The Concept of Ikhlas in the Gulen Movement - Fr. Thomas Michel

(Video Duration: 6  mins. 12 secs)

In his two-part presentation, Georgetown University professor Thomas Michel focuses, first, on Fethullah Gulen’s use of the Qur’an and the hadith, which he asserts what Gulen elaborates on as foundations of his belief and acts as opposed to those claiming he is innovating new ideas. In the second part, he moves on to “Gulen with regard to Sufism”, the school that Gulen both distinguishes himself from and has a lot in common with.

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Fethullah Gulen & Gulen Movement on Global Peace - Symposium in Uganda

(Video Duration: 5 mins. 59 secs.)

On May 28, 2011, a two-session symposium titled “Fethullah Gulen and Global Peace” took place at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Uganda. Contribution of the Hizmet Movement and Fethullah Gulen to World Peace was the main theme of the symposium, a Nile Dialogue Platform event. The first was a discussion session on interfaith dialogue and tolerance followed by an in-depth analysis of the role of Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet (Gulen Movement) in promoting global peace. The second session was a dialogue dinner featuring reflections and remarks that the organization stimulated. Throughout both sessions, numerous academics, intellectuals and officials representing a wide range of faiths and institutions shared their remarks on the symposium with respect to the movement’s overall idea and role in peacemaking.

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Fethullah Gulen and the Concept of Ikhlas [Pure Love for God, Fidelity]

(Video Duration: 1 min. 35 secs.)

Fr. Thomas Michel

A conference titled “Muslims between Tradition and Modernity: The Gulen Movement as a Bridge between Cultures” was held at Potsdam University in Berlin on May 26-27, 2009.

Presenting a conference paper titled “The Concept of Ikhlas [pure love for God and sincerity in Islamic literature] in Gülen's Teachings,” American Professor Thomas Michel said “gaining the approval of God” without expecting anything in return from people is a central tenet in the teachings of Fethullah Gülen. Noting that even reaching heaven is not a motivating factor in his teachings, he said the acquisition of worldly gains does not exist in Gülen's understanding of Islam.

In this video, Fr. Thomas Michel responds to a question about the concept of Ikhlas in Gulen's teachings:

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Importance of Gulen-inspired schools

(Video Duration: 39 secs.)

Fr. Thomas Michel

Fethullah Gulen Chair at the UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia hosted a conference titled The Significance of the Education for the Future: The Gulen Model of Education.

Fr. Thomas Michel (Secretary, Vatican Secretariat for Inter-religious Dialogue), was interviewed at the opening reception:

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Scholars' views on Fethullah Gulen & Gulen Movement - Part 2

(Video Duration: 7 mins.)

This video is the second part of the interviews with many prominent academicians who presented papers at the International Conference on Gulen Movement in Chicago.

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Scholars' views on Fethullah Gulen & Gulen Movement - Part 1

(Video Duration: 6 mins 21 secs.)

This video is the first part of the interviews with many prominent academicians who presented papers at the International Conference on Gulen Movement in Chicago.

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Gulen conference in Rotterdam - Fr. Thomas Michel at the closing reception

(Video Duration: 4 mins. 22 secs.)

Fr. Thomas Michel (Secretary, Vatican Secretariat for Interreligious Dialogue) is delivering a speech at the closing reception of Gulen Conference in Rotterdam on November 23, 2007.

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Gulen Movement: A Dynamic Muslim Movement for Service & Education

(Video Duration: 2 mins. 40 secs.)

Fr. Thomas Michel

Marywood University and The Golden Generation Retreat Center of Scranton Pennsylvania recently hosted a program entitled "Gulen Movement: A Dynamic Muslim Movement for Service and Education". Fr. Thomas Michel, Director of the Jesuits' Office for Inter-religious Dialogue was the keynote speaker. The event took place at the Marywood University Hall in Scranton.

The seminar started with Father Michel telling about his background and how he served in different parts of the world to promote dialogue. When he was asked how was introduced to Turkish culture and the Fethullah Gulen Movement he spoke about how he studied in Turkiye.

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