An Analysis of the Tolerance Process

When tolerance and dialogue are mentioned, the Journalists and the Writers Foundation is the first non-governmental organization (NGO) that comes to mind. The Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

The esteemed Fethullah Gülen, who is among the founders, is also the honorary president of the Foundation. Mr.Gülen's trilogy, the "Broken Jug," including his speeches over the last five years has sold up to 700,000 copies so far. This is also an expression of yearning as a result of the interest in Mr. Gülen's evaluations. Let's read the analysis of a decade-long process of tolerance from Mr. Gülen's "Kirik Testi (Broken Jug)":

"The process of tolerance does not mean creating something new, it is a revival of something that already exists. It is not a start from the scratch. It is rather like allowing water to reappear on the surface of deserted wells, it is revealing things that are being denied, things that we alienate, ignore and accept as inexistent, but in fact, things that wholly exist.

"This process is the core, the essence of our past, our belief. It is neither a process that started with us, nor the product of your compassion and mercy. On the contrary, it is the Islam's clemency, Islam's mercy.

"Perhaps this is the reason why people from close or distant circles, fail to understand this, yet insist on not understanding. Perhaps it is the envy, the jealousy that made some approach it with negative considerations because they failed to be the pioneers of this affair, and those people still exist. "Infidelity," is how they described the process.

"Whereas the dream of those who support and follow the process, believing in it from the bottom of their hearts, was a bold step towards our future with confidence, with the integrity of the state and nation, and hand in hand. Their dream was to provide relief to our people, who for ages have been subjected to annihilation after annihilation. It was to raise our country, our nation, and the flag of our state to the flagpole in honor.

"However, people who fail and somehow never admit that they understand this, rejected everything that has done in a planned and organized manner. They attacked at full speed with all their might, with an overwhelming intention. Yet it backfired. They paved the way for new developments and advancements in the direction that they never expected or wanted.

"Indeed, they were powerful and strong. They had every opportunity at hand. Some national and international powers were behind them, but with the benevolence, grace and beneficence of Allah, the steadfastness of the supporters of the movement until this day, has spoiled the trick. Perhaps, a few friends hesitated and stood aloof, but that was all . I think it is natural in such a wide circle that a few people should move in different directions .

"In fact, we needed such a test. It was a test for us to obtain exemption. We needed it for the sake of the possible hardships we may be facing at present or in the future.

"We were stretching our hands to many circles and different worlds and they were responding. Everyone without making any concessions on their beliefs and ideologies could meet on a common ground and endorse various achievements for the sake of the future of this nation. But some people lost their places at certain intervals.

"Meanwhile, there were people filled with jealousy and envy, looking out for an opportunity They contacted some directly. They started committing acts of espionage. Correspondences, communications, secret meetings, these all happened.

"However, it came to pass. Old friends are showing their friendship once again. Newly won friends are also supporting wholeheartedly, and as if nothing had happened, we are going on our own way " (Kirik Testi, Gurbet Ufuklari, page; 72, Journalists' and Writers' Foundation.)

ZAMAN

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