Gulen’s backing is appreciated by Alevis in Turkey

Turkey’s diverse population has always been one of the most important aspects of the country’s cultural heritage. Being home for successors of different ethnicities and civilizations obviously contributed to the multicultural understanding among the people. However, most important tool in the country’s arsenal has been a double edged sword at the same time. Diversities in the country has sometimes provided a playground for clandestine groups aiming to increase tension and create chaos through provocations against ‘the other’. Alevis in Turkey, has been one of ‘the other’ groups in the country that sometimes has been subject to incitements and suppression. M. Fethullah Gulen has been the foremost prominent scholar to stand against these types of provocations and smear campaigns and and the first to claim that Cemevis should be built just next to mosques. On a recently published interview, Dr. Izzettin Dogan, President of the Cem Foundation – represents the Alevis of Turkey – tells that Gulen’s backing helped the community more than anything else in terms of public support.

Below are two articles related to the interview: Read rest of the story

Alevi Respect to Gulen

This is an interesting article that re-iterates the importance placed on dialogue. Here we have an important (and possibly rare) example of intra-faith dialogue. The respect that Fethullah Gulen has gained from leaders of the Alevi sect shows once again the universal appeal of Mr. Gulen in an ever polarising world. He continues to reach put and encourage all members of society to come together in dialogue… Read rest of the story