Gülen Movement Contributes to World Peace

Jill Carroll, the author of the bestseller "A dialogue of civilization: Gülen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse," and associate adjunct professor of religious studies at Texas Rice University, says Fethullah Gülen's teachings are not like any ordinary teaching on Islam.

"The first time I read Gülen's work I knew he was a unique scholar," Carroll said and added that Gülen's thoughts were an important contribution to education, inter-religious dialogue and compassion. Noting that the world is in dire need of peace and serenity, Carroll explained the ways Gülen has endeavored to foster world peace and happiness.

During a book signing at the Turkish Cultural Center in New York, Carroll said her Turkish students had invited her to Turkey in December 2005 and that was the first time she visited the country. Although Carroll has been lecturing on Islam along with many other religions for the past 15 years, she had never heard Gülen's name until a few years ago.

After learning about the esteemed scholar from her students, Carroll decided to learn more about Gülen and his thoughts. She grew more interested in Gülen as she read about his life, his philosophy and his works around the world. During this process she realized that her knowledge of Islam was incomplete. "I realized I did not know anything about this religion. What I knew was ordinary. With Gülen I began to learn a lot," said Carroll.

The talented author has traveled to many countries and has taught classes on the Koran, the Bible, the Torah and other religious texts. But her trip to Turkey was marked by surprises. "During my travels in Turkey I was astonished by the Gülen schools. I could not believe such a philosophy, such a sacrifice existed. I visited many people and families who support the Gülen schools. I asked them why they were committed to the Gülen philosophy. Almost all of them gave the same response. I saw love, passion and kindness in their hearts. Once I began to read Gülen's words, I immediately realized he was talking about love, sacrifice and submission. Just this was enough to tell me that Gülen's thoughts were not ordinary. It has been many years since Western civilization and philosophy forgot the words love and submission," Carroll said.

She also explained that she saw traces of the peaceful message of Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, Jean Paul Sartre and Confucius in Gülen's philosophy. This philosophy aims to unite different people from around the world by building bridges between worlds and cultures and teaching love, responsibility and other values to people of all nations and colors. This is the greatest service for global peace, Carroll said.

Noting that most religions in the world have similar basic teachings, Carroll said that when one examines these teachings in depth, one realizes that each religion is different and unique. Each religion describes the creator differently and each has different ways of praying. People are different like religions. Only dialogue can provide peace among differences.

In her book Carroll describes the importance of humans, freedom, ideal human characters, education and responsibility and defends that Gülen's thought are based on these values. Kant, Mill, Sartre and other western philosophers all contemplated these five values and these values are also prevalent in all of Gülen's dialogue efforts; peace everywhere might not be possible, but it can be expanded.

Carroll said she was very happy to have been introduced to Gülen and added that the strongest weapon to combat the clash of civilizations thesis was dialogue. (Sezai Kalayci, New York)