated to promoting community service, education and interfaith dialogue, the Alliance works with people and organizations of all backgrounds and faiths to promote greater understanding, cooperate on meaningful projects and build stronger bonds. Read more on our website www.afsv.org or join the conversation at https://twitter.com/AfSV_US or www.facebook.com/afsv.org

SOURCE Alliance for Shared Values

Web site: http://www.afsv.org

ANNOUNCEMENT Fethullah Gulen, Rumi Forum Honorary President, named in 2013 TIME 100 list

We were delighted to hear today that Mr. Fethullah Gulen, an inspiration for many of our volunteers and donors, was named as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2013.

Being named on the TIME100 list is recognition we see befitting of Mr. Gulen, who has dedicated his life to interfaith tolerance and peaceful coexistence with people of all faiths and backgrounds. His reinterpretation of aspects of Islamic tradition not only meets the needs of contemporary Muslims, but also inspires millions in Turkey and around the world to promote community service, intercultural dialogue and education.

The 2013 TIME 100 includes other noted world leaders such as President Obama and Pope Francis . In the past, TIME has honored global leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Pope Benedict XVI and Aung San Suu Kyi in their TIME 100 list. Last year, TIME’s honorees in education were Salman Khan and Cami Anderson.

TIME recognized Gulen for “preaching a message of tolerance that has won him admirers around the world.” As you may know, Hizmet volunteers over the years have been involved in building schools, dormitories and tutoring centers, teaching college preparatory courses, mentoring students, and providing financial aid to those in need. With a focus on science, math, literature and multicultural understanding, its award-winning schools have been established around the world, including Indonesia, Congo, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, South Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

To read more about Mr. Gulen’s and Hizmet’s efforts in education, please visit the Alliance for Shared Values at www.afsv.org. The Rumi Forum is a member organization of AFSV.

To read more about Rumi Forum,  please visit  www.rumiforum.org

You can also follow us on

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Blog:                http://rumiforum.blogspot.com

Thank you all for your continued support  and service to Rumi Forum

Best,

Emre Celik

President

Rumi Forum

Fethullah Gulen on 2013 Time100 - Our reasons why

Fethullah Gulen on 2013 Time100 along side President Obama and Pope Francis

We at the Rumi Forum thought to list the top reasons why we thought Fethullah Gulen was placed on the 2013 TIME 100 list.

• always stressed the importance of education and the gravity of ignorance to social cohesion
• a role model to his peers and friends in regards to service of others
• encouraged all peoples and communities to collectively serve together for the betterment of humanity
• his personal quest for knowledge and education inspired millions to learn and develop intellectually
• encouraged philanthropy to millions of business people and individuals to support the poor and less fortunate
• inspired dynamic generations to serve globally, never favoring one community of people over another
• encouraged people of faith to break bread together and overcome misunderstanding between communities
• lived a simple and austere life dedicated to speaking and writing about the virtues of service, learning, and personal and spiritual development
  
  

See quotes from the original article: http://bit.ly/TIME100RFblog

TIME100 - Fethullah Gulen in LEADERS category along side President Obama & Pope Francis

Leaders

Fethullah Gulen
Turkish educator and Islamic scholar, 71
By Stephen Kinzer
April 18, 2013

Quote from the article:

"Fethullah Gulen is among the world’s most intriguing religious leaders. From a secluded retreat in Pennsylvania, he preaches a message of tolerance that has won him admirers around the world.

Schools founded by Gulen’s followers thrive in an estimated 140 countries. Doctors who respond to his wishes work without pay in disaster-afflicted countries...."

Read more: http://bit.ly/TIME100RF

MEDIA: A perseverant Kurdish man at the Turkish school in #Siberia - #GULEN

Abdulhamit Bilici

April 4, 2013

This is the story of a Turkish language teacher of Kurdish-descent from Turkey who worked in Yakutia, Russia. He is one of the volunteers in Hizmet (the Gulen Movement). We speak of a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue these days. HizmetNews hopes that this story will give you hints of a sustainable solution for the issue. It was originally published on June 25, 2011.

Abdulhamit Bilici

Muharrem was a teacher born and raised in Diyarbakır from a middle class family with 4 children. Many reasons that made his friends rebel against the Turkish Republic and join the PKK were probably valid for him too. Yet he proceeded in a different direction. He wanted to finish a vocational school and start working as admission to a university was a distant dream for him. Until he bet with someone and started college preparation courses with the help of a relative. At the end of the academic year, he won the bet and entered the Economics Department at Marmara University in Istanbul.

A surprise was awaiting him when he finished college in 1994. He was offered a Turkish language teaching position at a Turkish school in the capital Yakutsk of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Siberia, Russia. He was only 24. Nothing popped up in his mind when he heard of Yakutia Republic, a country with the second largest diamond reserves after South Africa and three times larger than Turkey. He could not place this country, he never heard of before on the map. Along with its location he learned the long nights and long days of the country. His family left the decision to him and he accepted the job. On the way to Yakutia he was supposed to go through Moscow where he had to wait for 3 hours. They stayed in a hotel-like place at night. He was adviced to wait until the next day and never open the door for anyone. He only knew how to say yes and no in Russian anyway. The next day he arrived at the Yakutsk Airport all by himself only with the address of the school written in a piece of paper. The cab took him to the building he would spend the next 9 years of his life through an icy road. There was no housing so along with three other teachers he was going to live in a tiny room at the school, where the students were from the elite of the country including the grandchildren of the President.

During their stay at this tiny room, they had all sorts of problems. Since the weather could be as cold as minus forty eight degrees celcius, all the windows were covered with a thick layer of ice throughout the year. Because of the freezing weather, they needed special outfits to survive. But as Muharrem couldn't afford a fur coat, he had to do with a horse-hair one for a year.

Another issue he faced was communication with his family back in Turkey. Since there were no phones of any kind that he could use at the time, the only way for him to communicate with his parents was through letters that took one-and-a-half month to reach Turkey. Although it was by no means a solution to all these issues, after six months of struggle in this tiny room, they finally found an apartment.

Fed up with all the hardship, Muharrem was reluctant to stay another year in this far away land. His love of teaching stopped him from going back home so he stalled his return thinking he would return after seeing his first students graduate. He was planning to get married with his fiancée after going back to Turkey. But nothing went as planned, a return was not in near sight, so the fiancée was only able to wait for two years, deciding to break up with him. Broke up gave them both hard time. In the end, he would only return after nine years of struggle. Going back home, he would find out nearly all his friends were married and pursuing different goals all around Turkey. As a man of perseverance, he would only get married at thirty-five, seen quite late in Turkey.

Muharrem has been living in Moscow for seven years. So I ask to this hardworking Turkish language teacher of Kurdish descent who managed to survive nine years in one of the toughest countries where Turkish schools are present how he feels when he watches the Turkish Language Olympiads held every year in June. “Seeing the outcome of our effort makes us even more grateful to God, I didn't have the brightest life of all, but if Lord asks me about what I did for him, I can claim to have struggled nine years in Yakutia,” he says. Seeming absolutely okay with the idea of teaching Turkish as someone with a Kurdish descent, he adds, “Language is not the only value we share as Turks and Kurds. Religion, history and Hizmet (Gulen movement) won't even suffice to tell you the one-third of these values.”

Stories, with this kind of unknown heroes, were the reason why, during the finale of the Turkish Language Olympiads, the well-known Turkish film producer Sinan Çetin got emotional and expressed his appreciation to Fethullah Gulen for inspiring this movement.

Source: Zaman Newspaper June 25, 2011

FETHULLAH GULEN: A brief biography

FETHULLAH GULEN BIOGRAPHY

Fethullah Gulen , the Honorary President of the Rumi Forum, is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades-long commitment to interfaith tolerance and altruism has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Described as one of the world’s most important Muslim figures, Gulen has reinterpreted aspects of Islamic tradition to meet the needs of contemporary Muslims. He has dedicated his life to interfaith and intercultural dialogue, community service and providing access to education. He was the first influential Muslim public figure to publicly condemn the 9/11 attacks and express sympathy for the American people.

Gulen is the inspiration behind Hizmet, a transnational civil society initiative that began as a grassroots community in the 1970s. Hizmet advocates for the ideals of human rights, equal opportunity, democracy, non-violence and the emphatic acceptance of religious and cultural diversity. Efforts of Hizmet participants around the world center on: promoting philanthropy and community service, investing in education for cultivating virtuous individuals, and organizing intercultural and interfaith dialogue for peaceful coexistence.

The Rumi Forum is a member organization of Alliance for Shared Values. For more information about Gulen or Hizmet, please visit the Alliance for Shared Values at www.afsv.org.

Born into a humble family in Erzurum, Turkey in 1941, Gulen studied natural science, Eastern and Western philosophy, as well as Islamic tradition in his early years. He moved to Edirne in the late 1950s and to Izmir, Turkey’s third largest province, in 1960s, where he started to crystallize his views. His activism and discourse attracted the attention of learned citizens, including the academic community and college students, as well as common people. From mosques to conference halls, Gulen discussed issues ranging from religion, peace, education and science, to the economy and other pressing social issues of the time, especially social justice.

In the following two decades, Gulen’s efforts in reforming Turkey’s education institutions, which had long favored the wealthier students from urban centers, made him one of the best-known and respected figures in Turkey. By inspiring the establishment of scholarships, tutoring centers, schools and student hostels, Gulen gave disenfranchised rural students access to education, thereby transforming the social landscape of Turkey. 

In the last two decades, Hizmet has expanded education opportunities around the world — including Indonesia, Congo, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, South Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan — building schools, dormitories and tutoring centers, teaching college preparatory courses, mentoring students, and providing financial aid to those in need. Gulen has also advocated for the education of women and embraced equal rights, a progressive view that stands in contrast to the views of more literalist Islamic leaders.

Gulen’s focus on community service and education has inspired millions of Hizmet volunteers, who have established more than 1,000 schools, tutoring centers, colleges, hospitals and relief organizations in more than 100 countries around the world. These schools focus on science, math, literature and multicultural understanding, and many of their students have won major international math and science competitions. In conflict-ridden regions of the Philippines, Macedonia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia, hundreds of Hizmet schools have become bastions of inter-religious and interethnic harmony, while relief organizations have been instrumental in bringing aid to disaster victims in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Gulen rejuvenated the Turkish tradition of interfaith dialogue and strongly advocates pro-democracy, equal opportunity, pro-science, non-violent stances. One of the core tenets of his teachings is the celebration of religious, cultural, social and political diversity. Gulen considers this diversity divine will; according to him, “you must have a seat for every person in your heart.”

Gulen’s lifelong work on interfaith cooperation has earned him recognition from Christian and Jewish leaders in his homeland Turkey and a personal audience with the late Pope John Paul II. He is also the recipient of New York-based East West Institute’s 2011 peace award. His efforts have also been praised by other global leaders who recognize his vital role in fostering understanding and peace as well as his leadership in humanitarian initiatives. In 2008, Gulen was ranked #1 in Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines’ joint poll of the “Top 100 Public Intellectuals.”

Gulen currently lives in relative solitude at a retreat facility in Pennsylvania, where he dedicates his time to reading, writing and personal worship, and to promoting shared values, dialogue and peace.  

The Rumi Forum is dedicated to peace building through interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding working to increase social harmony and highlighting of service social justice issues.

More information about the Rumi Forum at www.rumiforum.org

Please also sign up for our events and newsletters here:

http://www.rumiforum.org/newsletters/newsletters/

Rumi Forum Peace and Dialogue Dinner, Charlottesville 2013

STATEMENT on Boston Bombings - Rumi Forum - April 16, 2013

The Rumi Forum condemns the actions of those responsible for the horrific incidents in Boston yesterday. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the victims and their families, the wider Boston community and all Americans. Terror, violence and the killing of innocent people can never lead to beneficial results. The Rumi Forum believes that dialogue is the most important way to bring people together to discuss differences and plays the utmost important role of overcoming prejudice and ignorance.




More information about the Rumi Forum can be found here:
www.rumiforum.org

MEDIA: Gülen Institute awards student essay winners in Washington

The Rumi Forum was honored to co-organize with the Gulen Institute the Awards Ceremony on Capitol Hill.

Gülen Institute awards student essay winners in Washington

Student essay winners and US Representatives pose for a group photo on Wednesday night after the award ceremony at the House of Representatives' Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. (Photo: AA, Mehmet Toroğlu)

11 April 2013 /TODAY'S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL

The University of Houston's Gülen Institute on Wednesday bestowed awards on 30 young people for their winning essays on the subject of immigration and evacuation, in Washington, D.C.

Nearly 600 compositions written by students from 40 countries and 30 US states had been entered into the Gülen Institute's international essay competition. The awards ceremony was held at the House of Representatives' Rayburn House Office Building. US Congressmen Scott Peters, Al Green, Andy Barr, Susan Brooks, Gene Green, Pete Olson and Pete Gallego attended the ceremony.

Praising the Gülen Institute for its cultural and educational activities, Green said he has witnessed how the institute brings people together in Houston.

The first place prize of $3,000 went to George Abraham from the US state of Florida. Gawoon Shim from South Korea took second place, while Vaishnavi Rao of California received the third place award in the essay contest.


The congressmen in attendance awarded the 35 young students with certificates of recognition from Congress and congratulated them on behalf on their constituencies.

The winners were also given a three-day excursion in Washington. During this sponsored tour, students had the opportunity to visit various tourist attractions, meet with members of Congress and community leaders and participate in discussions.

Green, US representative for Texas's 29th congressional district, praised the Gülen Institute for its role in strengthening Turkish and American relations during his speech at the awards ceremony, stating that the Gülen Institute helps people understand better Turkey-US relations.

Brooks, the US representative for Indiana's 5th congressional district, said she was very pleased to attend the ceremony and added she took a pride in delivering an award on behalf of the Gülen Institute. Stating that the students studied hard to be able to succeed in the competition, Brook told the students that she was very impressed with their work.

Olson, US Representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district, thanked the Gülen Institute for organizing such a competition during his speech in the ceremony.

Gülen Institute Chairman M. Sait Yavuz said they started holding the essay writing competition four years ago, adding that the students handle the problems in the world with purer and clearer intentions than the adults.

Established in October 2007, the Gülen Institute is a non-profit research organization dedicated to the promotion of peace and civic welfare.


SOURCE: http://www.todayszaman.com/news-312300-gulen-institute-awards-student-essay-winners-in-washington.html

RESPONSE Eurasianet- Turkey: How Durable is Gülen Movement?

Below is a response to the Eurasianet article that we placed on this blog a few days ago. The source article is on Justin Vela's blog.

A response to Turkey: How Durable is Gülen Movement?

Today, a member of the Gülen Movement e-mailed regarding my recent article “Turkey: How Durable is Gülen Movement?”

He gave permission for me to post his response, asking to remain anonymous because his words are not an official position of the movement.

And I saw your piece on the Movement.

I understand that you are trying to give a balanced view but I am kind of having hard time understanding if it is a necessary to reduce something down to weak and shaky although it is doing far better than that. Anyway it’s your discretion and I respect that.

 I have some points about Mr. Yavuz’s arguments;

“The movement dies with the leader….” Yes if it the leader is more of a carismatic figure rather than someone creating the paradigm and institutionalising it…and the followers rationalising and internalizing the perspective as a way of life.

The level of institutionalisation is far more avanced than those Nur movements. The consensus was limited to “what is right” in that movement back in time. But now it is more like there is a consensus about “what is right, how to promote it and with which tools” and this consensus is working almost perfectly around the globe. An organisation that big, you can’t run on only the carisma of the opinion leader. It already became a way of life. Comparing it to political parties is a huge mistake for an academic figure like Mr. Yavuz. These are two distinct and uncomparable entities.

The relations with Ak Party;

Ak party convinces the participants and symphatizers of the movement on some issues and can’t do that on some other. The analysis that movement is too close to Ak party is just picturing the times the gov’t has convincing arguments. The question here is “Why does it have to be an either/or question?” The people in the movement support the gov’t on some issues and don’t on some others. Why can’t it be that clear?

And about Mr. Gulen getting skewed news; he is not a naive person, nothing needs to be said on that. It is possible of course but it is an extreme possibility. Of course he is not running any of the Hizmet institutions but so far these institiutions have not gone astray from the perspective of Hizmet. If he sees a deviation from the principles of the movement he kindly reminds those principles and that would be received with great sensitivity.

SOURCE: http://justinvela.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/a-response-to-turkey-how-durable-is-gulen-movement/

EURASIANET: Turkey: How Durable is Gulen Movement?

Turkey: How Durable is Gülen Movement?

 
Justin Vela

Turkish spiritual leader Fethullah Gülen, 72, has long been rumored to be in a precarious state of health. But well-informed followers offer assurances that the international network of schools, businesses, media-outlets, and civil-society organizations that his movement has built is prepared for a stable transition.

Gülen, who is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential Turkish theologians of his generation, has lived a quiet existence on a rural estate in the US state of Pennsylvania for the past 14 years. He is known to have diabetes, problems with the nerves in his knees and a weak immune system. "Any small sickness could have a big influence on him," said Mustafa Yeşil, the head of the Istanbul-based Journalists and Writers Foundation, one of the movement's most prominent organizations.

Yeşil, who meets with Gülen in the United States about once a month, said the movement's founder rarely goes outside. "Even this change of weather could be risky for him."

However, Yeşil insisted that neither Gülen's current condition nor his death would have a major impact on the movement he has assembled, a network that now extends far beyond Turkey’s borders. "His passing away would definitely have a negative influence in terms of motivation,” Yeşil said. “But the projects would still be carried out, and administration-wise, it would not be affected by his death."

While there is no designated successor, Yeşil said that there are individuals within the movement's organizations who have internalized Gülen's teachings and who are capable of providing guidance following his death. He cited two organizations -- the Istanbul-based TUSKON trade organization and the Journalists and Writers Foundation -- as potential sources of leadership.

Fevzi Bilgin, the head of the Rethink Institute in Washington, DC, another Gülen-linked organization, said the movement was mature enough to survive without Gülen. "We wish hocaefendi a long life," Bilgin said, using an honorific title for Gülen. "We want him to be around. We get constant inspiration from him. At the same time, I think most organizations are pretty much established right now. They are not really getting directives from him."

He pointed out that the movement now has third-generation adherents who are steeped in Gülen’s philosophy. "Since they were little kids they were probably going … to the weekend schools,” Bilgin said. “They grew up in it. They believe this is the way to go."

Some outside observers aren’t so sure that the movement can endure without its founder. One such skeptic is M. Hakan Yavuz, the author of the book Toward an Islamic Enlightenment: The Gülen Movement. "When the leader dies, the movement dies with it, but it influences the next movement, it shapes the next Muslim movement," Yavuz contended.

Yavuz cited several precedents that could apply to a Gülen Movement transition. One occurred in 1993, when former Turkish prime minister Turgut Özal died, and his Motherland Party (ANAP) soon thereafter became politically irrelevant. Another dates back to 1960, when Turkish Islamic leader Said Nursî died and a group of elders tried to keep his Nur Movement alive for a time. Ultimately, the Nur Movement split apart, with one faction evolving into the Gülen Movement. "Later, there were major tensions between the elders," Yavuz noted. "And it fragmented into different parts. I think the same thing will happen to the Gülen Movement."

Yavuz described himself as an admirer of Gülen's teachings, but a critic of what the movement has become in Turkey. With Gülen having largely withdrawn from day-to-day decision making, the movement is already showing signs of strain, especially in Turkey, he said.

A group of "elders" within the movement is guiding it, he said. Under their watch, the movement’s image as an apolitical force has been compromised in Turkey, Yavuz stated, adding that the movement is now widely seen as working in tandem with the Islamist-BASED Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. "They are part of the political struggle in the country," he said. "They are too close to the AKP. They want power I would say."

But he doubted Gülen himself is fully aware of the shifts that have occurred. "When someone is tightly controlled … you need to raise questions about what type of information that person receives," he said. "I think it is more likely that he receives skewed information, not the entire picture."

As an example of the way the Gülen movement has changed in Turkey, Yavuz pointed to Samanyolu TV, a Gülen-affiliated media outlet. He said the tenor of the channel’s news coverage had grown “accusatory” of late, adding that he doubted Gülen would be supportive of the trend.

The movement's actions in Turkey are a sign of what will come once Gülen is gone, Yavuz predicted. “Unfortunately, the movement could not distance itself from political parties," he said. "It is not what it used to be."

Editor's note: 

 Justin Vela is a freelance reporter based in Istanbul.

SOURCE:  http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66814