Fethullah Gülen's perception of state and society

Abstract

This study is an analysis of the discourse of Fethullah Gillen, who is the leader of an Islamic community in Turkey, with respect to his perception of state and society. The main problematic of my study is to understand to what extent Fethullah Giilen advocates separation of state and religious affairs. My theoretical perspective includes three conceptual tools: Secularization, Civil Society and Social Movements. In my theoretical perspective, secularity as a feature of the state requires separation of state and civil society, and existence of social movements that do not target seizing political authority. From that standpoint, first I have tried to show that the Fethullah Giilen Community could be considered a social movement distinct from a sect or religious order. Secondly, by referring to the pluralism tenet of the concept of civil society, I have tried to understand Giilen's perception of the 'other'.I have indicated that, because he interprets Islam through tradition and in accordance with the changing conditions of time and space, he welcomes plurality within society. Yet, two main problems have emerged: first, Giilen's negative attitude towards social movements that engage in any kind of protest against the state, and second, the ideal society envisaged by Gillen, which is based on consensus rather than compromise. These two problems render the compatibility of his interpretation of Islam and the concept of civil society problematic. Lastly, I have tried to understand to what extent Gillen contents with disseminating Islam through civil methods. I showed that political means are despised and are not advocated to disseminate Islam. Political transformation is regarded only as a natural result of a long process of cultural and ethical transformation of individuals. With regard to separation of state and religious affairs, I have inferred that Giilen does not reject it under the condition it remains neutFal and guaranties the free exercise of religions.