Fethullah Gülen: Difference between revisions

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'''Fethullah Gülen''' a former Islamic preacher, and the foremost leader of the ''Gülen's movement'' in [[Turkey]]. His supporters hail him as an important [[Islamic scholar]] with [[liberal]] ideas, while detractors accuse him of illegal activities aimed at undermining the secular republic and replacing it with an Islamic state. His followers are sometimes referred to as [[Fethullahci]] (Supporters of Fethullah), while they choose to refer themselves as "Hizmet Insani" (Those devoted to service to others). His influence extends over much of Central Asia and Caucasus.

He has inspired some Turkish volunteers to open about 500 educational institutions in over 90 countries in [[Eurasia]], [[Africa]] and [[America]]. <ref>[http://www.yeniaktuel.com.tr/tur101,[e-mail] Yeni Aktüel Weekly Magazine, 11-17 October 2005, No:13.]</ref> <ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Turkish-Islam-Secular-State-Contemporary/dp/0815630409 M. Hakan Yavuz and John L. Esposito, eds. Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gulen Movement (Syracuse University Press, 2003)]</ref> Gulen is also known for his participation in interfaith dialogue activities. He personally met with religious leaders, including [[Pope John Paul II]], the Panahriot Greek [[Patriarch Bartholomeos]], and Israeli Sephardic Head [[Rabbi Eliyahu B. Doron]].

He has lived in [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States]] since [[1999]], due to some personal health problems.

==Biography==