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

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Emre Celik

President

Rumi Forum