إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ (Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return)
As the volunteers of the Dialogue Society, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Fethullah Gülen, an Islamic scholar, preacher, and social advocate whose long commitment to education, altruistic community service, and peaceful coexistence has inspired millions around the world. Mr. Gülen’s teachings, particularly his emphasis on dialogue and understanding between different faiths and cultures, have been a profound source of inspiration for the Dialogue Society’s founders and volunteers.
We recognise him as one of the leading Muslim leaders for global peace in our century, who dedicated his life to promoting shared values, dialogue, and peace. As a tireless advocate of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, he embodied the very principles that we strive to uphold. We continue to be inspired by his vision of a world united by mutual respect and cooperation and remain dedicated to upholding these values in our work.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the participants of the Hizmet Movement. Mr Gülen’s legacy of compassion and selfless service to humanity will undoubtedly continue to inspire individuals and communities worldwide for generations to come.
If you wish to share your messages of condolence, please use the form below to offer support to those he has inspired. If you are able, you may also upload a short video message. Your contributions will provide comfort and encouragement to everyone touched by his life and the Hizmet Movement.
Please note that your messages could be shared on social media and used in relevant publications.
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What People Said
Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi, Professor of Religion, Minhaj University Lahore – A hocaefendi, a man from Korucuk, near Erzurum of historic Türkiye that shared cutting edge East and West geopolitics of the Byzantine era. He was a man of few words but with profound impact globally. He taught his inherited faith with a tint of definitive sense of renewal to be understood by his fellow Muslims. Also, his uniqueness was that such deep sense of spirituality brought to the threshold of hundreds of thinkers across the globe to be co pilgrims alongside him into the 21st century. Living nearly a quarter of that century with the growing ill-fated propaganda against his tradition, he faced all of it with an unfettered determination and non-compromising courage to stand with his informed listeners and readers. No political power was able to combat his moral credibility and spiritual magnanimity. He stood his ethical grounds with an immaculate sense of direction and purpose. Hocaefendi Gulen, captured my imagination with his teaching skills when I sat through with his students on the insights of the Al Qur’an, with intricate references to hadiths and their application to modern living in the context, added a new dimension to my biblical reading. His Pensylvania home by this time had become a reflective study centre. I shall remember that cold month of February 2020, his gentle smile and the wise gaze of a spiritual seeker, their innate ability to touch the deepest cognition of a ‘religious other’.
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Seyithan Eker – If today I possess anything in the name of my religion, if I have any respect in society, I owe it first to Allah and then to Hizmet Moviment, and consequently to your sermons. You became my mother, my father, and my spiritual and material guide. I know I was not worthy of this cause, but I always believed, and with that belief, I have tried and will continue to try to live sincerely. Today I have once again realized that the fundamental purpose of this life is to represent the honor and dignity of Islam and the Quran in the best way possible, and it will continue to be so. May my Lord grant me the strength to live with this purpose, and on the Day of Judgment, may He allow me to be by your side. Continue to preach to us, and let us not endure the hellfire, but climb and once again convey our religion, Islam, and the Quran to those there. But let us never stop, for not stopping is our principle.
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Asif Shakoor – كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْت۔ إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ I am saddened to hear of the sad loss of the versatile and reputable scholar, Fethullah Gulen, yesterday morning! I had the honour to read a vast selection of literature authored by him. He was a torch bearer of moderate values and progressive scholarship. He will be dearly missed. May Allah Almighty grant him a lofty abode in paradise.
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Abraham Harran – Fethullah Gülen, who lived his entire life transparently, raised people who strived for peace and tranquility for the entire world. The Creator sees and intervenes in everything at all times. Nothing happens that He does not allow. And no one can prevent anything He wants from happening. We think that a person who is prayed for by hundreds of thousands of people simultaneously and whose forgiveness is sought from the Lord is valuable in the Creator’s sight. I learned a lot from him. He caused significant changes in my life. He helped me to have an important goal when I was aimless. We know there are hundreds of thousands of people who will say these things. He was a guide not only in the world of causes but also in the world of lahut. The one who created him knows his value the most. He fulfilled his duties as a teacher properly, I bear witness to that. May the Lord welcome him in the highest places.
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Ruth Woodhall – I will always be grateful to Hodjaefendi Fethullah Gülen for inspiring the Hizmet Community and for his teachings and interpretation of Islam. May Allah have mercy on his soul and reward him for his good deeds.
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Paul Salahuddin Armstrong – Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioun. My deepest condolences to the family of Shaykh Fethullah Gülen, his friends, and the community inspired by his teachings. The Shaykh’s passing is a big loss to his community and Muslims everywhere. May Allah bless his soul, reward the Shaykh for his many contributions to Islamic scholarship, dialogue initiatives, and spiritual understanding. May Allah accept his noble efforts and grant him a high station in Paradise. Allahumma salli ala sayyidina Muhammadin wa ala ali sayyidina Muhammadin wa barik wa salim. Al-Fatihah. Amin. 🤲🏻🕊️💐💐
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Tom Wilson, St Philips Centre -My sincere condolences to all those involved with the Dialogue Society. Fethullah Gülen was an inspiration. May his memory be a blessing.
