Fethullah Gulen is one of the protected class---a brand franchise promoting peace, understanding, respect, and tolerance
Fethullah Gulen’s discourse cherishes and his life exemplifies values like empathic acceptance, altruistic service of one’s community and humanity in general, complementary roles of the intellect and the heart, sincerity, holistic view of the human, deepening faith and love of the creation.
He is noted for his pro-democracy, pro-science, pro-dialogue and non-violence stances in critical junctures of the history of his society. In July 2008, Fethullah Gulen was listed among the top hundred public intellectuals in the world by Foreign Policy magazine .
Qualifications
Extensive knowledge and teaching experience in Islamic scholarship. Proficient author with more than sixty books translated into many world languages. Recognized as the world's top public intellectual in Foreign Policy / Prospect poll in 2008. Years of service as an imam, preacher, and civil society activist with acclaimed competence as a speaker on Islam, education, and dialogue in Turkey.
Education
Classical education in Islamic scholarship at various divinity schools (Kurşunlu, Kemhan, Taşmescid) under a number of Turkey's renowned Sufi scholars and masters, such as Ramiz Gülen, Muhammed Lütfi, Haci Sıtkı, Sadi Efendi, and Osman Bektaş (1951–1956)
Compulsory elementary education (1946–1949)
Home schooling along with memorization of the whole Qur'an and mastering recitation skills (before 1946)
Employment
Imam / Preacher
* Voluntary Imam / Preacher, Erzurum, Amasya, Tokat, Sivas (1955–1958)
* Deputy Imam, Üçşerefeli Mosque, Edirne (1959–1961)
* Imam / Lecturer, Iskenderun, while serving compulsory military service (1961–1963)
* Member of the Public Hall, Erzurum (1963). Convened conferences and lectured on Rumi
* Qur'an Teacher / Imam, Dar'ul Hadis Mosque, Edirne (1964)
* Senior Preacher (Merkez Vaizi), Kırklareli (1965)
* Senior Preacher, Izmir (1966–1971)
* Director / Teacher, Kestanepazarı Boarding Qur'anic School (1966–1971)
* Senior Preacher, Edremit (1972–1974)
* Senior Preacher, Manisa (1974–1976)
* Senior Preacher, Izmir, Bornova (1976–1980)
* Voluntary Preacher, Istanbul, Izmir, and throughout Turkey (post-retirement service) (1986–1989)
Speaker
* Delivered a series of talks in Turkey and Europe (1975–1977)
* Talks on social, cultural, and religious matters recorded and broadcast every week on www.herkul.org (2003– present)
Honorary President / Civil Society Leader
* Founder member of the Journalists and Writers Foundation (1994)
* Participated in interfaith gatherings and promoted dialogue through a number of events organized by this foundation. (1994–1998)
* Honorary president of Rumi Forum, Washington D.C. (1999–present)
The Gülen Institute was established in October 2007 as a non-profit organization and a joint initiative of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and the Institute of Interfaith Dialog.
The perspectives of the institute are inspired by the life and works of the distinguished contemporary scholar and civic leader Fethullah Gülen. Visit Fethullah Gulen Forum for updates on Mr. Gulen and Gulen Movement.
Dialog of Civilizations Platform on January 23, 2010
Luncheon Forum: Dr. Robert Pape
"Occupation, violence and religion: A look at dynamics of conflicts in the light of Afghanistan troop surge"
Gulen Institute welcomes Dr. Robert A. Pape, a distinguished political science professor, from the University of Chicago at a luncheon forum.
This luncheon will take place during the Dialog of Civilizations Platform on January 23, 2010. After Dr. Pape's speech, there will be a session where high school students participate as panelists. Their topic is 'Improving Family Relations".
OPENING REMARKS: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett 
SESSION: Social Conflicts and Peaceful Coexistence
SESSION: Substance Abuse and Youth
HIGH SCHOOLS SESSION: Improving Family Relations
SESSION: Public Role of Women around the World
SESSION: Poverty and Social Justice
Hon. Kofi Annan at the Gülen Institute
April 12, 2010
Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1997-2006
Nobel Peace Prize Recipient
Speech Topic: The Global Compact: Challenging Business to Become Leading Actors in Sustainable Development
Gülen Institute's Youtube Channel
Fethullah Gulen Conference.org
International Conferences on Islam in the Contemporary World: The Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice
Fethullah Gülen is a Turkish Muslim scholar, thinker, author, poet, opinion leader, educational activist, and preacher emeritus. He is regarded as the initiator and inspirer of the worldwide social movement of human values known as the Hizmet (Service) Movement or the Gülen Movement.>
2005 Islam in the Contemporary World: The Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice
November 12-13, 2005, Rice University, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
2006 The Second International Conference on Islam in the Contemporary World: The Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice
March 4-5, 2006, Southern Methodist University, Dallas,
2006 The Second Annual Conference on Islam in the Contemporary World: The Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice
November 4-5, 2006, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
2007 The Third Annual Conference on Islam in the Contemporary World: The Fethullah Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice
November 3, 2007, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio,
2009 The Fifth International Conference on Islam in the Contemporary World: The Gülen Movement in Thought and Practice
March 6-7, 2009, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A.
NOTE: There is no information on the Fourth International Conference on the website
Fethullah Gulen Forum is an online discussion board of issues related to Fethullah Gülen. By creating active discussions, FG Forum aims to offer in depth analysis on Fethullah Gülen and the Gülen Movement.
Recent Articles
* Defamation of Gulen as a Smoke Screen Abdullah Ademoglu. April 5, 2010
* Responses to Soner Cagaptay Fethullah Gulen Forum. March 13, 2010
* Fethullah Gülen: Spiritual Leader in a Global Islamic Context Salih Yucel, PhD- Journal of Religion and Society. February 4, 2010
* Fethullah Gülen and Al-Ghazzali on Tolerance J. B. Schlubach, Ph.D.. January 7, 2010
* Fethullah Gulen's Thoughts on State, Democracy, Politics, Terrorism and ... Zeki Saritoprak, PhD.
* “Fethullah Gülen's Grand Ambition”: A Biased, Selective, Misleading, Misrepresentative and Miscalculated Article Dogan Koc. January 29, 2010