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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Love of the Prophet in Fethullah Gulen's sufism

(Video Duration: 1 min 12 secs)

Zeki Saritoprak of John Carroll University presents his paper which focuses on love of Prophet in Fethullah Gulen’s life, thought, and mysticism through an academic approach. After discussing briefly major predecessors of Gulen in this regard from early periods, Saritoprak examine Gulen’s own writings including his description of the “Infinite Light”, Prophet Muhammad.

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Ori Soltes on Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet Movement

(Video Duration : 5 mins. 49 secs.)

In parallel with his recent book “Embracing the World: Fethullah Gulen's Thought and Its Relationship with Jalaluddin Rumi and Others”, the professor Ori Soltes reflects on the Sufi aspects of the motive behind Fethullah Gulen and the Gulen movement’s activities. Parenthetically, the book not only explores the Sufism in thought but its practical implications in a broad context through action-based initiatives he has inspired.

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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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Sacred Space in the Hizmet Movement & The Thought of Fethullah Gulen

(Video Duration: 5 mins. 8 secs.)

Jon Pahl, Ph.D.

Religious Studies Perspectives on the Hizmet Movement was the topic of the fourth panel at the “International Conference on the Gulen Movement: Paradigms, Projects, Aspirations” held at the International House of University of Chicago in 2010.

In the panel, Dr. Jon Pahl of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at the Temple University, Pennsylvania presented his paper on the Sacred Space in the Hizmet Movement and the Thought of M. Fethullah Gulen. Below are some excerpts from Dr. Pahl’s presentation:

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Fethullah Gulen’s conception of Knowledge and Reflection

(Video Duration: 2 mins. 56 secs.)

Klas Grinell, Ph.D.

Religious Studies Perspectives on the Hizmet Movement was the topic of the fourth panel at the “International Conference on the Gulen Movement: Paradigms, Projects, Aspirations” held at the International House of University of Chicago in 2010.

In the panel, Dr. Klas Grinell of the Gothenburg University of Sweden presented his paper on Islamic Movements and Gulen’s conception of Knowledge. Below are some excerpts from Dr. Rausch’s presentation:

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Fethullah Gulen, Moral Selfhood and Devotion

(Video Duration: 1 min. 45 mins.)

Margaret J. Rausch, Ph.D.

Religious Studies Perspectives on the Hizmet Movement was the topic of the fourth panel at the “International Conference on the Gulen Movement: Paradigms, Projects, Aspirations” held at the International House of University of Chicago in 2010.

In the panel, Dr. Margaret J. Rausch of the University of Kansas presented her paper on The Hizmet Movement and Sufism: Moral Selfhood and Compassionate Engagement. Below are some excerpts from Dr. Rausch’s presentation:

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