Gülen: Islam Suits Modernism

On trial in Ankara State Security Court (DGM) No. 2, Fethullah Gülen, a prominent Turkish Islamic scholar, has presented a 56-page defense to the court and answered all the allegations against himself in detail. Making an explanation of his books, services and activities on the idea of tolerance, dialogue and scientific reconciliation, Gülen said in his defense that all his social activities were in line with the laws. Stressing that certain circles, who are against national and spiritual values, had begun a campaign of slander against him, Gülen said that their claims were determined as inaccurate.

Gülen pointed out that the claims did not rely on true sources and noted that his words had been distorted by cutting out certain sentences, which led to the loss of true meaning, integrity and content. "Contrary to my real aim, my words have been misinterpreted in order to fit to the presupposition of the allegations," Gülen said.

Noting that he had written 45 scientific art papers to date, Gülen said hundreds of articles written by him had been published in science and literature magazines and added that various interviews, TV programs and symposiums related with him had been made. Gülen stressed that his views and studies published in the magazines and broadcasted on TV, proved that both local and foreign academic circles did not see him in the framework of a terrorist organization, illegal gang or separatist organization.

According to Gülen, his studies and views are handled to prove that Islam may suit modernism and show that he has not been involved in any organization that was against Ataturk's revolutions and regime, which targets the modernizing of Turkey and the integration of Islam with the century. 12.26.2001