Erzurum, 1938–1959

Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi was born in 1938 in Erzurum, Turkey, to a pious family. Under the oppressive conditions in the country against the pious, Fethullah was primarily taught by his parents and Muhammed Lutfi (aka Alvarlı Efe), a spiritual master and poet who instilled in his heart a unique love for Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his Companions.

SOWING THE SEEDS

Edirne, Kırklareli 1959–1966

After completing his studies under some of the leading scholars of the time, he began preaching at a young age. His sincere faith, enthusiasm, and oratory skills during his tenure at some of the major mosques in Edirne gave rise to a considerable number of people inspired by him. In Edirne, Gülen was assigned to preach at Üç Şerefeli Mosque, one of the oldest monuments of the city. During his service there, he withdrew himself to the mosque, choosing an ascetic lifestyle. He lived in one of the window nooks of the mosque for about two-and-a-half years, with no heat or electricity.

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS

Izmir, 1966–1980

In 1966, he was assigned as the director of a Qur’anic school in Izmir, the third largest city of Turkey. He organized the first summer camps, aiming to provide the youth with a learning environment immersed in the heart of nature, filled with prayers and contemplation. Following the military memorandum of March 1971, he was arrested during a crackdown against hundreds of others, simply for reading a particular Qur’anic commentary: The Risale-i Nur by Bediüzzaman Said Nursi. He was released after six months and returned to service as itinerant preacher in the Aegean provinces of Turkey. In his sermons, he addressed scientific topics and the social issues of the time. His convincing arguments drew many college students and academics to his speeches, and over time, a large following emerged. During this time, he successfully brought together philanthropists to open houses and dormitories for students who could not afford accommodation. These facilities were designed to provide a safe haven at a time when the country was engulfed in anarchy and college campuses resembled battlegrounds.

FLOURISHING

Istanbul, 1980–1999

When Turkey was interrupted by another military coup in September 1980, Gülen retreated into solitude for nearly six years. It was time of melancholy and loneliness for him. While avoiding the military junta until 1986, when charges against him were dropped, he continued to build the community. He focused on teaching his students and urged philanthropists to build schools in every town where they could afford it. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he called on his community to build bridges with the emerging nations of Central Asia by establishing educational and economic ties. This outreach expanded to the Balkans, Africa, and other regions of the world throughout the 1990s.

In 1994, Gülen started the Journalists and Writers Foundation and launched an unprecedented “dialogue” initiative to unite intellectuals and community leaders in seeking common ground and solutions to pressing and polarizing social issues. As a part of this outreach, he met with prominent figures from various faith traditions, including Greek Patriarch Bartholomew I, Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, and Pope John Paul II.

HIZMET GLOBAL

America, 1999 –

In the late 1990s, Turkey entered what is often referred to as a “postmodern coup.” Unlike the coups that took place before, the Turkish military did not take over the government directly but instead implemented policies aimed at curbing religious expression in society. On February 28, 1997, the military issued a memorandum that led to the Prime Minister’s resignation and the collapse of the government. This period saw heightened restrictions on wearing headscarves in schools and government offices, a lowering of the GPA factor for religious school graduates in college admissions, increased pressure on businesses associated with religious groups, and threats of “treason” charges against prominent figures. Among those targeted was Fethullah Gülen, who was forced to leave Turkey. In March 1999, he moved to Pennsylvania, USA. Although he was acquitted of all charges in 2008, Gülen chose not to return to his beloved country—a decision that later events would affirm as prudent.

From his base in Pennsylvania, Gülen continued to guide the Hizmet movement through his sermons and writings, fostering dialogue and understanding worldwide. His efforts earned him numerous accolades, including being named among “The World’s Top 20 Public Intellectuals” by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines in 2008, receiving the EastWest Institute’s 2011 Peace Building Award, the Manhae Grand Prize in the peace category in 2013, and being listed in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world leaders list in 2013. He was also honored with the Gandhi King Ikeda Peace Award in 2015.

By the time of his passing on October 20, 2024, Gülen’s message of education, dialogue, and service had reached 170 countries through schools and relief initiatives, inspiring countless individuals across nations and faith traditions.

“Indeed, those who are Allah’s friends (those who are God’s beloved), they do not fear, and they do not grieve.” (Yunus 10:62)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says, an alim (scholar) who is genuinely devoted to this religion, is an heir of the Prophet.

In recent months, many significant events have taken place around the world. Among them is the profound loss this ummah (community) has experienced with the passing of one of its great scholars—a great reformer, renewer of the faith, and Mujaddid, who gave this religion new life during times of weakness. I speak of the great Ustad Sheikh Fethullah Gülen, who left this world on October 20^th. Who could have thought that this Imam, born into a poor family and without attending the world’s prominent and powerful institutions, could inspire such a transformative reform in Muslim society and the broader Muslim community?

Humanity will continue to uncover the depth of his contributions, whether in education, interfaith relations, fostering global peace and harmony, or his unwavering service to humanity. There is scarcely an area of human life untouched by the impact of his remarkable efforts.

In the modern age, we often evaluate issues through a worldly lens, seldom delving into their spiritual roots and foundations. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) was the greatest reformer in human history, and his life encompasses numerous profound dimensions. We highlight his role as a teacher, as he himself said, “I am sent as a teacher to you.” We reflect on his justice, his excellence as a judge, his courage, and how great he was as a husband. So, we study every dimension of his life. Yet, we must never forget that the foundation of every action and role of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) does not stem from acquired skills as we understand them, but from his Nubuwwah, his Prophethood. He was guided directly by Allah, and his heart served as a reservoir of divine knowledge, bestowed upon him by God Himself—knowledge that cannot be attained through human effort or any worldly institutions. Similarly, the great scholars in the history of Islam—such as Imam Ghazali, Sayyidina Abdul Qadir al-Jilani, Imam Abu Hanifah, and in our age, I would say, Sheikh Gülen—are figures whose success and efforts cannot be fully understood from a purely material perspective. Their achievements cannot be attributed solely to careful planning, intelligence, or skillful management of situations. Instead, the root of their success lies in their status as beloved servants of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). They are endowed with an inner light and spirituality, which serve as the foundation of every action they undertake.

In the Qur’an, we are reminded that the path to salvation and blessings is the one followed by those who have been favored. In Surah Al-Fatihah, we ask to be guided to the straight path. Every day, through our prayers, we repeatedly seek guidance to the way of righteousness—the path that leads to Paradise and salvation. The response to this prayer teaches us that the straight path is the one walked by those who have received divine blessings. The straight path is not defined by simply reading a specific book or attending a particular school. Instead, it is the path where the blessed people are found. At the top of this group are the Anbiya—the Prophets—who were directly guided by the Divine. However, it extends beyond them. As the Qur’an explains, these blessed ones include the Prophets, the Siddiqeen (the truthful), those who have done the ultimate sacrifice, and the pious. Many individuals fall into this category, and it is crucial for us to seek guidance from those truly blessed.

In Sahih Muslim, Imam Muslim emphasizes the importance of knowing that your religion is correct. It’s not biology, mathematics, or archaeology—it is your deen, your faith, upon which your salvation in the hereafter depends. “Be extremely careful from whom you get your religion,” he advises. Who is that person? The source of your religion and guidance must be someone who truly falls into the category of the blessed. These individuals represent the true path.

Whenever the religion of Islam declines, and the ummah (Muslim community) suffers from weakness, darkness, and doubt, unsure of the direction to take, these blessed people rise to guide us. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Every 100 years, Allah will raise someone to renew this deen,” ensuring that it does not weaken or lose its vitality.

Consider post-World War Turkey: the Ottoman Empire had collapsed, its territories divided, the Muslim world totally occupied, and Turkey itself faced constant external threats while struggling to maintain its integrity. At the same time, an internal revolt against religion arose, with atheism, secularism, communism, and disbelief attacking Islam from all sides. In such an environment, a rational observer—like one of us teaching in universities—might simply give up, overwhelmed by the forces aligned against them. They would see the battle as lost, believing there was nothing left to be done.

But Allah raises individuals like Sheikh Fethullah Gülen, who find ways to renew Islam in the most challenging circumstances, such as the decline of the Ottoman Empire. This aligns with the Prophet’s teaching (peace and blessings be upon him): “Be very careful of a believer’s insight, for he sees with the light of Allah.” What such individuals perceive often escapes the understanding of ordinary people, leading us to wonder, “How is this even possible?”

Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) built the Ka’ba in a barren desert, a place without water, population, or a city—far from the caravans and bustling trade routes. Rational minds might question his decision: “O Ibrahim, why not build the Ka’ba in a thriving city where people can worship? Why choose this desolate, barren land?” But the vision of God’s people is different.

They perceive and understand through the divine light Allah (SWT) places in their hearts. As Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) said, “I have placed my family in this barren, desolate land, but You, O Allah, can draw the hearts of people to this place.” And indeed, we witness how the hearts of people from all over the world are drawn to it.

Imam Ali Zainul Abidin, in his prayers, says: “Oh our Lord, we did not seek power, but You have turned the hearts of people toward us. They come to us with love, obey us, and seek to accept our guidance.” Here, the source of power, knowledge, and wisdom is entirely different from our usual mental, rational, and intellectual calculations. While we tend to measure everything—profit and loss, the alignment of worldly forces, and where they are absent—this divine guidance operates on a plane beyond human calculation.

Such individuals are truly a gift to humanity from God. They are His beloved. Just as humanity has not forgotten Imam Ghazali or Sayyidina Abdul Qadir al-Jilani, it will never forget Sayyidina Imam Hussein. From a worldly perspective, Hussein was mercilessly killed along with his family on the battlefield of Karbala. Yet, whose name remains as the embodiment of the Prophet’s message? It is Imam Hussein. Worldly powers may come and go, but it is these blessed individuals who endure in the love and remembrance of Allah and humanity.

There is a widely agreed-upon hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that when Allah loves one of His servants, He calls Gabriel and says, “Oh Gabriel, such-and-such person is My beloved. I love them, so you should also love them.” Then He commands, “Announce this in the Kingdom of the Heavens and let all the angels know that such-and-such person is beloved by Allah.” The Prophet added, “When this love is established in the Heavens, it is also established on Earth.” This is why, no matter what humanity does, it cannot eliminate this love or remove it from the hearts of people.

When God’s beloved people take on a mission, it brings blessings and barakah. Those who join such movements or struggles, even if they fall short in their own character or deeds, still become recipients of that blessing. Simply being in the company of the right people and part of the right mission brings Allah’s mercy and favor. When we attach ourselves to those whom God has blessed, love and respect them, and contribute to the mission they have undertaken to the best of our ability, God blesses our lives as well, bringing barakah (an abundance of blessings) into them. We hope that, through His mercy and the barakah of these great individuals, we too will find salvation.

I was fortunate to visit Sheikh Fethullah Gülen about a year ago. When I saw the room where he was living in Pennsylvania, I noticed he had nothing in his room—just a bed, an ordinary bed, and a couple of simple items. And I thought to myself, this is the man who has inspired hundreds, even thousands, of people all over the world to establish schools, hospitals, welfare centers, and universities, and yet he himself lives so simply. He has absolutely nothing, seeking nothing from this world. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The legacy of the Prophets is that they leave nothing worldly behind; their legacy is knowledge.” Sheikh Gülen embodied this perfectly. He took nothing from this world—absolutely nothing—but gave so much to it. It teaches us not to seek for ourselves but to give to humanity, to work for the welfare of others. And we hope and pray that, through the blessings of such individuals, Allah will bring us salvation.

His love, his compassion, his view of a world that was inclusive, that was one that listened, that heard the heartbeat of the One who brings us all together, was clearly seen and heard through you.

I truly believe a great soul has passed. When a great soul passes, it is then the legacy is released. If I felt the power of his message of love, compassion, and the call for justice, how much more will the world feel it now? In this, I take consolation. In this, I hope, you, too, will take consolation that the work that he began has truly only now just begun; that his light will burn brighter with each day through you, as you live out that legacy; through all of us, as we live out that legacy of hope and light. May we take consolation in that. May we take courage in that.

May we be one in the love that we share, and in the light he shined so brightly, and in the source of that light.

“Several years ago, I became acquainted with a Turkish-originated movement that sponsored interfaith dialogue. The members of the group, most of whom are Turkish, are also Muslims. I later discovered that this group was part of a movement known as Hizmet, which is Turkish for service. I’ve come to know and respect the members of this movement, at least those whom I’ve encountered. They are faithful Muslims who embrace service to others and interfaith dialogue and partnerships. Since these are core values for me as a person, it seemed appropriate to build on the relationships that were developing.”

The above quote was gleaned from a book titled Fethullah Gülen: A Life of Hizmet written by Jon Pahl, a Professor of the History of Christianity. Jon Pahl indeed captured the life of Fethullah Gülen, the man whose ideology inspired millions across the world in what is known as the Hizmet Movement. Hizmet Movement is an international social movement of moderate Muslims committed to fostering peaceful interactions, humanitarian social responsibility, and human development through educational, media, dialogue, and service initiatives.

Fethullah Gülen was a Muslim intellectual, thinker, and religious scholar. He grew up in a very religious environment. His first teachers were his parents. He was loved by many for his understanding of Islam. He believed that “love is the strongest and most powerful weapon in the universe”. In his teachings, he preached tolerance, dialogue, and intercultural and interfaith relations. These formed the cardinal objective of the Hizmet movement and explain why it can inspire a generation of moderate Muslims to impact the world through service to humanity. 

For Fethullah Gülen, “A person is truly a human if he or she learns, teaches, and inspires others. It is difficult to regard as truly human, someone who is ignorant and has no desire to learn.” He encouraged his followers to build schools if they had the means. It signified the beginning of the Gülen schools’ concept, a nomenclature by which schools were christened around the globe, and whose founders were inspired by the teachings of Fethullah Gülen. To date, these schools run independently.

The onslaught against the Hizmet Movement was massive. In some instances, Hizmet movement volunteers outside the shores of Turkey were kidnapped and extradited to Turkey on the orders of the Turkish government. Recently in Kenya, four Turkish citizens were kidnapped and extradited to Turkey to face persecution. In Nigeria, the Turkish government made several requests, which were rebuffed by the authorities for lacking in merit.

Fethullah Gülen was called Hocaefendi (revered master) by millions around the globe in service to humanity. He died at the age of 83 [sic] due to age-related illnesses. He passed a fulfilled patriarch and left a legacy of love, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. He authored many books that touched on the understanding of Islam. One of them is Toward a Global Civilisation of Love and Tolerance translated in 30 major languages in the world. In the book, he advocated for “greater awareness to Muslims that Islam teaches the need for dialogue and that Muslims are called to be agents and witnesses to God’s universal mercy. He also highlighted the need for non-Muslims to move beyond prejudice, suspicion, and half-truths to arrive at an understanding of what Islam is really about.”

Fethullah Gülen was not a terrorist until he breathed his last on 20 October 2024. The Turkish government could not prove it. In 2008, he topped the Top 100 Public Intellectuals Poll and came out as the most influential thinker. In an essay by Ehsan Masood thereafter, he argued “Is it possible to be a true religious believer and at the same time enjoy good relations with people of other faiths or none? The author stated that “millions of people inside and outside Turkey have been inspired by Gülen’s more than 60 books and the tapes and videos of his talks.”

The death of Fethullah Gülen was aptly captured by Tushar Arun Gandhi, an Indian author and great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. “Rest in Peace Fethullah Gülen in exile from his beloved country. Another voice of peace muted, a great loss to humanity.” Indeed, the death of Fethullah Gülen is a great loss to humanity. I say this because I have researched extensively on the Hizmet Movement in the aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey in 2016. My research findings were in tandem with the tributes that have poured in torrents after his death.

Some have asked questions about the survival of the Hizmet Movement after the death of Fethullah Gülen. Can his legacies be sustained? My research findings indicate that the Hizmet Movement outlived Fethullah Gülen many years ago. The movement was not about him. It was about service to humanity. And his life was for the benefit of humanity.

Adieu Hocaefendi, yours was a life of service, and posterity would be kind to you.

First published in its original version in Leadership, Nigeria, October 30, 2024.

Today, I would rather be remembering Mr. Gülen as the figure behind – and I say this sincerely with no intention of exaggerating – the greatest story of our times which few know about, a story of hope and true efforts of peacebuilding impacting the entire world. Mr. Gülen, through his teachings and life’s work, inspired what’s known today as the Hizmet Movement, a social movement that, while rooted in the Islamic faith, calls ALL to serve ALL. The word hizmet is Turkish for service. This call to service is an invitation to participate in the creation of a peaceful society, cohesive in all its diversity, where our shared values, those same values found in all major faiths and the foundations of our secular laws, are upheld.

Fethullah Gülen was born in Erzurum, eastern Turkey, in 1938. By the late 1960’s and early 70’s, Mr. Gülen’s teaching were inspiring young and old who felt that their faith was separated from the reality of their lives, that their spiritual beliefs and needs were not compatible with modern life. What people heard, some in sermons at a mosque, many in gatherings at local cafés, was that Islam, and for that matter all major faiths, requires for us to actively participate in life, to care for others, to embrace knowledge and science as divine gifts, to see education as fundamental to understanding the mysteries of the universe and our fellow human beings, and ultimately to build a better world for all. For those who believe, faith is their fuel and hizmet is done for the sake and pleasure of the Creator; but for those whose trust might be elsewhere, motivation can still be found in social wellbeing and the common good.

The Hizmet Movement brilliantly focused its efforts in three grand areas. First and foremost, education, nourishing hearts and minds as the foundation for any positive developments, especially in today’s diverse and multicultural societies. By now, the Hizmet Movement has spread globally to almost all countries in the world, establishing some of the most reputable academic institutions from elementary to universities, gifting the world with a few generations of highly prepared professionals and intellectuals who were also exposed to the ethics and philosophy of caring of their teachers. Charity and relief for those in need has been another area of constant activities. Every major natural disaster in the past decades has seen the immediate helping hand of Hizmet institutions and volunteers, from the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and the one in Nepal in 2015, or hurricanes Katrina and Sandy in the USA, to the outpouring of aid sent to the victims of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey (despite the relentless persecution of the movement there). Added to these actions are a myriad of ongoing global relief campaigns addressing poverty, health, access to clean water, refugees, and more. Fethullah Gülen also set an example by extending his goodwill to other faiths, pointing at common grounds and celebrating our shared values. Today, Hizmet institutions and individuals in cities all around the world are connectors and promoters of intercultural dialogue, bringing together and providing a space for religious leaders, public officials, and the community at large to know each other and work together in building a better society. This commitment and tireless efforts have improved the individual lives of millions in countless communities that today are thankful to have a Hizmet participant as a neighbor.

As an image maker, photography has always been a way and an excuse to learn about something that interest me. In 2016, after encountering this “Hizmet” and curious about it, I embarked on a visual photographic project aiming at understanding what this movement is and its international character. For a long time, I restrained myself from meeting Mr. Gülen. I know how impactful charismatic figures could be. Even if one is not too impressionable, some individuals are still able to attract the attention and admiration of so many. When I was in middle school, Pope John Paul II visited the Dominican Republic and I will never forget the feeling of joy at seeing him from a distance. On another occasion, as a young photo-assistant, I remember a great sense of respect while shaking hands with Kofi Annan during a photoshoot in his office at the United Nations. And just the other day and by chance, exchanging smiles and saying hello to Sting as we crossed paths while walking in Central Park became the highlight of the day. (These things happen!) Recently, I met Hocaefendi Fethullah Gülen.

By then I had seen and experience much of what Hizmet is, and I felt that meeting him was not going to affect my views on the movement. It took a couple tries, his health was already deteriorating and most times receiving visitors was a major effort for him. When I was finally in his presence, to my own surprise, I had no questions for him. I was left with a thought that day. And today as his passing is announced that thought comes back to mind: was Hizmet a reflection of him or did he make himself throughout his life into the idea of Hizmet? He signaled for me to come closer and offered me tea and some chocolates. Someone translated to him in Turkish what I have been doing and passed to him a small box with 10 pictures from the project. He nodded and said thank you. (I lament he will not see the final work.) I did ask him if I could take his picture. He said, “I am not important. Hizmet is all you have already seen, but if you think this can help in any way, I will do as you ask.”

Even more striking for me was connecting with Germans of Turkish ancestry, which began some 30 years ago. I met them in Berlin and across Germany during my lecture tours. Everywhere I gathered the same impression: a fully occupied auditorium, dozens of volunteers, and open, eager faces all expressing the same message: I want to be part of this society, and I want to learn! These gatherings also meant starting the day with a hearty breakfast and ending it with an opulent meal.

I dare say that no other migrant group has such a successful story of education and integration as the supporters and friends of Fethullah Gülen. Within three generations, many have reached—and often even surpassed—the educational level of German society.

I am myself a descendent of migrants who, for religious reasons, had to leave their homeland. I therefore know what is going on in the hearts of those who cannot see their parents and relatives in Turkey. For them, Fethullah Gülen was a source of strength and hope, much like John Paul II was for Poland during times of turmoil and trouble. Here again faith played an important role!

We know from many sources that Fethullah Gülen had a gift for inspiring many people. They listened to him, they followed him and spread his sermons. Thanks to the ongoing technological revolution, he was able to reach millions around the world. I witnessed his impact firsthand as I met people who responded to his call for education—across Asia, America, Africa, and throughout Europe.

The memory of Fethullah Gülen will endure, the schools of the Hizmet movement will stand as lasting evidence of a faith capable of moving mountains. Farewell, Fethullah Gülen!

Gülen was considered a moderate but powerful philosopher and religious thinker. He was one of the first Islamic leaders to condemn the Sept. 11 attack against the United States. And he saw the teachings of Islam as promoting peace and self-sacrifice, not extremism and terrorism.

Gülen advocated for education as the best way to lift people from poverty and to spur economic development in some of the poorest nations on the earth.

The Hizmet movement is renowned for founding schools, colleges and universities, as wells as health clinics, and for providing relief in emergencies. Their influence has been felt in an estimated 180 countries throughout Africa, Central Asia, Europe, and even in the United States.

Gülen was so respected for his promotion of interfaith dialogue, Pope John Paul II met with him personally in 1998. And his philosophy of global service, respect for diverse faiths and cultures as well as his personal piety has inspired millions of people, including many who are now residents of Pennsylvania and will continue his work.

His followers say Gülen was focused in his last years on ensuring his movement would continue even after his death. They say they will not give up on Gülen ‘s vision of a world where mutual respect, religious tolerance and peace will put an end to hatred, suffering, and war.

May it be so. And may Fetullah Gülen rest in peace.

I am an American Jewish leader who has devoted the last 20 years to strengthening Muslim-Jewish communication and cooperation in the U.S. and around the world. In that pursuit, I have interacted with inspirational leaders of the Hizmet movement in Washington, New York, Denver, Los Angeles and other cities. In all these places and more, I have had the privilege of organizing wonderful dialogue and service events with Hizmet, through its various branches including Rumi Forum, Peace Islands, and Pacifica; events that have served to enhance Muslim-Jewish relations in those cities. Rumi Forum is a close ally of JAMAAT (Jews and Muslims and Allies Acting Together), a grass roots interfaith body in the Washington area dedicated to voicing our shared support for pluralism, democracy and religious freedom and opposition to bigotry, and its superb representatives, Ibrahim Anli and Vedat Samur, have served fruitfully on our Board.

Even in difficult periods, such as the past year, when Muslim-Jewish relations have been buffeted by the terrible Israel-Gaza conflict, leaders of Hizmet around the U.S. have continued to strengthen ties of friendship and trust with the Jewish community. For them, there is no turning back from Gülen’s vision of interfaith harmony as an essential element of a peaceful and humane world. Based on my interactions with Hizmet leaders over two decades, I can only conclude that Fethullah Gülen was a great spiritual leader whose influence will continue to expand exponentially for decades and centuries to come through the beautiful movement he built. There can be no more precious legacy for the long run.

After graduating from university in 1966 and seeking a mental and physical break from studying, part-time work, and the pressures of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, I was invited in 1967 to serve in the Peace Corps in Senegal—a country in West Africa. I joined the Rural Animation Development Program under the direction of its minister, the Honorable Ben Mady Cisse. My post was N’gabou, a village in the Region of Diourbel, home to about two hundred ethnic Wolof and Wolofized Serrer nationals.

My responsibilities included organizing the construction of latrines, assisting in digging wells, preparing health-focused events, and lecturing at high schools about “the stolen ones”—African Americans, the only involuntary immigrants to America. It was an extraordinarily successful and deeply gratifying “political” program of service. However, the Senegalese provided the life-giving service to me by introducing me to Islam.

Deciding to return home in 1969 to attend graduate school allowed me the opportunity to read about and study Islam, as there were no libraries or bookstores available “in the bush” or village where I had been living. In 1970, I relocated from California to Boston, MA, to pursue an advanced degree and began working at the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) under the direction of the late Brother Herman 2X Harrell, later known as Herman Ahmed. He was one of the most pleasant-natured individuals I had ever met—may Allah be pleased with him.

Several months later he invited me to a “Night With the FOI” (Fruit of Islam – the Brothers’ class of the Nation of Islam/NOI) where they performed a karate exhibition, had skits and other activities centered around service.

The NOI provided for the health and safety of the African American communities throughout the United States. The NOI was founded in the early 1930s by a mystic from the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and the Honorable Sister Clara Muhammad. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught that the Nation of Islam aimed to provide the so-called Negro with self-knowledge and, through the principles of Islam, to uplift and prepare them to embrace the faith fully. He often stated that one would come after him to guide the community into mainstream Islam.

Under a strict moral code and the motto “Do for Self,” the NOI fostered discipline and entrepreneurship. Across the United States, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, the movement inspired its members to build a self-reliant economy. This included publishing their own newspaper, establishing a bank, owning clothing stores and factories to produce garments for Muslim women, operating restaurants, founding 45 schools and a junior college in Washington, D.C., and running numerous private businesses. The NOI also brokered a deal to import fish from Latin America and managed contracts for halfway houses for individuals transitioning out of prison.

One of its most globally recognized figures, Muhammad Ali, further elevated the NOI’s profile by engaging in historic boxing matches like “The Thriller in Manila” and “The Rumble in the Jungle,” contributing to international economies while inspiring countless individuals.

These efforts dignified a community that had previously been taught to despise itself and had been loathed by others. This foundation paved the way for the NOI’s second leader, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (raa – may Allah be pleased with him) who eventually taught the Deen – Islam. After the passing of his father, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, in 1975, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (raa) transitioned the NOI to mainstream Islam, giving the shahada to four million Muslims. May Allah forgive their sins and grant them Paradise. He taught us, the “Associates of Imam Mohammed (raa),” to believe in the Creator of the heavens and the earth and to serve humanity by working toward positive solutions to global challenges. He emphasized that we are living in a time of religion and inspired his followers to help “remake the world.”

A decade and a half ago, Professor Naeem Nash, one of Imam Mohammed’s (raa) Associates, introduced me to Brother Savaş Öztürk, the founder of the Compassion Action Foundation. This foundation was established for “charitable, cultural, educational, and religious purposes,” aiming to “assist humanity in developing positive solutions to our problems” and to “remake the world.” Additionally, Brother Öztürk’s foundation is affiliated with the Fethullah Gülen (raa) Hizmet Movement.

The global Hizmet Movement and the Associates of Imam Mohammed (raa) embody the teachings of Surah Al-Hujurat in the Holy Qur’an: “We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another.” Serving humanity for the sake of Allah brings continuous happiness and strength, rewarded by our Creator’s boundless blessings.

In the spirit of our teachers – Warith Deen Mohammed (raa) and Fethullah Gülen (raa) – let us commit to working harder to assist and serve humanity, for humankind needs positive solutions to serious contemporary problems to remake the world.

Jon A. Yasin, PhD, EdD

President, Sister Clara Muhammad Memorial Education Foundation

Professor Emeritus, Bergen Community College

Fethullah Gülen’s Hizmet movement emphasized education as a core service, establishing thousands of schools globally over the past half-century. Turkish teachers embarked on a journey of hijrah (migration), leaving their comforts behind, mirroring a self-imposed exile. This voluntary migration allowed them to spread knowledge; but the 2016 Turkish coup d’état dramatically altered their circumstances. Many Hizmet-affiliated individuals were forced into exile, fleeing persecution. This involuntary hijrah transformed their experience, making them strangers (ghuraba’) in this world.

The concept of ghurbah (exile/estrangement) signifies physical and spiritual separation from one’s homeland, family and God. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Be in this world as though you are a stranger (gharīb).” This spiritual estrangement reminds us of our temporary presence in this world; our feeling of alienation, and longingness to return to God.

The Qur’an reminds believers: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” (Qur’an 2:155). Hizmet members exemplified this patience amidst separation from their family and homeland; forced into a state of ghurbah. Despite physical separation, Hizmet members find solace in their faith in Divine Destiny, enduring alienation with patience. Ghurbah becomes spiritually transformative, embracing ethical, psychological and spiritual dimensions. Ethically, they cultivate resilience, moral courage and compassion; psychologically, they cope with isolation, nostalgia and disconnection; and spiritually, they long for reunion with God, echoing Rumi’s reed metaphor.

In the context of hijrah, Turkish teachers experience ghurbah as a deep sense of estrangement, adapting to foreign cultures, languages, and environments. But now that they are forced into exile, their sense of isolation and alienation have intensified, making their continued service a remarkable display of commitment and perseverance. 

Ghurbah is connected with hijrah (migration). Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) journey from Mecca to Medina inspires Turkish teachers to undertake migrations. Exile intensifies their feelings of isolation, yet they continue serving, demonstrating commitment and perseverance in the footsteps of their Hocaefendi. Through this lens, the movement’s concept of ghurbah, originally denoted the selfless sacrifices of teachers leaving their homeland to educate others globally, but since their forced displacement, ghurbah has taken on a deeper psycho-spiritual significance. In turbulent times, ghurbah emerges as a pillar of ethical strength, guiding individuals toward spiritual growth. Through Hizmet’s lens, we witness the transformative power of embracing estrangement, cultivating inner strength and upholding compassion, justice and wisdom.