On October 17, 2024, Professor Ori Z. Soltes presented his book, Between Thought & Action: An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gülen, focusing on the Hizmet (Service) Movement and Fethullah Gülen. Professor Soltes teaches at Georgetown University, where his lectures cover topics ranging from art history and theology to philosophy and political history. His multidisciplinary career includes directing museums and curating exhibitions.
The reception began with lunch and an opportunity for participants to meet Professor Soltes. His presentation was divided into three parts: the first part offered a brief history of Fethullah Gülen and Turkey; the second, a story of how he met Gülen and the Hizmet Movement; and the third, his motives for writing the book.
The first part summarized the historical tension between Turkey’s secular foundational values and society’s religious tendencies. Governmental pressure on religious expression during this period created a gap between the state’s envisioned society and society as it existed in reality. Mr. Gülen was born and raised in a pious family within this atmosphere. The differences between the secular school system and the madrasa (religious educational institute) influenced his approach to education, centring scientific learning without disregarding religion. Professor Soltes quoted Albert Einstein, “Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind,” to frame the educational philosophy of the Hizmet movement.
The second part detailed how Professor Soltes was introduced to Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet Movement through a discussion group organized by the Rumi Forum at Georgetown University. The depth of intellectual exchange during these meetings inspired him to learn more about the Movement and its core values. After writing his first book on the Hizmet Movement, Embracing the World: Fethullah Gülen’s Thought and Its Relationship to Jalaluddin Rumi and Others, he decided to meet with Gülen. He then began work on a second book, interviewing individuals involved in the Movement. This process took several years and coincided with the alleged coup attempt in Turkey, which increased his resolve to publish the book in response to accusations. Since its publication, both he and his family have faced scrutiny from Turkish state authorities.
In his speech, Professor Soltes highlighted that Fethullah Gülen identified three vital global issues and took actions to address them: education to combat ignorance, dialogue to alleviate strife, and financial support to fight poverty. The Movement has implemented these ideas by offering quality education, providing accommodations and scholarships to disadvantaged students worldwide, and fostering dialogue between polarized groups. Consequently, the book’s title, Between Thought & Action, reflects Gülen’s lifelong commitment to addressing the world’s major challenges through thought and action.
Following Professor Soltes’s speech, participants posed questions about the book and his views on the Movement, particularly regarding feminism, the Movement’s future, and the importance of educational institutions. At the end of the reception, Professor Soltes signed books with personal messages.
You can watch the full event in this video.
You can read the book review here.
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