Every socio-cultural, revival and peace movements have always had their opponents no matter where in the world they originate. Both within Turkey and beyond, there are people who oppose this movement’s services, projects, and activities. The majority of these opponents are marginalized people who have closed themselves to universal values and beliefs, who are dogmatic and against dialogue as they don’t want to lose their status quo in society. People who don’t fit this description may stand against the movement’s activities as they don’t know much or haven’t had the chance to know the movement personally and are influenced by their predecessor’s aspersions.

One of the false subjective remarks made against the schools opened and operated by volunteers is that they are missionary schools propagating Islam. The reason for this accusation is that in the 19th and 20th centuries, generally speaking, missionary activities were started with the establishment of schools. If this allegation were to be true, meaning the Gülen movement’s schools are missionary by nature, the mere fact is that some of the schools, if not the majority, are operating in countries where there’s less tolerance towards religion and that the local authorities are even scrupulously auditing and monitoring the schools every activity is decisive and sufficient proof that weakens this claim.

Expansion of Gülen Movement Organizations Westwards

Taking the Gülen movement as a case study, this paper demonstrates how an Islamic movement engages with the West strategically and rationally, adopting a non-violent action repertoire, embracing…

Islamist vs. Islamic: Erdogan’s deep-rooted hatred of the Gülen movement

The Gülen movement, as a moderate, liberal Islamic civil society group, has tried to prevent the radical Islamist Erdogan from taking Turkey to a political Islamist hell. However,…

Hizmet: a Language and Culture of Compassion for and Service to Humanity

Fethullah Gülen envisages self-perfection as a means to revitalize compassionate acceptance of others, which is central to true humanism. It empowers spirituality against the carnal self (nafs) instead…