Fethullah Gulen moot to explore meaning of life, model of ideal human

Ideal Human and Ideal Society in the Thoughts of M Fethullah Gulen

LAHORE: The editor of The Fountain, a Turkish magazine, has said that the purpose of international conference on “Ideal Human and Ideal Society in the Thoughts of M Fethullah Gulen” was to explore meaning of life and the model of ideal human and ideal society that have found their definitions in the thoughts of one of the most significant Turkish scholars Yesilova was addressing a press conference at Punjab University on Monday. 

The Fountain Magazine and Rumi Forum are organising the November 21 conference at PU Law College auditorium. Assistance will come from the Punjab government, Higher Education Commission, Punjab Education Department, Pak Turk International Educational Foundation, Journalists and Writers Foundation and Harmony Publications. 

Talking to media, Yesilova further said that speakers from Pakistan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Northern Ireland and the US had been invited to shed light on the thoughts of Fethullah Gulen, who had inspired an immense civil society movement known as “Hizmet Movement” in Turkey since the late 1960’s and had evolved and grown to encompass many facts of social life. 

He said that Fethullah Gulen was pioneer of the positive action that contributed to social welfare and peace in Turkey and worldwide through education. He said the movement of voluntary people was trying to act as a bridge in realizing unity in diversity, synergy, social innovation, interaction and dialogue between the members of different cultures and civilization. Yesilova was of the view that the speakers would share their research and experience with Hizmet, now active in over 140 countries, on the topics and themes such as democracy and faith-based activism, Gulen’s philosophy on life, meaning and language, Hizmet perspectives on education and case studies on Hizmet.

Published on Dailytimes.com.pk, November 20, 2012

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Conference on Fethullah Gulen’s thoughts on ideal society to be held in Pakistan

A press conference was held at the at the University of the Punjab in Lahore on Monday, to inform reporters about upcoming conference on Gulen's thoughts. (Photo: Today's Zaman)

A conference titled “Ideal Human and Ideal Society in the Thoughts of M. Fethullah Gulen,” seeking to extensively discuss the various dimensions of the Turkish Islamic scholar’s perspectives over an ideal society in a tumultuous time, will kick off on Tuesday in Lahore, Pakistan.

In a press conference held at the University of the Punjab in Lahore on Monday, Professor Dr. Liaqat Ali, the acting vice chancellor; Assistant Professor Maria Maldonado, director of International Linkages; Harun Köken, chairman of the Rumi Forum; and Hakan Yeşilova, editor-in-chief of The Fountain magazine, disclosed the details of the conference.

Professor Ali told reporters that the University of the Punjab had conferred an honorary doctorate on Fethullah Gulen on May 17, 2012, in recognition of his contributions to education and peace, and that this conference will be a follow-up event.

Dedicated to exploring Fethullah Gulen’s ideas on diverse issues, the conference will feature speakers and participants from a number of countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the US.

Fethullah Gulen is a key figure in Turkey and abroad. He is known as the founder of the Hizmet movement, which has played a significant role in the opening of more than 500 schools in over 100 countries around the globe. Additionally, several linked organizations and institutions have stepped up their efforts to build interfaith dialogue through cultural centers and intellectual circles in a bid to contribute to peace and reduce tensions.

Fethullah Gulen has been living in the US for more than a decade.

Source: Today's Zaman 19 November 2012

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Followers of Fethullah Gulen seek to build up the human community

Prof. Leo Lefebure

Prof. Leo Lefebure of Georgetown University speaks at Annual Intercultural Shared Iftar (fast-breaking Dinner) held by Rumi Forum of Washington D.C.

According to him, we all can get so used to routines, and fasting exerts a call to attention for not only Muslims, but followers of other religious paths as well. He shares how Islamic faith calls him to stop and think "what do I worship functionally in my life?"
"In fasting, Muslims both give honor to God, they recall the events that led to the Qur'an, celebrate the Night of Power which took place during some evening in this month; and they also extend concern for others.

The Second Vatican Council, the leaders of the Catholic Church, expressed their respect for the Islamic tradition, and they singled out three practices of Muslims that resonate very deeply with the Catholic tradition: Prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And I like to think of those three together. We pray towards God -both Muslims, Catholics, followers of many other traditions as well-, we fast both in relationship to God and also in relationship to the needs of those who do not have enough to eat and drink -another theme that unites Muslims and Catholics.

In the opening of the document Church's Relation to the Other Religions, fathers of the Second Vatican Council said something that seems rather shocking, that seems completely counter-factual, they say 'There is one community among nations, among peoples.'... And on the one hand that is a deep theological affirmation that we share with Muslims and again with many other traditions as well. We have a common origin in God and a common final destination in God. But it is also a challenge: If we are this community in relationship to God, then we should live that way.

So the leaders of the Council pleaded with Muslims and Christians alike to forget the animosities of the past, and work together. This is what I've seen in practice with the members of Hizmet, followers of Fethullah Gulen, around the world in various places where I've been welcomed and hosted. In one situation after another, they are reaching out, looking for what values we share which are so much important than the areas which we differ, seeking to build up the human community."

Prof. Leo Lefebure concluded his remarks sharing how witnessing Muslim community around the world is a "profound challenge to him as a Catholic to reflect upon [his] own faith, and to work in shaping this one community in which we all share."

Source: http://www.gulenmovement.com/latest-news/145-followers-of-fethullah-gulen-seek-to-build-up-the-human-community

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ENQC1IdPU