The role of social movements and civic engagement in social reform and betterment of democracy cannot be denied. The Gulen Movement has played a crucial role in helping Turkish citizens embrace democratic values. The movements success in enlightening the people of Turkey also proved that Islam (or any other religion for that matter) can juxtapose with democracy without having to compromise. Tarek Ezzat also brings forward an important point: the example Turkey might set for the rest of the Muslim world with its strong democracy achieved through its citizens’ civic initiatives.

Prof. John L Esposito continues his efforts to enlighten the academia on the importance of interfaith and intercultural dialogue work. He recently co-edited a book on the Gulen movement and its contribution to this vital area of work. The following is the text of an interview Dr. Esposito gave to Turkish Review.

Stanley Ridge shares his views on a new book about the Gulen Movement and its contributions to interfaith dialogue around the world. Ridge articulates the way this book is laid out and what the writers and editors have intended to convey with it.

Fethullah Gulen was the first Muslim Scholar and opinion leader to discredit the heinous 9/11 attacks as Non-Islamic. In his mind a person cannot be a Muslim and a terrorist at the same time. Despite the efforts from many Islamophobes to juxtapose the words Islam and terror to create a permanent negative image of the faith and its adherents, wisdom of scholars like Mr. Gulen is what keeps the hopes for a peaceful world. Fethullah Gulen published the below message after the terrorist attack on a busy Russian airport to express his condolences.

Bishop Chane spoke recently on the importance of interfaith and intercultural dialogue at a luncheon hosted by the Rumi Forum, a Washington DC based nonprofit organization with the mission of fostering intercultural dialogue.

By each passing day the work and aspirations of Fethullah Gulen are understood and recognized by more and more people. Last Tuesday, the Senate of Texas passed a resolution to commend Mr Fethullah Gulen for his invaluable contributions to the promotion of global peace and understanding.

Lucky Severson, a correspondent for PBS’ Religion & Ethics Newsweekly program, covered the Gulen Movement and Fethullah Gulen for his program’s latest episode. He interviewed people from the Movement’s institutions in the US as well as academicians who studied Mr. Gulen and the Gulen Movement such as Dr. Hellen Ebaugh and Dr. William Martin. Severson also addresses some rumors around the Gulen Movement and charter schools. Below transcript is the courtesy of PBS.

Muhammet Cetin is the author of a book titled The Gulen Movement: Civic Service without Borders. In his column at the daily Today’s Zaman, Cetin reflects on what civic engagement means and how it can be utilized to better our communities or to reach a sustainable state of peace.