Gülen (Hizmet) Movement as a Bulwark against Terrorism and Extremism

Abstract

Terrorism is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Its day-by-day patterns are changing based ongeography, methods of attacks, organization and national contexts. Especially following al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks, Islam hasbecome a feared religion in the West and Muslims a suspect people. At the same time, Fethullah Gulen, an adherent ofSufi Islam, an advocate of non-violence, and an authoritative, mainstream Turkish scholar who has for decades denouncedextremism in the false name of Islam, condemned the attack and declared Bin Laden the monster that he is, a radical whotarnished the name of Islam, which strictly forbids terrorism. Gulen has inspired the Hizmet (Service) Movement, which isrecognized in more than 170 countries through its educational institutions, dialog and culture centers, aid foundations andinterfaith organizations. This study examines how the fundamentals of Gulen’s world of thought in his books—translatedinto more than 40 languages—and the Hizmet Movement he inspired acts as a moderating force in the West’sunderstanding of Islam and as an Islamic bulwark against terrorism.