Pope Saint John Paul II & His Connection To 250 Dead In Turkey Coup!! Mastermind Behind The Coup Is Muslim Fethullah Gülen Interfaith Dialoger!
Do you know the connection between St. Pope John Paul II & the 250 dead in the Turkey coup attempt?
No?
This:
Fethullah Gülen, a distinguished religious scholar, met with the Pope and thereby realized a top-level meeting in his search for dialogue and mutual respect. He started this search by meeting with representatives of the Turkish Orthodox and Jewish communities at a time when Islam was being presented [in the West] as a threat, and Huntington's clash of civilizations theory was being widely discussed. Gülen's visit to the Vatican is of historic significance.
The existence of Fethullah Gülen's group is an opportunity for Turkey to end its internal polarization, secularize fundamental religious questions, and open our country to the outer world. Some of the worries expressed concerning this group are groundless, and the rest are of a secondary nature and quite negligible. The essential points on which we all agree are those on which secularists and devout Muslims and sincere followers of other religions can come together. The use of Maoists, who actually have fascist tendencies, in the detestable attacks on this group shows that Fethullah Gülen and his group are on the right track.
Also, although the Jacobinist intellectuals are reluctant to see the truth, the schools opened by this group in many parts of the world are widening Turkey's horizons. They complain that these schools are under the control of a religious group. Why should anyone feel offended by that? Did not many Western countries extend their influences throughout the world through the missionary schools they opened in the previous century? Like me, did not many of the Turkish elite study in them [namely, the missionary schools]?
Fethullah Gülen, who met with the Pope - whom I do not like in moral terms but regard as a genius with respect to his political vision - and his distinguished group both activate the dialogue of religious people with others, [improve] their mutual love and respect, and open up broad perspectives for Turkey.
Many thanks to Fethullah Gülen and his distinguished group.
Fethullah Gülen on His Meeting with the Pope
Q: At a time when the clash of civilizations theories are being discussed and NATO has declared [the] Islam[ic world] the chief enemy, you call for a world-wide dialogue. What factors urge you to make such attempts?
A: The idea that the world is on the threshold of new clashes is the expectation of those whose power and continued domination depend on continuous conflict. However, as the Qur'an puts it, humanity is a noble creature and in pursuit of good things. While searching for the good and beautiful, we sometimes may encounter undesirable things. What urges me to call for a worldwide dialogue is humanity's innate nobility and beauty.
Q: Are the relevant commandments or rules of the Qur'an or the Prophet important in your initiatives?
A: The Qur'an urges peace, order, and accord. It aims at universal peace and order, and opposes conflicts and dissensions. It is interesting that the Qur'an calls actions acceptable to God "actions to bring peace and order" ('amali saliha). Our Prophet described fighting in the way of God as the lesser jihad, because it is undertaken only to remove obstacles before perfecting men and women morally and spiritually, and to bring about peace and order in human society. The real aim is to perfect people and to bring about peace and order. When this cannot be achieved by such desirable ways as education, and when you are exposed to unjust attacks, only then can we undertake the lesser jihad. We must understand it not as a rule, but as the last resort.
Q: What was the process that finally made it possible for you to meet with the Pope?
A: One cannot achieve something positive in an atmosphere dominated by enmity and through reactionary measures. As social and civilized beings, especially in our day when human values are given prominence even though rather verbally, we can and should solve our problems through dialogue. It is our belief, which also is shared by sociologists and political analysts, that religions will be more influential in the twenty-first century. Islam and Christianity have the largest followings. Buddhism and Hinduism also have considerable followings. Judaism has an influence of its own. If we expect a universal revival toward the end of time, then this requires, as a preliminary condition, that thse great religions cooperate on the essentials that they have in common.
We have no doubt about the truth of our values. We urge no one to join us, and I think that no one conceives of urging us to join their religion. The Qur'an made a universal call of dialogue to the followers of other heavenly religions. Unfortunately, however, the centuries following this call saw conflict and quarrels rather than dialogue and mutual understanding. Our time is the time of addressing intellects and hearts, an undertaking that requires a peaceful atmosphere with mutual trust and respect. At first glance, the conditions of the Hudaybiya Treaty seemed unacceptable to the Companions. However, the Qur'an described it as an opening, because in the peaceful atmosphere engendered by this treaty, the doors of hearts were opened to Islamic truths. We have no intention to conquer lands or peoples, but we are resolved to contribute to world peace and a peaceful order and harmony by which our old world will find a last happiness before its final destruction.
Interview with Prof. Niyazi Oktem on This Meeting
Q: According to you, what do Fethullah Gülen's efforts for dialogue import in Turkey?
A: In my view, both economic and ideological differences lie behind the conflicts and clashes in the world. Ideological conflicts originate from the [opposing] sides not knowing each other. Thus, I regard Mr. Gülen's efforts as of great significance, as he calls everyone to accept the other as it is and respect each other's views and identity. His inclusion of international figures in his quest for dialogue means a lot for Muslims [in Turkey] particularly. Especially so in the present circumstances, when both Muslims and the Turkish governments have for so long been rather sensitive [on the issue of] foreigners and representatives of non-Muslim religious communities. Until. Gülen started meeting with those representatives, it was unusual for a Muslim to engage in dialogue with a Christian or Jew. I myself took part in the first Religious Counsel held in 1992 and, together with Ethem Ruhi Figlali, dean of the Faculty of Theology at Mugla University, found it very difficult to include the word dialogue in the final declaration. People feared that Christian missionaries would come and poison our people. Why should Muslims convinced of the truth of Islam be afraid? Gülen does not entertain such a fear, and therefore, as a Muslim with full conviction, opens the doors of dialogue to everyone. He has full confidence in his religion.
Q: Some people in Turkey, albeit few in number, speculate that Mr. Gülen is after power. Do you think that?
A: I can never accept that such an important social phenomenon as dialogue should be reduced to something explicable by conspiracy theories. We have no right to judge anyone by what we produce in our imaginations. Disapproval of an idea or initiative gives no one the right to condemn it. They cannot see the good behind Gülen's attempts at dialogue. We should consider the atmosphere of peace and love that dialogue can engender. Gülen had met with Patriarch Bartholemeos I before. I regarded that meeting as one of the most important events in the [recent] history of the Turkish Republic, for our Muslim and Orthodox citizens had [hitherto] regarded each other as enemies. That meeting has paved the way for a better understanding and coming together. His meeting with the Pope is certainly much more important than that.
Q: Why is that meeting so important?
A: It is of global import. First of all, the West has a very negative image of Muslims. In their eyes, Muslims are unproductive, consumers [only], implacable, and inclined to terrorism. And [they see] Islam as the religion responsible for such vices. So, a religious leader's meeting with the Pope at just this time means that he is ready to enter a dialogue with Christians and that Islam is not closed to dialogue. This meeting also contradicts those Europeans who allege that Muslims are too radical to enter a dialogue and offer that as an excuse for not allowing Turkey to join the EU.
Q: Some question Mr. Gülen's status [his worthiness] to meet with the Pope.
A: This is a matter for the Pope not us. But it seems that the Vatican knows Mr. Gülen better than us. The Pope does not accept everyone's request for a meeting. Besides, his appointments are arranged years in advance. Mr. Gülen's meeting with the Pope was arranged last year, which shows that the Vatican considers him an important person.
Personally, I regard this meeting as one of the most important events of the twentieth century. Although at first glance it seems to be a simple event, it will have far-reaching consequences, for positive, important changes in world history [often] have been started and realized by those wholly dedicated to a cause, not the official actors in state structures. Those people may not have official titles, but they have a power resting upon the love of their followers. Gülen has a large following. People agree with him on his initiative. I wish the state would give him greater support. I worry about certain fundamentalist movements in Turkey. Gülen's calls for dialogue make the atmosphere more peaceful and propitious for the coming together of opposing groups. Our ambassador's welcoming him shows that important power centers in the state support him.
Q: Ertugrul Ozkok, editor of Hurriyet has commented that Fethullah Gülen is becoming an international figure. Do you agree with him?
A: Yes, I do. Ideologically Turkey is a Western country, but Islam is still a very important social phenomenon. This phenomenon has long been exploited for political ambitions and, due to this misrepresentation, has been misunderstood. Gülen and his group give priority to its main elements: love, dialogue, respect for others' rights, and human rights. Gülen's movement is undeniably loyal to the essence of Islam, but this does not prevent its members from understanding contemporary values. They give the society the idea that it is possible to live together no matter to what group, faith, or ideology one belongs.
Q: Do you agree that religion is becoming increasingly influential in international relations?
A: Religion has been always been influential. However, many intellectuals cannot see this mission of religion. Economics and religion are the two main factors that have roused peoples to war. Why should it not be possible to use such a powerful factor to bring about peace? Teaching believers that religion can be a means to bring about peace, and that it is not a religious requirement to be enemies with followers of other beliefs, can help eliminate enmities. Also, dialogue between religions can remove the influence of religious differences in international relations.
Q: What do you think about the proposals Mr. Gülen made to the Pope?
A: It is very meaningful that Muslims and Christians celebrate the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus' birth. As Jesus has a significant place in the Qur'an and Islam, cities such as Antioch, Ephesus, and Jerusalem have a great deal of meaning to both Muslims and Christians. Gülen suggested to the Pope that they visit those cities together. He proposed that Jerusalem be a city that the followers of the three religions could visit without a visa, and that they hold conferences in different cities. He also proposed opening a university or a faculty of theology in Urfa, where scholars from the three religions would teach and students would study. All of these offers are of great significance for promoting dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding.
Fethullah Gülen's Meeting with the Pope
The twentieth century has seen the Informatin Age replace the Industrial Age. Huge advances in telecommunications have brought everyone into closer contact with each other. In such a century, ideas can become obsolete very quickly. If this is to be avoided, the idea must be "put in a window" where people can "see" it, so that it can become powerful and influential.
The Muslim world lags far behind the West in economic, political, and military power. Even if Muslims wanted to use physical force, they do not have the means to do so.
Despite the advances of science and technology, the Divinely revealed religions will continue to exist. Neither side can remove the other, and this fact means that their followers will have to live together in peace. But more than that, new developments and changes in the world force religions to cooperate against antireligious movements.
The Christian West initiated a dialogue after the Second Vatican Council, held between 1962-65. Nevertheless, although the Qur'an made a universal, ecumenical call to dialogue 14 centuries ago, Muslims are reluctant to participate in such a dialogue.
Christianity survived by opposing Islam and resorting to force when necessary. It also imagined that it could survive by distorting Islam's image. In the eyes of the Western world, Islam was obscurantist and fanatical, an artful forgery of Judaism and Christianity. For centuries, the Prophet was considered an imposter. However, seeing that the Christian world was moving even further away from Christianity, the Second Vatican Council announced one of the most important changes in its history: In the Council's opening speech, the Pope Paul VI stressed that although other religions have their imperfections and insufficiencies in, the Catholic Church appreciates their good and right elements.
The Vatican's call to dialogue has not been welcomed by Muslims. This may be due to the following reasons:
· There is no comparable official position or authority to represent Muslims.
· Western colonialism, which lasted for centuries and was supported by Christianity, make it easy for Muslims to believe that the Vatican has an ulterior political motive for making such a call.
· Muslims have not forgotten the Crusades and so remain on their guard.
· Muslims may see this as a new style of missionary activities.
· This call was made at a time when Muslims did not expect it. The Church was ready, thanks to the extensive studies of Christian Orientalists, to pursue it and counter its possible consequences; the Muslims were not.
Muslims in Turkey have long been indifferent to the Vatican's call to dialogue. While this is partly due to the reasons cited above, a more important reason is that Turkey largely has been closed to such developments beyond its borders.
It is difficult to approve of such indifference, for, looking at history, we see that the Turks had the closest relations with the West. Second, around 4 million Turks are living in Europe, and Turkey has a long history of trying to enter the EU. In addition, it would be easy for the West to manipulate the international image of Islam and Muslims against Turkey and other Muslim countries. So, it is up to Turkey as a state, as well as up to Muslim Turks because they are Muslims, to present the true image of Islam and prevent its being misunderstood by ordinary and unbiased non-Muslims.
Fethullah Gülen's meeting with the Pope
Fethullah Gülen, a well-known religious scholar, has been identified with efforts for a sincere dialogue within a Turkey torn by division. Except a few radicals on the right and left, his calls for dialogue based on mutual acceptance and respect of each other's identity, have received positive responses from almost all social segments. Since his calls and efforts have attracted a great dea of attention outside Turkey, last summer he organized and attended significant meetings in the US.
Gülen's position as a Muslim scholar in Turkey with a large following makes him an important person. His followers' activities in different fields, especially education, already cover a large area. Almost all communities within Turkey have greeted his calls for dialogue positively, including the representatives of religious communities: the Patriarch of the Turkish Orthodox community, the Patriarch of the Turkish Armenian community, and the Chief Rabbi of the Turkish Jewish community. These facts may have encouraged the Pope to meet with him.
The offers of Fethullah Gülen
Due to the widespread unfamiliarity with foreign languages and ignorance of basic Islamic beliefs, Muslim Turks have been isolated from the outside world for quite a while. The European destruction of the Ottoman State after centuries of attacks, as well as Europe's occupation of Turkey following the First World War, make Turkish Muslims very careful with they have to deal with the Christian West. Thus, it is only "natural" for them to be suspicious at the Vatican's call for dialogue.
The reaction of certain radicals to this meeting shows that people can still use the Crusades as an obstacle to such a meeting. Others, however few, think that a Muslim religious leader can meet his non-Muslim counterpart only to convert him or her to Islam. It is easy to understand why such people oppose Gülen's offers to the Pope.
Gülen suggested that he and the Pope make joint visits to such historically holy cities as Antioch, Ephesus, and Jerusalem, and hold conferences in the various great cities of the world. He suggested that they could open a university or a faculty of theology in Urfa to teach Islam, Christianity and Judaism and also that Jerusalem should be open to visa-less visits by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. These offers are significant steps toward a better understanding among members of these religions. As a religious scholar confident of his belief, fully dedicated to his cause, and of great vision, Gülen does not fear the weakening of Islam by establishing closer contacts with followers of other religions. He opines that past enmities should not be an obstacle to dialogue.
Coperation against antireligious movements
Muslims are weaker than Christians in material power. However, they are confident of their belief and have much to offer the world. Most of our problems come from a materialistic worldview and indifference to the moral values contained and propagated by religions. Muslims and Christians can offer all people, most of whom are ensnared in a corrupt and materialistic civilization, the spirituality and moral values they hold and which can inject a new hope into despairing souls. This is what such unbiased Western thinkers as Olivier Lacombe, Michel Lelong, and Montgomery Watt hope for. They explicitly write that the West, engrossed in materialism and secularism, can return to religion by seeing the power of faith among the Muslims and their submission to God.
So, can we use dialogue to promote Islam's religious, spiritual, and moral values? If one does not see Islam as an ideological and political weapon to be used against rivals or as a means of superiority, if one is not Muslim by name [only], one should be happy with accepting and promoting Islamic values.
Professor Griffith's views of dialogue
During his visit to the US last summer, Fethullah Gülen met with Sidney Griffith, a professor in The Catholic University, Washington, DC. In a subsequent interview he gave to a Turkish daily, Professor Griffith expressed his views of dialogue as helping
Many Western historians have not heard of the Crusades. Islam has been taught in the West only in faculties of political sciences. It has been approached as a political phenomenon from the viewpoint of orientalists. It has not been taught as a religion. This is where the main problem lies.
04/11-12/1998 SOURCE
Who staged the coup?
Erdoğan claims Gülen did it!
Gülen claims Erdoğan did it!
Turkey coup attempt: Erdoğan demands US arrest exiled cleric Gülen amid crackdown on army – as it happened
Erdoğan demanded that Obama arrest or deport an exiled cleric, Fethullah Gülen, from his home in Pennsylvania. Secretary of state John Kerry said the US would consider extradition but required evidence of the imam’s wrongdoing. Gülen rejected the conspiracy accusations in a rare interview with the Guardian and other reporters, and suggested that Erdoğan could have staged the coup. He also condemned the coup attempt, saying, “now that Turkey is on the path to democracy, it cannot turn back.”
Either way both Muslims met with the Pope of Rome and both are dialoguers for false Peace!
The twentieth century has seen the Informatin Age replace the Industrial Age. Huge advances in telecommunications have brought everyone into closer contact with each other. In such a century, ideas can become obsolete very quickly. If this is to be avoided, the idea must be "put in a window" where people can "see" it, so that it can become powerful and influential.
The Muslim world lags far behind the West in economic, political, and military power. Even if Muslims wanted to use physical force, they do not have the means to do so.
Despite the advances of science and technology, the Divinely revealed religions will continue to exist. Neither side can remove the other, and this fact means that their followers will have to live together in peace. But more than that, new developments and changes in the world force religions to cooperate against antireligious movements.
The Christian West initiated a dialogue after the Second Vatican Council, held between 1962-65. Nevertheless, although the Qur'an made a universal, ecumenical call to dialogue 14 centuries ago, Muslims are reluctant to participate in such a dialogue.
Christianity survived by opposing Islam and resorting to force when necessary. It also imagined that it could survive by distorting Islam's image. In the eyes of the Western world, Islam was obscurantist and fanatical, an artful forgery of Judaism and Christianity. For centuries, the Prophet was considered an imposter. However, seeing that the Christian world was moving even further away from Christianity, the Second Vatican Council announced one of the most important changes in its history: In the Council's opening speech, the Pope Paul VI stressed that although other religions have their imperfections and insufficiencies in, the Catholic Church appreciates their good and right elements.
The Vatican's call to dialogue has not been welcomed by Muslims. This may be due to the following reasons:
· There is no comparable official position or authority to represent Muslims.
· Western colonialism, which lasted for centuries and was supported by Christianity, make it easy for Muslims to believe that the Vatican has an ulterior political motive for making such a call.
· Muslims have not forgotten the Crusades and so remain on their guard.
· Muslims may see this as a new style of missionary activities.
· This call was made at a time when Muslims did not expect it. The Church was ready, thanks to the extensive studies of Christian Orientalists, to pursue it and counter its possible consequences; the Muslims were not.
Muslims in Turkey have long been indifferent to the Vatican's call to dialogue. While this is partly due to the reasons cited above, a more important reason is that Turkey largely has been closed to such developments beyond its borders.
It is difficult to approve of such indifference, for, looking at history, we see that the Turks had the closest relations with the West. Second, around 4 million Turks are living in Europe, and Turkey has a long history of trying to enter the EU. In addition, it would be easy for the West to manipulate the international image of Islam and Muslims against Turkey and other Muslim countries. So, it is up to Turkey as a state, as well as up to Muslim Turks because they are Muslims, to present the true image of Islam and prevent its being misunderstood by ordinary and unbiased non-Muslims.
Fethullah Gülen's meeting with the Pope
Fethullah Gülen, a well-known religious scholar, has been identified with efforts for a sincere dialogue within a Turkey torn by division. Except a few radicals on the right and left, his calls for dialogue based on mutual acceptance and respect of each other's identity, have received positive responses from almost all social segments. Since his calls and efforts have attracted a great dea of attention outside Turkey, last summer he organized and attended significant meetings in the US.
Gülen's position as a Muslim scholar in Turkey with a large following makes him an important person. His followers' activities in different fields, especially education, already cover a large area. Almost all communities within Turkey have greeted his calls for dialogue positively, including the representatives of religious communities: the Patriarch of the Turkish Orthodox community, the Patriarch of the Turkish Armenian community, and the Chief Rabbi of the Turkish Jewish community. These facts may have encouraged the Pope to meet with him.
The offers of Fethullah Gülen
Due to the widespread unfamiliarity with foreign languages and ignorance of basic Islamic beliefs, Muslim Turks have been isolated from the outside world for quite a while. The European destruction of the Ottoman State after centuries of attacks, as well as Europe's occupation of Turkey following the First World War, make Turkish Muslims very careful with they have to deal with the Christian West. Thus, it is only "natural" for them to be suspicious at the Vatican's call for dialogue.
The reaction of certain radicals to this meeting shows that people can still use the Crusades as an obstacle to such a meeting. Others, however few, think that a Muslim religious leader can meet his non-Muslim counterpart only to convert him or her to Islam. It is easy to understand why such people oppose Gülen's offers to the Pope.
Gülen suggested that he and the Pope make joint visits to such historically holy cities as Antioch, Ephesus, and Jerusalem, and hold conferences in the various great cities of the world. He suggested that they could open a university or a faculty of theology in Urfa to teach Islam, Christianity and Judaism and also that Jerusalem should be open to visa-less visits by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. These offers are significant steps toward a better understanding among members of these religions. As a religious scholar confident of his belief, fully dedicated to his cause, and of great vision, Gülen does not fear the weakening of Islam by establishing closer contacts with followers of other religions. He opines that past enmities should not be an obstacle to dialogue.
Coperation against antireligious movements
Muslims are weaker than Christians in material power. However, they are confident of their belief and have much to offer the world. Most of our problems come from a materialistic worldview and indifference to the moral values contained and propagated by religions. Muslims and Christians can offer all people, most of whom are ensnared in a corrupt and materialistic civilization, the spirituality and moral values they hold and which can inject a new hope into despairing souls. This is what such unbiased Western thinkers as Olivier Lacombe, Michel Lelong, and Montgomery Watt hope for. They explicitly write that the West, engrossed in materialism and secularism, can return to religion by seeing the power of faith among the Muslims and their submission to God.
So, can we use dialogue to promote Islam's religious, spiritual, and moral values? If one does not see Islam as an ideological and political weapon to be used against rivals or as a means of superiority, if one is not Muslim by name [only], one should be happy with accepting and promoting Islamic values.
Professor Griffith's views of dialogue
During his visit to the US last summer, Fethullah Gülen met with Sidney Griffith, a professor in The Catholic University, Washington, DC. In a subsequent interview he gave to a Turkish daily, Professor Griffith expressed his views of dialogue as helping
Many Western historians have not heard of the Crusades. Islam has been taught in the West only in faculties of political sciences. It has been approached as a political phenomenon from the viewpoint of orientalists. It has not been taught as a religion. This is where the main problem lies.
04/11-12/1998 SOURCE
Who staged the coup?
Erdoğan claims Gülen did it!
Gülen claims Erdoğan did it!
Turkey coup attempt: Erdoğan demands US arrest exiled cleric Gülen amid crackdown on army – as it happened
Erdoğan demanded that Obama arrest or deport an exiled cleric, Fethullah Gülen, from his home in Pennsylvania. Secretary of state John Kerry said the US would consider extradition but required evidence of the imam’s wrongdoing. Gülen rejected the conspiracy accusations in a rare interview with the Guardian and other reporters, and suggested that Erdoğan could have staged the coup. He also condemned the coup attempt, saying, “now that Turkey is on the path to democracy, it cannot turn back.”
Either way both Muslims met with the Pope of Rome and both are dialoguers for false Peace!
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