The Principles of the Construction of the “Other” in Fethullah Gülen’s Thought

by Özgür Koca – [ Journal of Dialogue Studies, Vol 3 No 2 ]

Abstract

The Hizmet (Gülen) Movement is a transnational phenomenon. In the last two decades, the participants of the movement have managed to establish a large number of educational institutes, interfaith and intercultural dialogue centres, humanitarian aid organizations, media institutions, and business associations functioning around the globe. The Hizmet movement is to date an evidently admirable faith inspired movement interacting with diverse religious traditions, secular ideologies, and cultures in more than 150 countries. Questions arise here: what motivates and enables the participants of the Hizmet Movement to engage with the religious, cultural, and ideological “Other” so successfully? How do they perceive the Other? And how do they justify their construction of the Other in relation to their faith? To help answer these questions, this article aims to provide a preliminary research on and critical analysis of how Fethullah Gülen, the inspirer of the Hizmet Movement, constructs the Other in his writings.