Many of you already know much about the life and thought of Fethullah Gülen, but for those here who do not, allow me to state a few words of introduction. I ask the indulgence of those who in many cases know the Gulen movement much better than I. Mr. Fethullah Gülen, affectionately known as Hoca Efendi or “Esteemed Teacher” by several million Muslims who have been inspired and formed by his teaching, was born in 1938 in Eastern Turkey. After a traditional Islamic education, Gülen began teaching religion and preaching in mosques, first in Eastern Turkey and later in the Mediterranean city of Izmir. It was in that modern, cosmopolitan environment that the Gülen movement had its origins.
The community’s educational commitment moved beyond its schools, so called “Gulen Schools“, into the media with the publication of a daily newspaper, Zaman, and a television channel, Samanyolu and now publishes over 35 publications ranging from popular newsmagazines to professional journals. Here in the States, the Ebru cable television channel has full schedule of programming in English which seeks, according to their mission statement, “to educate, inspire and entertain viewers of all ages …and to foster understanding through intercultural dialogue and mutual respect, thus promoting peace and diversity with our neighbors here and throughout the world.
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