Dissertation Published in Germany on Fethullah Gülen and his Educational Activities
Bonn University faculty member Dr. Bekim Agai's dissertation on the educational activities of Fethullah Gülen has been published as a book.
"Between Discourse and Networks" (Zwischen Netzwerk und Diskurs) is subtitled: "The Educational Activities of Fethullah Gülen: The Reflection of Modern Islamic Thought on Changing Lifestyles." Speaking about his book analyzing Gülen's ideas and his educational activities in Turkey, Albania and Germany in its various aspects, author Dr. Agai said: "I was interested in Gülen's ideas and what they meant for different people."
Agai notes that although there has been lots of discussion of his educational activities, there has been little research into which factors have brought about his success in the education sector. "A part of this success undoubtedly comes from the ideas of Gülen himself, but no one would be aware of them without the people working to realize these ideas." Dr. Agai says that his book is the product of four years of research. Pointing out the absence of scientific analysis of Gülen's articles and works yet even in Turkey, Dr. Agai went on to say: " People who support or reject his ideas have tried to explain to me the "real" Fethullah Gülen, but for me the 'real' Gülen appears only in practice. That's why I studied those who were putting his ideas into practice and their ideals and dreams." Agai indicates that the achievements of this educational movement depend on the individuals working in the educational institutions, and that these people identify something of themselves in Gülen's ideas. Dr. Agai adds that it is wrong to label the movement as a religious one and says, "Maybe for many people these activities also have a religious dimension, but we've seen various individuals participating in educational activities for distinct reasons. These vary from region to region, from person to person. Perceiving this movement as a single unit is an unfair attitude towards the motives driving the people who have contributed to this achievement." (Mehmet Mert)
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