Muslim World And Politics In Transition Creative Contributions Of The Gulen

By Greg Barton

Book Description

In an era of profound global transformation, the intersection of faith, politics, and social change presents both challenges and opportunities for spiritual communities worldwide. This scholarly exploration examines how the Gulen movement, inspired by Turkish Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen, offers a distinctive approach to navigating the complexities of modern democratic societies while maintaining deep spiritual roots.

The book reveals how this influential movement has developed a vision that bridges traditional Islamic values with contemporary concerns about democracy, multiculturalism, and interfaith understanding. Rather than retreating from secular modernity, the movement actively engages with it, seeking to create positive relationships between Western and Muslim societies through education and dialogue.

International scholars contribute their expertise to analyze how the Gulen movement positions itself within majority-Muslim societies, particularly during times of political transition. The examination extends beyond Turkey to explore the movement's global reach and its efforts to contribute constructively to democratic development in various cultural contexts.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual movements can engage meaningfully with political and social transformation, this work provides valuable insights into alternative approaches to faith-based civic participation. The analysis offers perspectives on how religious communities can maintain their spiritual identity while actively contributing to pluralistic societies and democratic progress.

The book serves as both an academic study and a window into contemporary Islamic thought's engagement with modernity's challenges.