Fethullah Gulen Tolerance, Dialogue and Peace
Recently I read a book with pleasure and devotion named, “Unnecessary Man: Ishak Alaton”, a book about one of the most successful businessman in Turkey, written by Mehmet Gundem. Alaton shares his life’s story, his experience on how to hand over the reins of a business to the trustworthy, and how to follow the business from thenceforth on as an outside observer, and many other valuable concepts. When I was reading the events that affected him such as struggling with difficulties from the political world to social classes, each antidote written drew me more and more into Mr. Alaton’s world. I read the parts that were in respect to Mr. Fethullah Gulen and his movement, which comprised about thirty pages, and found them fascinating. I read each word with deep attention and highlighted each word of that section.
I did so because I studied at schools which were inspired by Fethullah Gulen and I became acquainted with many people who love him while studying at university in Germany. After my graduation, I began to teach at International Ataturk Alatoo University, a school opened by the movement in my hometown of Biskek, Kazakistan. In order to be beneficial for the millions of graduates from movement schools like me and those interested in learning more about these schools, I decided to do research into the pedagogic views of Fethullah Gulen and the usage of those views in education. After three years of research, I defended my doctorate thesis in 2012 for the first time on this topic.
Naturally, I was faced with many curious questions as I conducted my research, especially questions on why Mr. Gulen is no longer living in Turkey, if the movement is cooperating with political intelligence institutions like Mosad and the CIA, and if Gulen wants to attain political power. The more I dealt with these types of questions, the more I noticed that what Gulen has been saying through all his life affirms what he puts into practice. The more I observed this, the more I noticed that these types of questions were asked only by certain groups which were prejudiced against the movement and were asked with underlying intent. I came to the conclusion, as we say in Turkish, “A tree with fruits will always be stoned.”
I assume that anybody who is interested in Turkey or the Turkish business world will know Ishak Alaton. We witnessed that Alaton emphasizes often that he is a Turkish Jew. He is the founder of TESEV, an institution that makes research into Turkey’s social status with great detail. Since he is a person with a different view, a person who was once an ordinary laborer, and now is the owner of a great holding company, I believe that his views on Gulen would be considered very objective by those who value free thought.
Alaton states that he looks at the Gulen movement from the point of view of data. First, he says, “Before moving to the United States, Mr. Gulen destroyed all the taboos and brought all different classes of society together, after a period in which social classes were completely separated, by creating a new platform. In the mid 1990’s, when people were discussing if Islam and democracy go hand in hand, the saying of Gulen, “There is no return from democracy,” showed that Islam and religious people have adopted democracy. Fethullah Gulen’s thought and views deeply affected us all and became a source of inspiration for us. When Gulen decided to walk upon this path, he believed and trusted in humanity, and the people around him. I had my share from his trust as well, and there were many people like me at that time. However, we should never forget that it was Gulen who started it first. That was his major service to the society. No one remembers this, but I do.”
Secondly, Alaton focuses on Gulen’s trustworthiness and says, “I believe that in Gulen’s inner world peace is very essential. I also believe that he is a sincere person, who works hard for humanity’s peace. I have seen many reasons in him to believe so. Religion is such a big power, that you can get a huge war out of it, or a great peace. When you look at the history, you will see the wars of religions. Gulen knows this, and uses all his strength for peace. He wants peace, not only for Turkey, but for the whole world. He knows that the world is globalized. Fights between political enemies will weaken the social peace, and because of that he calls upon democracy. He attempts to bring people of various backgrounds together. He says, “Let’s put aside our differences, and emphasize our common values.” After this call, he says, “There is no return from democracy.” I found this very important from an influential religious figure. This made the groups that are benefiting from the clash of society displeased. I think today the same thing is occurring all over again, and some groups are trying to flame the fire of differences. In this chaotic environment, Gulen allowed society to breathe for a moment, and saved the social peace from destruction. Gulen called for help for the Central Asian republics, who gained there independence after the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union, and called for help for the Balkan countries like Bosnia, a land tired of war. This shows that education volunteers spread around the world only for education. That affects everything.”
Alaton continues, “Gulen is not just a good Muslim or a nice religious person. He is also a great thinker with deep knowledge and wisdom. Thirdly, for me, the most important thing is there is a movement attributed to Gulen, a huge educational movement. It educates the person, changes his or her worldview, and makes a person well attuned to universal values. That is a new type of identity. Turkish schools are a project of both mind and heart. They do not have an imperial structure.” (Gundem M., Luzumsuz Adam Ishak Alaton, Alfa, Istanbul 2013, 366-383 p)
When we come to 2013, it is hard to understand why the current government in power in Turkey does not ask Gulen’s opinion about such an important issue as closing the privately owned educational centers founded by Gulen’s followers.
“Gulen does not have a secret agenda,” says Alaton. “In a chaotic environment when many people did not understand what Gulen was saying, Gulen brought very interesting and radical solutions.” Alaton brings proofs for his claims. Alaton reminds of us a saying of Ziya Pasha, a poet from the Ottoman era, “Good deeds will reflect on a person’s mirror.” Though Kazakistan was a sister country with Turkey, we knew very little about Turkey, and the only things we knew were negative. This was until we met with people inspired by Gulen in the 1990’s. We learned friendship and honesty from them.
As we thought of how we can apply his ideas in our native land, we are disturbed to hear all of the slander which has been and is being thrown at Mr. Gulen, such as claiming that he has a secret agenda, or closing down the businesses that have a connection with him.
