Fethullah Gulen Tolerance, Dialogue and Peace
Fethullah Gulen’s ideas on education become a way of life as a result of his long pursued set of ideals woven into his life. Gulen thinks that human is at the center of all problems that we have been encountering in this world, therefore, the way to solving the problems of people pass through educating the human being. He proposes that if we can have a better analysis of human, and better identification of his nature, then we can channel his behaviors to improve the conditions and overcome these problems that we face today. According to Gulen, education is the key to the solution. For him, establishing an order and a harmony in one’s personal and social life and, even to prepare for a better life beyond the grave, will only and only be possible through education. Therefore, educations services are the holy task and most auspicious services in the effort of educating and cultivating the nations. (Hulusi Turgut, “Fethullah Gulen and Schools,” New Century, 1/15/1998)
HUMAN AND KNOWLEDGE
When it comes to the issue of education, it will be useful to discuss human as the main ingredient of Gulen’s educational philosophy, and science as a result of his purposeful education. Gulen points out that human sent to this world was created with high potentials that, while if channeled properly, human can surpass the angels, or yet if not they may fall off the ladder of mankind and end up being friends with Satan. Human is the only creature superior to all other beings that was given the authority to intervene in the universe and change it to give it to a new form. For this reason, Gulen believes that the processing of human being as the high potential raw material is a debt to humanity. Because, while well trained, ideal generations will be an asset and gain for mankind, yet improperly processed generation will be a huge loss and a nightmare for the world.
Gulen is a intellectual who truly believes the philosophy of Anatolian sufis Yunus reflected as in Yunus’ language, “ we love all creatures due to the creator”. Because of his unconditional love of humanity, we see Gulen deeply touched with the ravaged Afghani people at war, we see him crying behind the innocent civilians killed in Bosnia, we see him praying for days for the difficulties in Iraq, and we see him bending down onto knees with the Tsunami in Indonesia. As he thinks of the children under the bomb threat in Israel, in a similar token, as he observes the mobilization of tanks into Palestine over the innocent civilian, we see him hospitalized due to heart attack. In fact, he is a man with a of lofty heart who engages with all troubles of mankind. Not just sharing the hassle , but also finding cure for their ailments. Helping suffering people smile has become the purpose of his life. He considers this as his sole mission; the mission of grabbing the hands of needy people, helping crying people ease their pain, caressing the head of orphans, being next to the victims. For him, this is a big opportunity to earn the blessing and satisfaction of the Supreme Creator. (Fountain-1 sermon, London, 1989)
He says that the mind is the most important factor that makes a man as human. The mind, however, he believes, is given to human in a simple and closed form for further processing and enlightenment. The mind, by being integrated with human conscience, should attain a new nature, lest, it serves to its fundamental duty which is to attain “Marifetullah”, the knowledge of God. The attainment of this statue will be one of the important factor to help human reach perfection and maturity, and thus it helps to keep human stay distant from his animal behavior, and invites committing good deeds. Otherwise, the mind will be a useless load for man, and a trouble in his heart, and it will eventually become an instrument to lower the statue of man below animals. (Gulen, Age and Generation, p. 49-53, Nile Publications, Izmir, 2009)
Mind, through a good education, will be saved from becoming a sharp knife to hurt human, and will become a tool serving the entire humanity. Of course, this change would only be possible through shaping minds with the faith. Yes, knowledge, an important step for faith, an essential touchstone separating guidance and heresy, is a divine mystery. KZT (Science)
Gulen considers education as the essential ingredient for the future of each society. After all, it is the society through which some moral and social values manifest themselves. For the social harmony, it is very essential to teach these values to general public in that society. He explained this fact in one of his article by stating that, ” Whatever role the marriage and reproduction plays for the continuity of generations, education plays similar role for the continuity of their moral and social life.” (Sizinti, October, November, December 1979).
EDUCATION
Fethullah Gulen states that unlike other creatures, human is sent to world with a clear need for education as the most essential needs of his life. For example, while it takes two to seven days for an animal to learn how to walk and perform vital functionalities, it will take a human almost one year to learn walking, and almost two years to learn talking, and approximately 20 years to learn what is really good and bad for him, even the latter is a lifelong process continuing until death. (Sizinti, May 1981, pp: 9)
Gulen, as it is also supported by the modern scholars, emphasizes the importance of early childhood education received in family especially for 0-6 age group. According to him, these are the critical ages through which proper education should be given to new generation, lest, they learn the concept of “halal (permitted)” and “haram (forbidden)”, learn honesty, and understand the future responsibility of establishing a family where moral and social values are cherished. Gulen finds parenthood as an important mechanism for the moral welfare of children, and he urges future parents to prepare themselves before getting pregnant, and exercise extreme caution to stay within the frame work of halal life during the maternity period. In consistent with the findings of the modern pedagogues, he claims that the unborn child not only will get affect from the psychology of mother but also from sounds in the environment, therefore he urges potential parents to use nice words to each other in their daily discourse. He believes that baby’s character will be affected negatively from the use of vulgar profanity.
Fethullah Gulen mentions the necessities of establishing positive direction in education which will be further fostered by family, by clean street, by proper publications that appeal to conscience of the public and supportive of universal human values with a certain degree of control exercised by the state. He continues to say that whenever family, school and community work together to equip new generation with uplifting values, and nourish their soul against social erosions, and strengthen their hearts, then can only we consider ourselves to have accomplished enough to give us much hope for the future.
Gülen believes in the importance of education within the family. For this reason, establishment of families with strong values, rules, orders, and discipline is very important. The love, compassion, and peace in the family life that kids experience during the times of initial development of their feelings, has direct positive impact on the character and physical health of the children. Today’s statistics propose that people who commit crime largely either has a family problem or come from problematic family. According to him, a good family and orderly family life is essential not only for a healthy upbringing of a generation but also for a healthy continuation of social structure. No matter how big school and how much it can give to children, it will not be as permanent as those values given by the family.
In shaping our lives in our daily discourse, Gulen highlights the importance of the first message “ read” which was brought to all mankind by the prophet Mohammad (sav). Gulen, puts great emphasis on reading in his personal life. Despite his sickness, and his busy daily schedule, he has a habit of reading couple of hundred pages every day. Teaching others with what you know is also an important advice of the prophet Mohammad (sav). Therefore, despite his high age, he has been showing great effort in reading and teaching students. With this pursuit, he aims to show all mankind that demand on education should start on cradle continue until grave. He tries to prove that reading, learning and education are among the most important features that make a man as human.
