The principles and form of government that form the basis of democracy are compatible with Islamic values.
— Fethullah Gulen
Throughout my life, I have publicly and privately denounced military interventions in domestic politics. In fact, I have been advocating for democracy for decades.
I simply share ideas I believe in with people around me.
My core belief is to seek peace in the world, helping people eliminate certain malevolent attitudes through education as much as possible.
I have always believed in seeking happiness in the happiness of others and the virtue of seeking God's pleasure in helping His people.
I have spent over 50 years preaching and teaching the values of peace, mutual respect and altruism.
A Turkey under a dictatorial regime, providing haven to violent radicals and pushing its Kurdish citizens into desperation, would be a nightmare for Middle East security.
My message is, if someone beats you, act like you don't have hands. If someone slurs you, act like you don't have a tongue. Society is already polarized enough, don't make it worse.
The greater jihad is proclaiming war on our ego's destructive and negative emotions and thoughts... which prevent us from attaining perfection.
We are mortals, we will die one day.
I am neither a sociologist nor a psychologist, but you don't have to be one to see that Turkey is in a vortex of problems, isolated from the world.
I would curse people who resort to coups against democracy, liberty, republic.
I have always tried to be a humble servant of God and a humble member of humanity.
It is possible that people who share core values will make choices along the same lines.
I consider myself an ordinary Muslim who is constantly working to put himself in the framework established by the Koran and the tradition of the Prophet Mohammed. I study the works of experts of jurisprudence, Koranic commentary, hadith commentary, and Sufism.
I suffered during the military intervention of May 27, 1960, and then again on March 12, 1971 and again on September 12, 1980, and I was targeted February 28, 1997. My respect for the military aside, I have always been against interventions.
I feel the pain of people who suffer in my own neurons and sometimes cannot even watch TV. It is impossible not to be worried. But I trust that however cruel treatment they receive, Hizmet sympathizers will continue to respect to the law and will remain peaceful.
Savage people realize their aims through fighting, through conflict. Cultivated and intellectual souls believe that they will attain their aims through thought and discussion.
Entrepreneurs and volunteers inspired by Hizmet's values have invested in modern education and community service in more than 150 countries.
I've never sought to be known or recognized by people.
I have said time and again that the republican order, and secularism, when executed perfectly, are blessings from God.
Profiling any segment of society and viewing them as a threat is a sign of intolerance.
Erdogan's persecution of his people is not simply a domestic matter. The ongoing pursuit of civil society, journalists, academics and Kurds in Turkey is threatening the long-term stability of the country.
I probably will not live to see Turkey become an exemplary democracy, but I pray that the downward authoritarian drift can be stopped before it is too late.
Even if, at the helm of the country there are people who would like to replace me and suppress me and oppress me at the level of blood-sucking vampires, then I do not want to remove them with anti-democratic means. This is my attitude toward any and even the idea of the consideration of a military coup.
The lesser jihad is our active fulfillment of Islam's commands and duties.
Erdogan thinks if he gets rid of me, he thinks ending me will end the movement. He couldn't be more wrong.
My position on democracy is really clear. Any attempt to overthrow the country is a betrayal to our unity and is treason.
I cannot accept concepts such as Gulenism or Gulenist. I was only a writer and an official preacher among people. I can have no direct influence on any person or activity. It is inconceivable that I can exert pressure on anybody.
I have never imagined being or wished to be chosen as something important in the world.
When the opportunities come, Cemaat participants, just like any other citizen will make their choices based on their values.
The noble position of motherhood aside, our general opinion about women is that, while taking into account their specific needs, it should be made possible for them to take on every role, including the jobs of physician, military officer, judge and president of a country.
I don't see a bright future for Turkey. It pains me. But I have some hope, I pray for it to be better. It is a blessed country, a NATO member, and was an E.U. candidate. These were things we wanted.
Under any circumstances, if I had to return to Turkey and face the gallows, I will not blink an eye.
If somebody who appears to be a Hizmet sympathizer has been involved in an attempted coup, he betrays my ideals.
My philosophy - inclusive and pluralist Islam, dedicated to service to human beings from every faith - is antithetical to armed rebellion.
I don't have a need to promote myself.
No citizen or social group can be completely isolated from politics, because policy decisions and actions affect their lives.
Regardless of their religious observance, citizens can and should unite around universal human rights and freedoms, and democratically oppose those who violate them.
Turkey initiated true multiparty elections in 1950 to join NATO. As a requirement of its membership, NATO can and should demand that Turkey honor its commitment to the alliance's democratic norms.
Avoiding the physical sciences due to the fear that they will lead to heresy is childish.
I even reject and condemn in the strongest terms the idea, the consideration of a military coup. If I had the chance I would stand in front of the people who would attempt such a thing and open my arms and beg them to stop.
Studying physics, mathematics, and chemistry is worshipping God.
Turkey is a diverse country... I think that democracy is the ideal system for a country with a social foundation such as this. My view is based on my belief that everyone should be able to comfortably live what they believe, and this is only possible in a truly democratic environment. I am insistent in my views and I strongly believe in what I say.
I have always been against coups, and I cursed them.
Islam's basic principles of belief, worship, morality, and behavior are not affected by changing times. Islam does not propose a certain unchangeable form of government or attempt to shape it. Islam has never offered nor established a theocracy in its name.
We will never be a part of any plot against those who are governing our country.
In many places around the world, including Turkey until the 1950s, Muslims didn't have full freedom of religion. Even personal practice was not allowed, and they had to practice in secret.
I grew up in a humble family with a shy personality.
I think the United States is mindful of its reputation for its democracy and rule of law, and if they are willing to risk that reputation by extraditing me based on the request and claims made by Turkey, I would never say no. I would go willingly.
