Gülen's Ideas Discussed at Rice University Symposium

The Turkey-based global non governmental civil movement under the name of the prominent Turkish scholar, Fethullah Gülen, was the topic of discussions during a two-day international symposium at Rice University, Texas, US.

A symposium titled "Islam in the Contemporary World: Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice" organized by The Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance at Rice University, the A. D. Bruce Religion Center University of Houston and the Institute of Interfaith Dialog is being attended by many scholars around the world, from the United States and from Turkey in particular. Mr. Gülen sending a congratulatory message to the gathering said he takes his inclusion in this movement as a bona fide gesture and friendly reception; everyone should reach out to each other to constitute "peace isles" for the future and for the construction of a happy world.

Dale Eickelman from Dartmouth College chaired the opening session on "Dialogue and Gülen Movement" on Saturday.

Pim Valkenber from Radbourg University in the Netherlands presented a paper about Mr. Gülen's contributions to the Muslim-Christian dialogue in the context of Abrahamic collaboration. From the Millsaps College, Loye Ashton focused on the topic "to defend religious equality and tolerance in today's America: Lessons from Fethullah Gülen" in the paper the scholar presented. From Central Oklahoma University, Darian De Bolt presented a paper on "Dialogue: Greek Fundamentals and Fethullah Gülen's Thought and Jürgen Habermas". In a joint paper with Madeline Maxwell from University of Texas, Dr. Yetkin Yildirim talked about tolerance and dialogue in Mr. Gülen's writings.

During the second session, education was given emphasis and Bekim Agai from Bonn University, Germany talked about the organizational strategies of the Gülen Movement. "Education Philosophy of Fethullah Gülen" was the subject of scholar Ruth Woodhall's speech. From the University of Notre Dame Asma Afsaruddin compared classical approaches in the philosophy of education in Islam and the approach of Mr. Gülen.

The third session focused on "Public Domain and Globalization". Serif Ali Tekalan from Istanbul Fatih University presented a paper, "The Movement of Hearts". The IID President, Mohammed Cetin, described public and social attitudes against the Gülen Movement in Turkey. Anthropologist Maria Curtis concentrated on the "Woman Face of the Medallion" and the movement. Paul Weller of Derby University in the UK compared Mr. Gülen to Arnold Toynbee.

Let's join hands to build "peace isles"

Mr. Gülen in his congratulatory message thanked the organizations for participating in the symposium and wished success for the speakers. Clarifying that he is not after the claim of being a great contributor to the movement of volunteers working for peace in the world, Mr. Gülen expanded his appreciation for being included as a bona fide gesture and friendly reception in the movement. The renowned scholar expressed his hope for the formation of "peace isles" for a happy world and future and the spread of this movement with the assistance of scholars like those that participated in this particular symposium. He also asserted his hope to reach a horizon of reconciliation among civilizations and alliance of cultures.

Reportedly, the papers presented at the symposium will be published in a book. (By Ali H. Aslan, Houston)