Written by Thomas Michel, S.J. Friday, 26 March 2010
The topic that I want to address today is the movement associated with the name of the modern Muslim scholar, Fethullah Gülen. I suspect that as recently as 10-15 years ago, most of us had never heard the name of Mr. Gülen nor of the predominantly group of young Muslims who make up that community. Yet today, the community has over 600 schools,so called "Gulen Schools", including six universities, and operates in over 100 countries. In addition to their schools, they are the main inspiration behind dialogue institutes such as the Rumi Forum, a dialogue institute which has over 40 counterparts in the United States alone, as well as other throughout Western and Easter Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. For example, in Rome, where I was living until recently, there is the Istituto Tevere, that is, the “Tiber Institute,” which has very similar programs to those you will find here at the Rumi Forum. The community inherited its commitment to interreligious dialogue and cooperation from the writings of Said Nursi, but this commitment has been renewed and given new impetus in the writings of Fethullah Gülen. In his speech in 1999 at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Capetown, Gülen presented an optimistic vision of interreligious harmony: “It is my conviction that in the future years, the new millennium will witness unprecedented religious blooming and the followers of world religions, such as Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and others, will walk hand-in-hand to build a promised bright future of the world.”
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International Conference: The Gulen Movement: Paradigms, Projects, and Aspirations.
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.
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.”
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.
Honorary President
Fethullah Gulen is regarded as the founder and inspirer of the global social movement known as the Hizmet (Service) Movement, more popularly known as the Gulen Movement.
For More Information on:
Fethullah Gulen
The Gulen Movement
Gulen Inspired Schools
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