Rumi Forum is organizing the International Hizmet Essay Contest 2015 in partnership with the Hizmet Studies Review, which is based at the KU Leuven University in Belgium. The theme of the International Hizmet Essay Contest 2015 is:
“The Hizmet Approach to Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization”
The Hizmet Essay Contest is an annual contest series that encourages research on the Hizmet movement as well as the works of the Turkish Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gulen. The contest aims to motivate individuals to think critically about issues that affect the international society and, how to tackle these important issues from a Hizmet perspective. Individuals will research the various works of Fethullah Gulen and the activities of Hizmet institutions both locally and abroad, with the purpose of identifying how the Hizmet movement contributes to the solution of a particular issue on an individual, societal and global level.
The Hizmet Movement, which derives its name from the word “service”, has established hundreds of educational, civic service organizations and institutions in over 160 countries, who are active in the areas of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, intercultural-interfaith dialogue, education, media and relief work. These organizations and institutions engage in various initiatives that foster inclusiveness, build community capacity, and create shared spaces.
Individuals are asked to evaluate the societal impact of the activities of the Hizmet movement and the ideas of Fethullah Gulen and how those ideas and actions can be used in the context of countering violent extremism at a local, national or international level.
Contestants are asked to approach the essay in one of two ways:
- Case Studies: By using this approach the contestant is looking into a very specific case that can be either a country study or a regional study (i.e. US, Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Africa, Australasia, Turkey etc.) Identify and analyze the various Hizmet initiatives in areas of peacebuilding, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, education and relief work in that particular country/region and how those contributions have aided in countering violent extremism and radicalization.
- Theoretical focus: How teachings and writings of Fethullah Gulen lay the foundation of the Hizmet Movement’s initiatives and hence contribute to producing solutions to the problem of radicalization and violent extremism. Situations used in essays based in this category can be hypothetical and does not have to apply to a particular country/region.
REQUIREMENTS:
*Essays must be no fewer than 3000, and no more than 4000, words in length. (Citations and bibliography are not included in the word count).
*The essays must be double spaced.
*One entry per person. Essays must be submitted by February 1st, 2016, no later than 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time. (Organizers have the right to change the contest deadline).
*Essays must be the original work of entrant and must be owned by entrant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification. Essays must not infringe on any third party rights or intellectual property of any person, company, or organization. By submitting an essay to this Contest, the entrant agrees to indemnify the organizers for any claim, demand, judgment, or other allegation arising from possible violation of someone’s trademark, copyright, or other legally protected interest in any way in the entrant’s essay.
* All submitted essays will become the property of the organizers.
* Awardees will be notified via e-mail by April 30th, 2016. The Rumi Forum reserves the right to change the notification date.
ELIGIBILITY:
*Entrants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that awards Bachelor’s , Master’s, or Doctoral Degrees. Both full-time and part-time students may apply.
*Open to all countries.
*We encourage students of all backgrounds and ability to participate in this contest.
AWARDS:
*There will be 2 student categories:
*Undergraduate prize: 300 Euros (or the Dollar equivalent in USA)
*Graduate prize: 300 Euros (or the Dollar equivalent in USA)
*Winning essays may be published in the Hizmet Studies Review. The winning authors may be asked to further revise their papers before publishing. There will not be further compensation for publishing.
REGISTRATION:
Please register your interest via the link below. Further details and updates will be sent to those registered. Registration is important and should be considered the first step. There is no fee or cost to register or submit an essay.
For queries please email info@rumiforum.org with “Hizmet Essay Competition” in the SUBJECT line.
Click here for the winners of 2014 Hizmet Essay Contest
Organizers:
Rumi Forum
Rumi Forum was founded in 1999 with the mission to foster intercultural dialogue, stimulate thinking and exchange of opinions on supporting and fostering democracy and peace and to provide a common platform for education and information exchange. The Forum contributes to this ultimate aim by means of conferences, panel discussions, community engagement, luncheons, publications and other activities. In particular the forum has an interest in issues regarding pluralism, peace building and conflict resolution, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, social harmony and justice, civil rights and community cohesion.
Hizmet Studies Review
Hizmet Studies Review (HSR) is a scholarly peer-reviewed international journal on the Hizmet Movement. It provides interdisciplinary forum for critical research and reflection upon the development of Fethullah Gülen’s ideas and Gülen Movement (Hizmet movement). Its aim is to publish research and analysis that discuss Fethullah Gülen’s ideas, views and intellectual legacy and Hizmet Movement’s wider social, cultural and educational activities. The HSR publishes peer-reviewed articles, review essays and the journal aims to keep readers informed with commentaries, practical notes and reviews of recently published books-articles on Hizmet Movement.