We Have a Dream
More and more international references are being made to Fethullah Gülen. He was mentioned in "Islam and the West: Annual report on the State of Dialogue," released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos earlier this year.
"Turkish diaspora groups have expanded their programs, which cover both Turkey and central Asian countries, as well. The Turkey-based Fethullah Gülen movement has expanded its network of schools to 100 so far," said the report.
In early March, the influential weekly The Economist provided extended coverage of the Gülen movement. The Economist's articles predicted that the movement would become the leading Muslim network in the world, noting its active involvement as a global power in education and stressing its reasonable, transparent and pro-dialogue attitude.
During the last 10 days, the name of Gülen has been mentioned twice in the international media. The Foreign Policy magazine included Gülen, along with Orhan Pamuk, in its "Top 100 Public Intellectuals" list. The influential US paper The New York Times covered the movement's Turkish schools in Pakistan.
In many countries, universities are establishing "Gülen chairs" and even institutes.
Attempts to associate this historic movement, sincerely supported by Anatolian people, with his name really bothers Mr. Gülen. He frequently reiterates that putting the emphasis on his name is unfair to the millions of altruistic teachers, businessmen, artisans, workers, public servants and intellectuals that support this movement. On the other hand, for the sake of convenience, such movements are known and designated by those who inspired them.
We know that some people are waging defamation campaigns against this movement of volunteers inspired and advised by Mr. Gülen. In every age of history, there were always some people who would object to benevolence, philanthropy and good deeds done for the sake humanity. For instance, can you imagine a member of this nation who criticizes the people who ensure that our flag is waved around the globe? Thanks to the Turkish schools, our national anthem is recited uninterruptedly Monday through Friday around the world. Who, among us, can be disturbed by this fact? You see the Turkish Language Olympics and our language becoming a world language, with children from more than 100 countries singing our songs. Who is not moved by this?
There are two criticisms voiced against this movement and although proper responses were given, some people continue to voice them.
First, they ask, "How are these schools financed?" The answer is that they are financed through contributions made by this nation. If there was a single contribution from a foreign source, the intelligence organizations of the US, Russia, the UK, France, Germany and other countries would know about it. Even our "neo-nationalists" would track it down to its source.
Second, they claim, "Ordinary people cannot undertake such a comprehensive initiative, so they must be supported by some unknown powers, such as the US." This criticism is refuted by Mr. Gülen with these words: "Those people who are unaware of the greatness of God tend to see causes and effects only and suggest that this project is so big that it must be supported by the US or Europe."
This nation no longer cares about these criticisms. We now have a dream. Imagine that some 20 years from now, in the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Turkish ambassador is walking toward the chair, and the ambassadors who graduated from Turkish schools stand up and applaud him joyfully.
Those who are alive then will see this, God willing.
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