Fethullah Gülen (1941-2024): A Global Advocate for Peace and Education

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Fethullah Gülen (1941-2024): A Global Advocate for Peace and Education

Fethullah Gülen was a prominent Turkish Muslim scholar, author, poet, opinion leader, education advocate, and a guiding force for global peace and social harmony. Renowned for founding the Hizmet Movement (also known as the Service Movement), Gülen inspired a worldwide network dedicated to education, dialogue, social justice, and the advancement of intercultural understanding.

The Hizmet Movement, which he championed, thrives on the principles of secular education with a humanistic approach. Teachers within this movement strive to embody values that transcend borders, resonating deeply with people from diverse backgrounds. The movement comprises individuals from all walks of life—students, academics, businesspeople, public officials, professionals, and more—who volunteer in Hizmet institutions like schools, tutoring centers, hospitals, publishing houses, and humanitarian organizations across Turkey and in over 160 countries worldwide.

A prolific author, Gülen wrote more than 90 books in Turkish, many of which have been translated into over thirty languages. In recognition of his influence, Foreign Policy magazine honored him as the “World’s Top Public Intellectual” in 2008.

Fethullah Gülen’s legacy is marked by his strong advocacy for human rights, democracy, science, spirituality, and intercultural and interfaith dialogue. He openly opposed violence and divisive ideologies, choosing instead to nurture a world where empathy, mutual respect, and collaboration prevail.

Gülen’s philosophy blends intellectual rigor with compassion, emphasizing values like empathy, community service, and a holistic understanding of humanity. His teachings encourage “serving humanity to serve God” and “living to let others live”—principles similar to those of the 13th-century poet Rumi, whom Gülen admired.

Beginning his career as a preacher and education activist, Gülen inspired hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Despite the vast following and admiration, he humbly considered himself a fellow volunteer within this civil society movement and actively distanced himself from any claims of leadership.

Known for his empathy and respect for all of creation, Gülen consistently promoted “living to let others live” as a guiding principle, touching lives in every corner of the world.

Early Life

Born in 1941 in the historically rich city of Erzurum, Turkey, Fethullah Gülen grew up in a humble yet spiritually vibrant environment. His family’s values fostered a deep reverence for learning, faith, and community service from an early age. Gülen pursued education through both traditional Islamic and modern institutions, where he studied the Islamic sciences and earned his teaching certification, a foundation that would influence his life’s work.

Guided by the teachings of local Sufi masters, Gülen was introduced to Islamic spirituality and humanism. He also explored the writings of Said Nursi, a prominent Islamic scholar who encouraged Muslims to embrace the positive aspects of modernity and find inspiration in sacred texts to engage with the modern world thoughtfully and ethically.

Gülen’s parents played a crucial role in shaping his early education and worldview. His father, an imam, had a deep love for classical literature, poetry, and reflections on the early Islamic period, which he passed on to his son. Gülen’s mother, a Qur’an instructor, was known for her unwavering spirituality and resilience. From her, Gülen learned the art of Qur’anic recitation and completed his memorization of the Qur’an (becoming a hafiz) by the age of twelve. By fourteen, he had begun preaching in local mosques, sharing his reflections on faith and ethics.

Early Career

Gülen’s official career began in 1959, when he passed the Turkish State’s Directorate of Religious Affairs exam and was appointed as a state preacher at a historic mosque in Edirne, a city in European Turkey. His early career was marked by both social activism and personal asceticism, allowing him to deepen his understanding of Islamic tradition, while informally studying social and natural sciences, and engaging with both Eastern and Western philosophy and literature. Among the scholars who profoundly influenced him were Abu Hanifa, Ghazali, Imam Rabbani, Rumi, Yunus Emre, and Said Nursi. This diverse intellectual foundation enabled Gülen to develop his signature approach: a blend of rigorous scholarship, spiritual insight, and compassion.

Throughout his career, Gülen maintained a lifestyle of devout asceticism while building respectful relationships with civic and military authorities. Observing the rise of radical ideologies among Turkish youth, he used his sermons to counter these influences and uphold values of compassion, justice, and tolerance. Noting the erosion of traditional moral values and the increase in social and political tensions, Gülen organized a series of public lectures to address these issues and guide young people toward constructive paths.

In 1963, following his military service, Gülen returned to Erzurum, where he gave a series of influential lectures on Rumi, emphasizing themes of love, wisdom, and social harmony. That same year, he co-founded an anti-communist association where he delivered talks on moral and ethical issues, addressing concerns that resonated deeply with his audience. By 1964, he was assigned to Edirne, where he continued to build connections with both educated youth and the general public. Appointed to Kirklareli in 1965, he organized evening lectures and community talks, focusing solely on moral guidance rather than political discourse.

Recognizing his commitment and success in public service, the Directorate of Religious Affairs promoted Gülen to central preacher and director of a boarding school in Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city on the Aegean coast. This post marked a turning point in his career, allowing him to reach larger audiences and plant the seeds of what would later become the Hizmet Movement.

Nationwide Preacher and Education Activist

In 1966, Fethullah Gülen’s influence expanded significantly when Yasar Tunagur, then-deputy head of Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, appointed him to a key post in Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city and a major educational and cultural hub. Assigned to oversee a mosque, a student study and boarding hall, and to lead preaching in the Aegean region, Gülen embraced a humble lifestyle. For nearly five years, he lived in a small hut near Kestanepazari Hall, receiving no salary. It was during this period that Gülen’s vision for education and community service began to crystallize. By 1969, he had organized local gatherings in coffee houses, lectures across rural provinces, and summer camps for middle and high school students.

In Izmir, Gülen’s reputation as a compelling preacher and social thinker began to grow rapidly. His ability to address broad issues—peace, social justice, and philosophical naturalism—while appealing to both intellectual and spiritual audiences distinguished him. Moving from mosques to theaters and coffee houses, Gülen traveled extensively, urging younger generations to harmonize intellectual exploration with spiritual depth, and to lead altruistic lives grounded in their faith tradition.

Gülen’s well-researched, eloquent, and compassionate messages resonated widely, drawing a diverse audience that included students, academics, and everyday citizens. Recordings of his speeches, which were distributed throughout Turkey, fueled interest in his teachings even in remote villages. By cultivating this “public credit,” as he modestly referred to it, Gülen sought to channel positive intentions and collective energy toward social good.

Gülen’s educational vision eventually expanded into a universal ideal he described as “gathering around high human values.” To this day, he has only ever identified his role as that of an “advisor” or “motivator” for this movement. His initial followers in Izmir were a small group of like-minded individuals, yet they soon grew into a community of diverse backgrounds, including non-Muslims who embraced the movement’s humanistic values, if not its Islamic roots.

The March 12, 1971, military coup presented significant challenges. A number of prominent Muslims associated with youth initiatives, including Kestanepazari Hall, were detained, and Gülen himself was arrested on May 1, 1971, held for six months without formal charges. Authorities explained these arrests as a means of appearing balanced, citing numerous leftist arrests at the time. Gülen was released on the condition that he no longer deliver public lectures.

In response, Gülen redirected his efforts. Though no longer at Kestanepazari Hall, he continued his work as a state-authorized preacher and established additional student boarding halls, supported by local communities who shared his vision for positive action. By the early 1970s, a group of around one hundred people had formed around his ideals of community service and education.

Between 1972 and 1975, Gülen served in various cities throughout the Aegean and Marmara regions, where he continued to promote education and service. Recognizing the scarcity of educational opportunities for Anatolian families, he and his supporters established hostels and scholarships for students from rural areas. This initiative provided young people the chance to pursue a secular education in larger cities while staying grounded in a supportive environment, free from the politically polarized student accommodations of the time.

With the help of grassroots funding from local communities, Gülen’s service-oriented philosophy, known as Hizmet, began to spread steadily. Students returning to their hometowns became emissaries of his teachings, fostering a sense of positive community responsibility. Gülen’s talks, recorded on cassettes since 1966, also played a crucial role, allowing his messages to circulate nationwide.

In 1974, Gülen was instrumental in establishing Turkey’s first university preparatory school in Manisa, making higher education accessible for families of modest means. Following the success of this institution, he was invited to speak across the country, and the ideals of education and social service took root in various cities and regions. The collective dedication to these goals laid the foundation for what became the Hizmet (Service) Movement.

In 1976, Gülen was posted to Bornova, Izmir, home to a major university with a politically active student body. He spoke out against protection rackets targeting local businesses and, at great personal risk, urged affected citizens to report such activities to the authorities. He also invited students from various ideological backgrounds to come to the mosque for open discussions. By addressing their questions on both religious and secular topics, Gülen encouraged a space for peaceful exchange and critical thinking.

In 1977, Gülen traveled to northern Europe, speaking to Turkish communities about the importance of education, values, and integration. By this time, he had become one of Turkey’s most respected preachers. His sermons attracted large audiences, including Turkish leaders who sought his advice on complex social issues.

Recognizing the need to support educational endeavors, Gülen encouraged members of the Hizmet Movement to engage in publishing. His articles and lectures appeared in anthologies, and in 1979, the Teachers’ Foundation, inspired by his ideas, launched Sizinti, a monthly journal that became Turkey’s highest-selling magazine in its category. Covering topics in science, humanities, faith, and literature, it was pioneering for its genre and helped dispel the perceived conflict between science and religion.

In 1980, Gülen’s lectures, attended by thousands, were distributed widely on audio cassettes, marking the first time a Turkish preacher’s talks were available on videotape. Despite an intimidating political atmosphere following the 1980 military coup, Hizmet’s message spread effectively. In 1982, the movement established Yamanlar Koleji, a private high school in Izmir, which set a standard for quality education grounded in ethics.

By 1989, the Directorate of Religious Affairs reinstated Gülen’s preaching license, granting him the authority to speak in any mosque in Turkey. His sermons in Istanbul and Izmir drew unprecedented crowds, with tens of thousands attending. In the early 1990s, threats against his life surfaced as radical factions sought to disrupt his influence. Yet, his emphasis on peace and dialogue prevailed, and the Movement’s values continued to spread.

Start of a New Era

In 1991, Fethullah Gülen chose to step back from large public preaching events, concerned that some individuals might exploit his influence and the growing Hizmet Movement. Despite this, he continued actively working within the community, teaching in smaller gatherings and supporting the Movement’s expanding educational and humanitarian efforts. During this period, Gülen’s focus on promoting universal values, peace, and education gained traction, and the Movement’s reach extended beyond Turkey. By 1992, he had traveled to the United States to meet Turkish scholars, community leaders, and prominent figures within American faith communities. By then, the Hizmet Movement had established over one hundred educational institutions in Turkey alone, with schools and universities beginning to emerge in Central Asia, where Movement participants faced challenging conditions to promote education and goodwill.

In 1994, Gülen made a pivotal contribution to interfaith dialogue in Turkey, a practice that had waned in the early 20th century due to social and political tensions. He co-founded the Journalists and Writers Foundation, where he served as honorary president. The foundation brought together Turkey’s diverse religious leaders—including the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox patriarchs, Turkey’s Chief Rabbi, and representatives of the Vatican. These dialogues culminated in the “Abant Platform,” a series of gatherings named after the location of the inaugural meeting in Bolu, Turkey. This platform brought together intellectuals across the political spectrum—liberals, conservatives, atheists, nationalists, and religious figures—to engage in open discussions about Turkey’s social and political challenges. Through these events, Gülen helped revive a Turkish tradition of dialogue that promoted mutual respect and understanding between religious and secular segments of society.

During this era, Gülen also became a more prominent figure in the media. He granted interviews to address escalating tensions between religious communities and state authorities, which were partly fueled by concerns over secularism. The “February 28, 1997 post-modern military coup” underscored this strain when the National Security Council demanded the resignation of the ruling coalition government, pushing the Turkish state to adopt a set of measures to curtail religious influence in public life. This period saw an increase in public scrutiny of religious movements, including Hizmet. Gülen used this platform to encourage calm and mutual respect, appealing to both state officials and the public to avoid conflict and extremism.

Years in the United States

In 1999, Fethullah Gülen traveled to the United States to receive medical treatment for cardiovascular issues. Following a heart operation in 2004, his doctors advised him to avoid stress, leading him to remain in the U.S. to distance himself from Turkey’s politically charged environment. In 2006, he was granted permanent residency by the U.S. government.

Gülen resided at the Golden Generation Worship and Retreat Center in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, for approximately 25 years. During this period, he dedicated himself to reading, writing, teaching, worship and occasionally receiving visitors, as his health permitted. He typically set aside time daily to engage in conversation and provide guidance on service projects. These sessions were often recorded and shared on his website, www.herkul.org, making his teachings accessible to a global audience. Maintaining an ascetic lifestyle, he spent much of his time in his modest room.

Gülen’s modest lifestyle and commitment to human welfare made a lasting impact. He maintained this way of life until his passing on October 20, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital Monroe Campus in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, due to natural causes. Gülen’s legacy endures in the countless educational, interfaith, and humanitarian projects inspired by his vision, promoting a world driven by empathy, service, and peace. His life’s work continues to inspire people globally to build inclusive, compassionate communities rooted in respect and understanding.

Fethullah Gulen’s Books

With over 90 books in Turkish, Fethullah Gülen has offered profound insights into Islamic spirituality, theology, ethics and interfaith harmony. Many of his works have been translated into various languages. Below is a list of his books available in English, which reflect his dedication to values like compassion, service, and intercultural understanding:

  • 40 Hadiths: Translation and Commentary
  • Broken Plectrum
  • Calling to Good: Islamic Mentoring and Guidance in a Modern World
  • Devoted to the Truth
  • Endeavor for Renewal
  • Essentials of the Islamic Faith
  • From Seed to Cedar
  • Islam and Democracy
  • Islam and Violence
  • Journey to Noble Ideals
  • Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism (Vol. 1)
  • Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism (Vol. 2)
  • Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism (Vol. 3)
  • Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism (Vol. 4)
  • Life After Death
  • M. Fethullah Gulen: Essays-Perspectives-Opinions
  • Muhammad: The Messenger of God
  • Pearls of Wisdom
  • Questions and Answers about Islam (Vol. 1)
  • Questions and Answers about Islam (Vol. 2)
  • Reflections on the Qur’an
  • Religious Education of the Child
  • Selected Prayers of Prophet Muhammad
  • So That Others May Live
  • Speech and Power of Expression
  • The Necessity of Interfaith Dialogue: A Muslim Perspective
  • The Opening
  • The Statue of Our Souls
  • Through Colors
  • Toward a Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance
  • Towards the Lost Paradise