Norwegian massacre showed us one more time that unconditional dialogue between different cultures is indispensible for our future. There will never be a true homogeneity in the minds, cultures, thoughts, faiths of people; we will always be able to find that “other” one in one way or another. History proved that we can never do away with an ideology or an entire culture by destroying its literature or killing its people; what’s left is to have meaningful dialogue without preconditions. As Mr. Fethullah Gulen put it “we need to accept everyone in their own positions” and have a dialogue not to convert or persuade but to get acquainted. Kerim Balci is comparing Fethullah Gulen’s dialogue ideas with the products of Oslo bomber’s sick mind.

Who can describe the work of dialogue organizations inspired by Fethullah Gulen then themselves? Institutions that try to bridge the cultural gaps and resolve conflicts from 66 countries gathered in Istanbul for a brainstorming meeting last week. This meeting should serve as a great manifestation of the Gulen  Movement’s contributions to world peace building efforts. Embodiment of Gulen’s peace-seeking teachings, interfaith and intercultural dialogue organizations have discussed the issues plaguing our old world and the ways in which we can heal the wounds resulting from them.

Turkey’s political and strategic importance as a regional power is increasing by the day. One very important aspect of this new found role is to bridge the cultural gap between the east and the west. This gap has caused misunderstandings, misrepresentations, conflicts and even wars in the region. It is obvious that no enterprise can succeed in the Middle East without addressing cultural differences. The Gulen Movement’s dialogue initiative aimed at bringing people with various backgrounds together to “talk without pre judgments or convictions.” This dialogue does not mean convincing, changing or converting. Fethullah Gulen asked people to come to table with their own identities and ideas, only to share them with others.

The international Turkish Olympiad is the most important manifestation of the education endeavor the Gulen Movement has undertaken globally. The movement and Gulen himself has a great confidence in human beings regardless of their conditions, faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. The education movement started as a result of this confidence and faith in the potential of success that lies within each of us.

Students from around the world who participated in the song final of the 9th International Turkish Olympiads on Tuesday fascinated the audience with their skillful usage of the Turkish language. A Tajik student came first in the competition.

The song final of the Turkish Olympiads was held at the Halic Convention Center in İstanbul on Tuesday night. The event was attended by thousands of people, including prominent figures such as Turkey's chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagış and celebrity figures from the media, arts and politics.

Turkey’s problems with it Kurdish population have been around since the 1940s. Despite the fact there is a broad-based consensus among the countries different factions for the need, a solution for these problems could not be found, or implemented. Over the decades the problem turned into an armed conflict orchestrated by separatists and 30 thousand lives have been lost to the heinous attacks. The Gulen Movement’s supporters brought about a different approach that was inclusive and social based. Kurds in Turkey had lost their hope that the state could embrace them and put an end to decades of negligence. The movement’s supporters founded the first private Kurdish language tv station once they were allowed; there is a tremendous interest from the country’s Kurds that shows how the Gulen Movement can act as the cement of the Turkish society.

By Ali Aslan

Today’s Zaman Columnist Ali Aslan drew attention to how the critics of the Gulen Movement’s actions amount to be a “Hizmetophobia.” He shares his insights as to the need for constructive criticism toward the movement, however, Mr. Aslan warns against a wide-spread witch hunt that can turn our century into a new “nazi” era. Human endeavor, by its nature, is imperfect and people can make mistakes; but most of the criticism towards the Gulen Movement stems from bigotry and baseless claims, thus lacking the necessary credibility.

One of the Gulen Movement’s many contributions to world cultural atlas is a magazine called Hira. Hira is published in Arabic to discuss scientific and religious issues of our time. When talking about religion, Hira uses the tolerant discourse of Turkish tradition. Hira also tries to establish an understanding of the relationship between creation and science, how religion does not clash with science and one is not the opposite (or the alternative) of the other. Hira’s main audience is the Arab world, but social scientists and theologians in other countries expressed interest in the magazine.