Gülen Says Meeting With Pope Fruitful

Fethullah Gülen, Turkey's widely acclaimed Islamic leader, praised his meeting with Pope John Paul II on Monday in the Vatican, saying it was an important step in a long process to come, the Anatolia news agency said.

Gülen, who spoke in Istanbul on Wednesday following his return from the Vatican, was referring to his attempt to initiate a program of interreligious dialogue among Christianity, Judaism and Islam. He said other religious could also be admitted.

Fethullah Gülen said he regarded his meeting with the Pope as the "first step towards further dialogue." He also said it would be welcome if the Pope decides to come to Turkey. President Suleyman Demirel has invited Pope John Paul II to visit Turkey.

Gülen also told reporters that the 1981 assassination attempt against the pope by Turkish right-wing terrorist Mehmet Ali Agca had not been discussed at the meeting. Agca, who was also given the death sentence for the 1979 murder of a senior editor in Turkey, is currently serving a life sentence in Italy. His lawyers say that they are hopeful that he might receive a pardon from the Italian president soon.

Commenting on the meeting between the Pope and Fethullah Gülen, Theology Professor Mehmet Aydin of the Selcuk University in Konya said the talks were a noteworthy contribution to world peace, particularly to relations between Roman Catholics and Muslims. He also urged the Directorate of Religious Affairs, a branch of the prime ministry, to support these dialogue attempts. 1998-12-02 00:00:00