A day at CRC follows a simple routine shaped by study and prayer. The five daily congregational Islamic prayers (salat)—Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night)—are led in the masjid by our imams (prayer leaders). Guests are welcome to join any part of the daily schedule.
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast is served in the dining hall every morning.
No lunch is served during the day.
These sessions continue the tradition of Fethullah Gulen’s morning circle, which he led daily for more than twenty-five years. Each gathering is guided and text-based, with the reading serving as a starting point for exploring meaning, reflecting on character and spiritual growth, and engaging in thoughtful discussion.
This hour is dedicated to reading selected passages from Fethullah Gülen’s writings on faith, character, and spiritual growth. The text is read aloud, with brief clarifications offered when needed.
This session offers a guided reading from Emerald Hills of the Heart, a work by Fethullah Gülen that explores the classical concepts of Sufism—Islam’s dimension of inner purification, character refinement, and spiritual awareness. The focus is on themes related to the heart and spiritual life, inviting participants to reflect on how these virtues shape one’s inner world and outward conduct.
This session focuses on readings from the classical hadith tradition—early records that preserve the words, teachings, and lived example of the Prophet Muhammad (PbuH). These texts, collected by scholars in the first centuries of Islam, help Muslims understand how ethical and spiritual principles were practiced in daily life.
Each week, participants read selected narrations from well-known collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari or Sunan Abu Dawud. The format is designed to be both accessible and reflective, bringing together:
The study typically follows three steps:
Reading the hadith texts as they appear in the primary sources—sometimes a single narration, sometimes a thematic group or short chapter
Exploring concise biographical portraits of narrators mentioned in the isnad, highlighting historical context and personal qualities that help illuminate the transmission of the hadith
Drawing practical and ethical insights with the support of classical commentaries, allowing space for thoughtful reflection and questions
The session is led collaboratively by a small team of scholars in Islamic theology and hadith studies. Their role is not to lecture, but to guide participants through the material, provide historical context, and facilitate reflective conversation.
This weekly session focuses on a close, guided reading of selected Qur’anic verses.
The format combines careful reading, comparison of classical and contemporary commentaries, and group discussion.
The study typically includes:
Reading the Qur’anic verses together.
Comparing interpretations from classical tafsir works to see how different exegetical approaches understand the passage
Exploring contemporary insights, where appropriate, to connect the themes of the verses with present-day questions and lived experience
Open discussion guided by scholars in Qur’anic studies and theology, who offer clarification and background when needed
The session aims to support reflective engagement with the Qur’an through multiple layers of interpretation.
Each Sunday, an invited speaker delivers a one-hour talk on a topic within their field of expertise. The session includes a full, uninterrupted presentation, followed by time for questions or brief discussion when appropriate.
The afternoon is open for personal study, rest, or quiet exploration of the grounds.
Guests often spend their time reading, walking the trails, or continuing conversations from the morning sessions.
Each evening, about thirty minutes before the sunset prayer, the community gathers in the masjid for a dua (supplication) circle. Participants read assigned sections from al-Qulûbu’d-Dâria, a devotional collection of Qur’anic verses, Prophetic supplications, and prayers from the Islamic tradition. At times, additional Qur’anic passages or recommended prayers are included. The aim is to complete the text collectively over time, with the belief—rooted in the Islamic spiritual heritage—that the sincere prayers of many hearts can open the way for goodness and relief for all people.
Dinner is served after the sunset prayer. Meals include a variety of dishes, including options from Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.
In addition to its daily rhythm of prayer and study, CRC welcomes small groups and visiting communities for periods of reflection, shared learning, and time together.
Throughout the year, individuals and groups from different regions—often connected through educational, service-oriented, or faith-inspired networks—come to CRC to spend focused time together through experience-sharing meetings, and group-based programs.
While groups may organize their own activities, they are also invited to take part in the daily life of the center. Many choose to join communal prayers or study sessions, allowing their time at CRC to unfold within the center’s shared rhythm.
CRC offers a calm and supportive setting for these visits, encouraging focus, connection, and thoughtful engagement—both within each group and with the wider community present at the center.
To learn more about how CRC engages with the wider community through programs and gatherings, explore our activities.