Gulen Optimism Towards Peacebuilding in Pluralist Dialogue: The Cognitive Justice Prism

Abstract

Esposito and Yilmaz stated in their 2010 paper that: ‘The Movement’s stance toward pluralism, diversity, tolerance, acceptance, civil society, secularism and democracy shows that the Movement generates a bridging social capital, extremely helpful for peacebuilding and establishing sustainable peace.’ This assertion profoundly resonates with the challenges confronting pluralistic dialogue in ethnically and religiously pluralist, conflict ridden societies, especially countries experiencing violent conflict involving Muslims and non-Muslims. ‘Gulen Optimism’ in the context of pluralist dialogue, resonates significantly with the concept of ‘Cognitive Justice’ which promotes ‘Intercultural Translation’ in the Cognitive Justice Peacebuilding theoretical framework. The concept which ‘recognizes the right of different forms of knowledge to coexist’ also postulates ‘an active recognition of the need for diversity’. This comparative paper postulates that while the two approaches have some differences in conceptual outlook and approach, both Hizmet’s ‘Gulen Optimism’ and ‘Cognitive Justice Peacebuilding’ share similarities in their disposition towards plurality in contemporary peacebuilding, including their conceptual approaches to peacebuilding which go beyond what the UN peacebuilding framework can afford in the conceptual confines of the Peacebuilding Commission. It suggests that the Hizmet Movement could have significant global impact in peacebuilding, if it and kindred spirits could secure higher stakes in the contest for the soul of Islam.