I have been deeply saddened by the death of M. Fethullah Gulen. It is as if one has lost a friend. I have been on a journey with Fethullah Gulen since I was introduced to his writings and thought by members of the Turkish community in Northern Ireland some fifteen years ago. I have been in dialogue with his thought, spirituality and ethics since. Many of his books are part of my library. It was an immense privilege, therefore, to meet him five years ago in his home and centre in Pennsylvania. There was an evening of respectful and open dialogue and conversation with him. He also ensured that over the few days we recieved the most generous and warmest of hospitality. I recall that personal encounter with profound gratitude. His deep spirituality was contagious.

His spirituality was rooted in the Qur’an, for him the shortest way to God, and a book of guidance for life and the good society. To study of the Qur’an he brought faith and reason. He also interpreted the Qur’an with other faiths in mind, and perhaps in this lay his originality.

Interfaith encounter and dialogue were key and essential for him. For Fethullah Gulen dialogue between people of different cultures and faith could bring mutual understanding, respect and commitment to justice. He emphasised the ‘pillars of dialogue’ which were the universal values of love, compassion, tolerance and forgiveness. He also built a significant bridge between science and spirituality or spiritual values, and saw these as a bridge between East and West.

Fethullan Gulen’s contribution to dialogue, bridge building, peace, spirituality and spiritual values has been immense. He was a significant public intellectual and spiritual and moral leader. He embodied the ethics of Islam, the spirit of dialogue and a sense of the Sacred in all of life.

There is the loss of a dialogue partner and a friend, what in Irish we call anamchara, a soul-friend.

In the context of the life of the world he prayed:

‘We pray and beg that the infinitely Compassionate One
will not let our hopes and expectations come to nothing’.
M. Fethullah Gulen
(Toward a Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance, p232)

Dr Johnston McMaster

Assistant Professor at Irish School of Ecumenics Trinity College Dublin – Member of Council of State of the President of Ireland 

4 November 2024