Scholars, clerics and civic leaders gathered at Drew University, a private liberal arts university in Madison, New Jersey, from October 3 to 5 to examine the work and legacy of Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen in education, dialogue, peacebuilding and identity.
Gülen, born in 1941 in Turkey’s northeastern Erzurum province, was one of the most influential Muslim thinkers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He rose from his post as a state-employed imam to promote a program that stressed education, interfaith dialogue and civic responsibility. His ideas inspired what became known as the Hizmet, or “service,” movement, which built hundreds of schools, universities, media outlets and charities in more than 100 countries. Supporters credit his teaching with shaping a faith-based model of civic engagement that combined Islamic values with modern education, producing graduates active in science, business and the arts.
In 1999 Gülen moved to the United States for medical treatment and lived in Pennsylvania until his death in 2024. During his years in exile, his influence spread globally, but so did political controversy. Turkey’s government labeled the movement a terrorist organization and accused Gülen of orchestrating a failed coup in July 2016, charges he and the Hizmet movement rejected. After the coup attempt, Turkish authorities shut down schools, charities and media linked to his followers and prosecuted tens of thousands of people over alleged ties.
The Respect Graduate School, an Islamic graduate institution in Pennsylvania offering advanced studies in Islamic theology and social thought, in partnership with the Peace Islands Institute, a US nonprofit promoting interfaith understanding and dialogue, organized the three-day meeting in campus venues including Crawford Hall and The Space at Drew University.
The program opened with remarks by Drew University President Hilary L. Link and Center on Religion, Culture and Conflict Director Jonathan M. Golden, the leader of Drew’s interdisciplinary center that studies religion, culture and conflict, followed by welcoming speeches from Respect Graduate School President Süleyman Eriş and Peace Islands Institute Board President Nuray Yurt.
Scott C. Alexander of the Catholic Theological Union delivered the keynote address, “Reading the Signs of the Times,” followed by a question and answer session. The opening segment also featured Qur’an scholar Suat Yıldırım, writer Abdullah Aymaz, former media executive Naci Tosun and human rights advocate Enes Kanter Freedom. Organizers provided Turkish-English interpretation on site and through Zoom.
Panels throughout the weekend explored Gülen’s approach to education, dialogue, science and religion, women’s leadership and Muslim identity. Contributors included Ori Soltes, Oliver Leaman, Nevin Reda, Bilal Ansari, Alp Aslandoğan and Derya İnér. Participants examined Gülen’s work on peacebuilding through schooling, servant leadership, pastoral theology and the relationship of science and revelation.