Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Global Impact of Fethullah Gulen Nur Movement (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) [Paperback]

M. Hakan Yavuz (Editor), John L. Esposito (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Contemporary Issues in the Middle East | Publication Date: November 2003

Works from the first conference on the Fethullah Gülen movement in Turkey.

This book examines recent reformations of Islam and culture in Turkey and the successful Islamic modernist Fethullah Gülen movement. Combining a devotion to Islam with love for modern learning, especially modern science, the Fethullah Gülen movement has gained a substantial following in Turkey over the past twenty years, and since 1991 has achieved great influence in Central Asia through the establishment of schools. Contributors explore the origins and establishment of the Gülen movement, its intellectual and religious formation, its spread across Turkey and Central Asia, and its influence on citizens outside the movement, including on leading Turkish politicians.

Contents

"Islam in the Public Sphere: The Case of the Nur Movement," M. Hakan Yavuz

"The Gülen Movement: The Turkish Puritans," M. Hakan Yavuz

"The Gülen Movement's Islamic Ethic of Education," Bekim Agai

"Fethullah Gülen as Educator," Thomas Michel "Following in the Footsteps of Fethullah Gülen: Three Women Teachers Tell Their Stories," Elisabeth Özdalga

"Fethullah Gülen's Search for a Middle Way Between Modernity and Muslim Tradition," Ahmet Kuru

"Diaspora and Stability: Constitutive Elements in a Body of Knowledge," Yasin Aktay

"Fethullah Gülen: A Sufi in His Own Way," Zeki Sar Toprak

"The Making of Enemy and Friend: Fethullah Gülen's National Security Identity," Hasan Kösebalaban

"National Loyalties and International Undertakings: The Case of the Gülen Community in Kazakistan," Berna Turam

"Ijtihad and Tajdid by Conduct: The Gülen Movement," Ihsan Yilmaz

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In this volume, twelve contributors examine Fethullah Gulen, one of Turkey's most influential Islamic thinkers, and his religious movement. -- Journal of Church and State

The editors of this timely volume on the Fethullah movement... introduce Gulen as a 'Turkish spiritual and social leader'... -- Middle East Quarterly --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

M. Hakan Yavuz is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Utah.

John L. Esposito is the founding director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and professor of religion and international affairs and Islamic studies at Georgetown University. He is the author of Islam and Politics, Fourth Edition, and Women in Muslim Family Law, Second Edition, also published by Syracuse University Press. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Syracuse University Press (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815630409
• ISBN-13: 978-0815630401
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #950,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John L. Esposito is University Professor of Religion and International Affairs at Georgetown University and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin-Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. He is the editor of The Oxford Encyclopedia of Modern Islam and The Oxford History of Islam, and author of Unholy War, What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam, and many other acclaimed works.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a timely book, November 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Global Impact of Fethullah Gulen Nur Movement (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (Paperback)

Turkey is known with its peaceful Islamic movements and among them is the Nurcu movement to which Gulen belongs. Although the Turkish political establishment views Gulen's educational activities with suspicion, he preaches tolerance and co-existence in a pluralistic cultural environment. The book appears to be the first study, a compilation of good articles on the movement he leads. Some of the articles concentrate more on his ideas and views than analyzing the movement itself. Particularly noteworthy are pieces by Hakan Yavuz, Yasin Aktay, Elisabeth Ozdalga, Ahmet Kuru, John Voll and Hasan Kosebalaban. Overall the book is a timely study particularly in the context of strong anti-islamic movements around the world, with the rhetoric that Islam breeds violence. The book shows that this accusation is largely false using the empirical case of Gulen movement. It reminds the readers that Islam like any other religion is interpreted in a particular context shaped by political, social and economic conditions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A worthy read, October 6, 2010

By 

Will Jerom (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Global Impact of Fethullah Gulen Nur Movement (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (Paperback)

Content Summary: Fethullan Gulen, and the "Gulen Movement" is the focus of this book. Gulen is Turkish-born, from Erzurum, and began to make an impact as a mosque preacher in Izmir, Turkey. His primary emphasis since then has been educational, and in terms of "Islam and universal ethics." He believes the Creator was responsible for making all peoples, so that Islam must love and include all. Modern, scientific education, and the best, most inclusive values of Islam has been part of his doctrine. While many have criticized his support of the State and Nationalism, he has also been compelled to flee Turkish military authorities that consider him a threat to secular society.

Analytical Review: This is a "non-book" in the sense that it is a compilation of articles by multiple authors with different perspectives. While "non-books" can be very disjointed and disappointing at times, this book proves to be an exception. From reading it even an introductory student can piece together important aspects of Gulen's career, as well as that of Said Nursi, one of his mentors. On the whole an engaging read about a side of Islam that speaks of universal moral values...a side which should be more frequently emphasized.

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars nice start, January 3, 2004

By 

"rmonx76" (Seattle,WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gulen Movement (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (Hardcover)

As a first in this kind of academic attempt, this book is very successfull. The articles especially took my attention are ones from Elisabeth Ozdalga, Ahmet T. Kuru, and Zeki Saritoprak. Elisabeth Ozdalga's research subject is an interesting one which should be expanded in the future. Ahmet T. Kuru's article is compact and very well organized. I liked the conclusion part clever. 4 points explained in detail needs further detailing -which might be a subject for a whole new book-