Fethullah Gulen is a famous Islamic public figure. He was previously an imam and preacher in Turkey, founded an influential social movement called Hizmet, and is the honorary president of the Writers and Journalists Foundation. Currently in the United States in voluntary exile. When arriving in Europe, usually stops at Monte Carlo or Monaco. In 2008, he was recognized as the most influential intellectual on planet Earth, according to a survey conducted by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines. Since 2009, regularly included in the lists of the most influential Muslims in the world. In his sermons, he focuses on the ethical education of the younger generation, became one of those who launched the dialogue process in Turkey, which he then managed to continue on an international scale, is an ardent supporter of the multi-party political system in the country. He is often called one of the most important Muslims in the modern world.
Origin
Fethullah Gulen was born near the Turkish city of Erzurum in 1941. He was born in the small village of Korujuk. His father was an imam, his name was Ramiz. Interestingly, there is much debate about the nationality and biography of Fethullah Gulen. It was always believed that he was of Turkish origin, but lately there have been serious doubts about this.
Several years ago, data was published according to which Fethullah Gulen is an Armenian. Turkish law enforcement authorities then noted that they had long doubted the Turkish origin of the preacher. One of the evidence that he is Armenian is considered the birthplace of the grandfathers of the hero of our article. They arrived in Erzurum from Khlat, in which Armenians traditionally lived. This is a village near Lake Van. According to some reports, Gulen's grandfather left Khlat, settling in Erzurum due to some events that were associated with the honor of his family.
However, who in the nation Fethullah Gulen actually remains unknown.
Early career
He received his primary education in his native village. When the family moved to Erzurum, he decided to focus on getting a classical Islamic education.
Fethullah Gulen began to work as a preacher and imam. He remained in this status until 1981, when he officially retired. At the turn of the 80-90s, the hero of our article performs sermons in the most popular mosques in Turkey with a large crowd of people. In 1994, he participated in the formation of democratic institutions in the country, in particular, the Writers and Journalists Fund, in which he was elected honorary president.
Voluntary exile
In 1999, Fethullah Gulen left for treatment in the United States, since then he has not returned to Turkey, remaining in voluntary exile. Soon after, a criminal case was opened against him in his homeland, which was closed only in 2008 due to the lack of corpus delicti.
In America, he underwent heart surgery, was also hospitalized several times due to diabetes and other diseases.
Fethullah Gulen himself, whose photo you will find in this article, repeatedly emphasized that he would like to return to Turkey, but he fears the unstable situation in the country, as well as persecution and provocation due to his political views. Now the preacher is already 77 years old.
Theological Views
In his many books, Fethullah Gulen does not offer any fundamentally new theology, making a reference to classical authorities, using their conclusions and a system of evidence, developing them if necessary. He has a generally accepted and conservative perception of Islam. Gülen respects the Sufi tradition, even though he himself was never in any tariqa.
Gülen teaches Muslims that it is not necessary to enter into any Sufi order, but it is important to maintain an internal religious feeling, which should not contradict the actions that a person performs in his life.
The main differences between Gulen’s teachings are that he deduces from the interpretation of certain verses of the Qur'an. He teaches that Muslims should serve the common good of the nation and their community, as well as all Muslims and non-Muslims in the world. The Hizmet social movement founded by him is an international organization that promotes his ideas. The doctrine of serving people over the years has attracted an increasing number of supporters, not only in Turkey, but also in Central Asia and other countries of the world.
Gulen's second postulate is interfaith dialogue.
Schools
In his sermons, Fethullah Gulen, whose biography is given in this article, often emphasizes that the study of the exact sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry) is an actual worship of God. Gulen schools operate in Turkey, which are considered one of the best in terms of the quality of education provided. In them, expensive equipment, equal treatment of boys and girls, from the first grade of children learn English.
Critical reviews of these schools indicate that women teachers are not delegated the administrative powers that men have. Starting from the sixth grade, students separate from the males go to the dining room and are during a break.
Intercultural dialogue
Gülen often emphasizes that benevolence towards other nations and a commitment to dialogue are at the core of Turkish culture. The same tradition originates in Islam. In his opinion, Muslims have always adopted the best achievements of civilizations and cultures that they have encountered throughout their history.
Gulen himself often meets with representatives of other faiths. In particular, with the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Pope John Paul II, Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron.
Since the late 2000s, the Gulen Hizmet Public Organization has begun dialogue with non-religious leaders around the world.
In his teaching, the hero of our article advocates cooperation between various Islamic movements.
The ban in Russia
Moreover, in many countries the attitude towards Gulen is ambiguous. For example, in Russia some of his books are banned.
By the decision of the Orenburg city district court, his works were included in the Federal List of Extremist Materials such as “Criteria, or Lights on the Way”, “Doubts Caused by the Century”, “Life and Islamic Faith”, “Prophet Muhammad - the Crown of the Human Race”.
Attitude to the problems of the modern world
Gulen often speaks out on the problems that the modern world is facing today. Thus, he criticizes Laicism for withdrawing into the philosophy of reductive materialism. At the same time, he emphasizes that he considers democracy and forces compatible.
Gulen speaks positively of Turkey’s plans to join the European Union, believing that both parties will ultimately benefit from this.
He is extremely negative towards terrorists, saying that they will still be held accountable, albeit in the next world where they will be responsible for the killings and suffering of innocent people.
Relations with Erdogan
Gülen is currently considering options to return to Turkey, as his relationship with the current head of state can be described as tense.
Fethullah Gulen and Erdogan are opponents. The situation escalated at the end of 2013, when the Turkish president accused the preacher of organizing a coup attempt in the country. This was preceded by a major corruption scandal in the country, which hit hard on the authority of the authorities.
In December 2014, an Istanbul court decided to issue a warrant for Gulen’s arrest. The prosecutor's office sent a petition to the Ministry of Justice to begin preparing documents for the inclusion of the preacher in the so-called Red Bulletin of Interpol. This is the name of the list of internationally wanted criminals whose arrest has been agreed with Interpol. However, an international law enforcement organization refused to sanction the arrest of Gulen by the Turkish authorities.
America, where he is now, is also not going to give Turkey Gulen.
