Tuesday, 07 February 2012
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What a wonderful experience I had this summer. I was the guest of a program called The Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and spent 12 days in Turkey. Turkey is a remarkable place and often overlooked by the international press. What I discovered there was an enlightened and engaging religious resurgence of a wonderful kind.

We traveled to five areas of Turkey: Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, Antalya, and Sanli Urfa. The trip revealed an unusual and marvelous story of a Turkish Muslin movement initiated by an inspired imam by the name of Fethullah Gulen that started 30 years ago. Beginning his ministry in Izmir, he has given his whole life to ministry and education. He has been called The Weeping Imam because of his compassionate concern for the people of Turkey. He became a popular speaker on campuses across Turkey because of his visionary message. He believes that education and faith belong together, that there is no conflict with true religion and the best of education. The response to his teaching has been phenomenal. Literally millions of people in Turkey and neighboring countries have been part of this movement.

Mr. Gulen’s popularity has not been without a personal price. The government has seen him as a threat though he seeks neither personal gain nor public office. One person has said, “Many have waged war, Fethullah Gulen has waged peace.” His movement has created hundreds of primary and secondary schools as well as a number of colleges around the world from Indonesia and Africa to the Asian Republic and the United States. They have also created hospitals, news agencies, associations of journalists, intellectuals, and writers, TV stations, and programs of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in many countries (such as IID). The graduates of their schools form a talent pool from which they are able to launch their new schools. These teachers work at reduced income out of commitment to Mr. Gulen’s vision. Their gifts of learning and compassion are most impressive.

It is important to understand that the Gulen movement does not come with either a political or religious agenda. Their goal is to build peace in the world and understanding among all people of faith – Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, etc.

Just a story: In the eastern city of Sanli Urfa some Gulen administrators discovered a brilliant young boy who was the son of a shepherd. He with his family still lived a semi-nomadic life. He had almost no education yet still tested very high. The businessmen of that community gave him a full scholarship to attend a Gulen school. He is now in high school.

The Muslin faith inspiring this movement is steeped in both the Sufi and Sunni Muslim traditions. While we see many closed, exclusive, Muslim traditions, this tradition is open and accepting of all people of faith. For these people Jesus is to be placed on an equal plane with Muhammad and to be honored as a true prophet. The Old Testament prophets are similarly revered as God’s messengers. But the authenticity of the faith of this movement can best be found in the commitment, kindness, and compassion of its people. Each member offers daily prayers, financial support, and volunteer hours that make possible the miracles of magnificent schools, hospitals, and universities in countries around the world. To be with these people and to receive their hospitality is an overwhelming experience. In John’s 1st epistle we read, “God is love and everyone who lives is born of God and knows God.” (I Jn.4-7). The love and compassion of these Turkish neighbors are proof of their genuine faith. In their schools people of all nationalities, all races, all cultures, all religions (or no religion) are welcome. It is no accident that millions of young people have been inspired by this magnificent vision.

Mr. Gulen lives in the United States (Pennsylvania) since he is persona non grata by his own government. However, his devotion to world peace has been recognized by millions of average citizens in his own land.

One last story: In the early 1990’s there was a tragic explosion in an Istanbul factory. A father of four young children was killed leaving a young wife without any means of support. There is no social safety net in Turkey as we have here. Mr. Gulen heard about this tragedy and was deeply concerned. He called his publisher and asked that a significant percentage of his royalties be sent directly to this family in perpetuity. And so it has been. This kind of compassion demonstrates the spiritual energy that undergirds this movement. Middle class Turkish businessmen are willing supporters because of this spiritual vision. Multiplied by the support of Christians, Jews, and other people of faith, the Gulen movement is creating a miracle of peace and interfaith understanding in a world deeply in need of both. What a privilege to know these good people.

By Rev. Gene Augustine

Trip to Turkey, May 2006 Kansas
 

The trip to Turkey sponsored by the Institute of Interfaith Dialog and Raindrop Turkish House was an important turning point in my thinking about Turkey, about European history, and about teaching Islamic cultures and literature. Although I might have read more about these subjects than most Americans (because of my teaching interests), the trip made me realize how inadequate my understanding was. It brought me to a new and useful understanding of the history, religion, and people of this crucial region of the world.

First, I was deeply moved by the seemingly infinite layers of human history underpinning the Turkish land mass. From ancient humans, to the Hittites, to the Greeks of the classical and Hellenistic periods, to the Romans, to the early Christians, to the fascinating Ottoman Turks, this part of the world is haunted by the great moments of human history: moments of cultural achievement and change.

Second, I was excited to visit a modern cosmopolitan city (Istanbul) and country in which the majority are Muslim. The beautiful call to prayer five times a day is enriched by the wide variety of beliefs and lifestyles demonstrated by the people on the streets and the firm Turkish devotion to religious tolerance and secular government. In fact, from Ottoman times to the present, Turks have been outstanding in their willingness to accept and befriend people of other cultures and faiths. How important this attitude is to our world today!

Finally, the best thing about the trip was the chance to get to know some Turkish people. The schoolboys cheerfully taking a break from studying for their physics exam; the professional women and their families; the businesspeople, merchants, and educators-all demonstrated the native Turkish hospitality and curiosity about others. No doubt Turkey's history as an ancient empire and crossroads has made it what it is. I will never forget helping a first-grader with his English lesson, chatting over hot tea on the veranda as the sun set over Istanbul, discussing Turkish history on a bus through Cappadocia, eating home-made baklava, and watching carpet after intricate carpet tossed into air and spread before us, as our host explained the ancient art and symbols of Turkish carpet-makers.

I'd like to express my gratitude for the generosity, careful planning, and efficient operation of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog and Raindrop Turkish House. The trip will inform my teaching of world culture and literature from now on, and the elegant hotels and wonderful food made it a particularly sweet and pleasant learning experience. I wish all American educators could make the trip!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kim Stanley

Professor and Chair, Department of Modern Languages

Wichita, KS    2 August 2009
 
Together ... We Can Work It Out!!!!

The trip was unlike any trip I have ever taken. At the top of the list of adjectives would be "hospitable." Everyone we met along the way, regardless of whether they were a host, an employee at one of the hotels, or simply a person on the street, each and every person would exude a sense of openness and friendship unlike anything I have ever experienced.

From a spiritual standpoint, I felt a sense of tolerance to all religions, and was excited to have frank and honest conversations with numerous folks about differences and similarities of various religions.
Having had the opportunity to explore numerous faith-related sites, I feel that I walked away from the trip with a better understanding of customs, mores and religious practices. The Interfaith Dialogue enabled us all to have a better understanding and openness for all.

From a historical standpoint, I learned so much as a result of having this first hand experience. I feel that each and every time we got off of the bus to visit a new site, that I was in for an educational experience of a lifetime.

Finally, did I say anything about the food??? Best food I have ever tasted ... and the best company to break bread with. Many friendships continued to grow and prosper over the course of this trip. For this, I am most grateful.

Thank you for the experience of a lifetime. If you are ever looking for anyone to provide a testimonial about how this trip affected me in a positive manner, please feel free to call on me.

Together ... We Can Work It Out!!!!

David Wallace
Former Mayor of Sugar Land
 
Here’s a brief blurb from me if it’s helpful. My wife and I very much enjoyed our trip to Turkey sponsored by the Institute of Interfaith Dialog.  We visited many of the major sites—in Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, and Konya.  We also had wonderful opportunities to interact with professionals in the academy, media, and nonprofit sectors and then were hosted by several families in their homes for special dinners.  It has to be one of the most enriching, mind-opening trips we’ve ever taken.  We not only learned a great deal, but we also developed good friendships, and the entire trip benefited from the gracious, thoughtful hospitality of our hosts at IID.  We are so glad that we went!
 
D. Michael Lindsay, 
Department of Sociology, Rice University
 
The trip to Turkey that you first envisioned and suggested turned out very well. Everyone, without exception, got alot out of the trip in terms of discovering Turkey, learning about the Gulen movement and bonding with one another. Several of the sociologists of religion are interested in academic research on some aspect of the movement. Both Kay Meyer, president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and Marie Cornwall, editor of the professional journal in the field, were introduced to the movement and were very interested in papers that might be submitted. Alp, Muhammad and Said did a first rate job of leading the group.  The group also bonded very well and developed close relationships that I think will continue. Thank you for your wonderful idea and for inviting me to help organize the group. Albert and I both enjoyed our trip very much and feel it was a big success. 
 
Helen R. Ebaugh
Professor of Sociology, University of Houston
 
Mahsallah! Mahsallah is a word I learned in Turkey. My understanding of the word is that it means something wonderfully made by God, either directly or through the hands of God’s beloved creation. There were many uses for this word in Turkey.

The first time I used the word was after an amazing table was set out before us, laden with delicacies that tantalized my eyes as well as my nose. It looked and smelled so wonderful that Mahsallah rolled off my tongue without me having to struggle with the word. It just seemed to come naturally. 

This was the first of many beautifully laden tables that we encountered along our journey. Everyone of the them set before us was a delectation to the palate. The most pleasurable table being that of Mehmet’s parents; for not only was it set with the generosity and attention to detail of the other tables that we enjoyed, but it was also set with love that was so evident in the faces of Mehmet’s parents. Theirs was a most memorable and endearing meal. 
I was glad to have such a word in Turkey as Mahsallah because some of what I experienced, the words that I know cannot adequately describe. I still cannot fathom the immensity of the coliseum at Ephesus or the Basilica of St. John or the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Even more astounding to me than their size and the magnificence of their architecture was the age of things in Turkey. Coming from a country that is just barely over 200 years old, I have a hard time fathoming civilizations being in existence almost prehistorically, much less still having proof of their existence. Thinking of Abraham’s and Job’s caves, Moses’ staff and John the Baptist’s arm still stretches my imagination.

The marvels of the palaces, and castles, and mosaics and frescoes make me cry out “Mahsallah” that God has made us capable of producing such utterly astounding beauty. And I will be forever grateful that the Turkish people have had the foresight to preserve these wonders.

Then we were shown the wonders of God’s own hand, especially at Cappadocia. I am so grateful to Bilal for coaxing me onto the ledge above the beauty that lay out before my eyes. Once I faced my fear and sat on that ledge, I could have stayed there until the moon rose overhead. I was spellbound. It was such a miraculous piece of God’s handiwork. I never have and never will again see anything like it. 

God’s handiwork shown through, also, in the people of Turkey. Another cause for exclaiming Mahsallah in this wondrous country of Turkey was whenever I encountered the children. They were so beautiful from their open and expressive faces to their joyful and playful natures. They learned early about the welcoming spirit of their culture and they demonstrated this by their delightfully repeated requests for us to speak with
them. Their engaging “Hello, what’s your name?” still rings in my ears as I look back over the pictures of their cherubic faces. Mahsallah.

Another word that I learned in Turkey was tehshekkyewr ehdehreem. I was forced of course to use the shorter version “tehshekkyewr” because of my limited capacity for learning a new language. I was amazed every time someone from Turkey apologized for not speaking good English. Speaking a different language than my own seems extremely difficult for me and yet in my eyes they have mastered two and sometimes more than that.

Yes I was compelled to say, “Tehshekkyewr” many times as we visited the homes of the generous and hospitable people of Turkey. I loved sharing ideas with them. 
One of the great blessings of this trip was the sharing of ideas and our faith. Bilal and Elief and Mehmet were so open to our questions. They shared their answers and their faith and belief with such graciousness that I felt quite comfortable engaging in dialogue all along the journey.

Tehshekkyewr does not seem to say completely the gratefulness I feel in my heart towards our wonderful guides who welcomed and challenged and invited and stretched me to becoming more than I was before I visited for Turkey.

I have grown spiritually by this experience. The visits to Rumi’s tomb, to Abraham and Job’s caves, to the House of Mary, Ephesus and St. John’s Basilica all inspired me to deepen my faith. Special prayers bubbled up from within my heart as I visited these sites, prayers that will bless and challenge me for the rest of my life. The visits to the Mosques of Turkey were also a blessing to me. Feeling the peacefulness and calm filled me each time I entered. This was especially important after visiting the 500 year museum. 
As I visited these diverse places that represented so many different expressions of faith in God I was reminded of Jesus telling the woman at the well “The hour is coming when you will worship God neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship God in Spirit and truth.

One most powerful moment came when I shared the Principal and Foundation of my spirituality and with an astonished look Mehmet said that my spirituality was very Islamic. Our belief in God is manifested in different ways but we saw that we each do bring glory to God as we attempt to turn our will over to God.

Once when we were passing over a river our guide said that we could make a wish because it was the first time we had over gone over this river. My wish was a prayer and I used one more word that I learned in Turkey. Ishallah. Ishallah I will be blessed with returning to this wonderful land of Turkey.

Dianne Hanley, Social Relations Coordinator,
St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge.
Turkey Trip Participant May 2008. 
 
The trip was a great success. I think everyone in the group was greatly impressed with what they saw and will spread good things about the Gulen movement. I will be in touch with you more, but I want to thank you for setting this up. It was a blessing to us all. I will be most interested in hearing from Patricia and, through you, from Tuba and Sevgi, about the gathering of women on Wednesday.

Your and Can's setting up the telephone for me made a great difference. It was a hard week for Patricia, but my children and grandchildren stayed in touch with her and my being able to call every day made both of us feel better.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

With my great affection and appreciation, Bill

William Martin
Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Policy Baker Institute, Rice University 
 


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