27th of October 2024, Jerusalem
Dear friends of the Hizmet movement,
I join you in mourning the passing of Hocaefendi, known to the world as Fethullah Gülen. With deep respect and reverence, I share my impressions of his profound influence on those who have come to know him and have studied his works. Through this reflection, I hope to offer words of comfort and inspire hope as we look to the future.
As a rabbi dedicated to healing the relationship between Jews and Muslims, I have found in Gülen a leading light in this historic process. Gülen’s approach is deeply rooted in the Koran and Hadiths and goes beyond tolerating the “Other” as a blessing from God – each person is valued and seen through the divine perspective. These principles of humility and respect resonate deeply with my own tradition and personal mission.
Last year, I had the honor of visiting Gulen at his home. Although he was unwell, he graciously accepted my visit. I had brought with me a copy of the Torah translated into Arabic, symbolizing a bridge between the Torah and the language of the Quran. He picked up the Torah with joy, saying, “This will be the crown on my head.” It was a gesture reminiscent of the Hadith (Sunan Abu Dawud 40), in which Muhammad (pbuh) stood up to honor the Torah scroll brought to him, which was an expression of deep respect.
Later that day, one of his students presented me with a beautiful calligraphic rendering of a verse from the Book of Psalms, inspired by Gulen’s teachings. After all, the Qur’an recognizes the unique place of the Psalms among the holy books: “To David we gave the Book of Psalms” (Sura Al-Isra 17:55). The selected verse from Psalm 145:10 reads: “All your works shall praise you, O Lord, and your saints shall bless you.” This also strengthened the shared heritage of reverence and respect for the sacred texts and the universal worldview.
One of Gülens distinguishing features was his humility. Several decades ago, he made statements about Jews which he later regretted, recognizing them as mistakes or misinterpretations. In an interview with The Atlantic in 2013, he said: “During the interfaith process in the 1990s, I got to know people of faiths other than Islam, and since then I have reconsidered some of the statements I made in earlier periods. I honestly admit that I may have misunderstood some verses and prophetic sayings.” This openness to growth and change reflects the teaching of the Talmud in Berachot 34b, where the highest praise is reserved for those who are able to recognize their own mistakes and evolve.
When I met with Gülen, I had many questions regarding the status of Jews, Judaism and the Torah in Islam. These questions are at the core of my work as the director of the Ohr Torah Stone’s Blickle Institute for Interreligious Dialogue. In our shared history, I believe it is God’s will that Jews and Muslims, in mutual respect and brotherhood, fulfill Zephaniah 3:9’s vision: that humanity, united, will call on the name of God and serve together. I was advised to send my questions in writing and received a comprehensive, respectful response on October 4, 2023, just three days before the horrific events of October 7 that sparked the ongoing violence in the Middle East. I believe this document will be a historic testimony to our shared values and aspirations.
Religion is often cited as a cause of conflict, but it must also be part of the solution. Our religious identities, instead of dividing us, should be a source of connection. That connection flourishes when we understand and feel that the God we worship is the same God loved and served by others.
In closing, I would like to share words of hope with the millions of followers of Hizmet. The letter “H” at the beginning of Hizmet has special meaning for me because I have experienced the virtues of hospitality, humility, hope, healing, heart, and humanity in this movement firsthand. I would add an additional “H” as a precedent for the way forward: Chabad.
Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement rooted in service and spiritual engagement, resonates with the ideals of Hizmet. Its last leader, Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, is remembered for his deep spirituality and vision. Although he passed away in 1994, his movement continued to grow, sustained by his ideas, messages and vision. In a similar way, Hizmet, inspired by Gulen’s teachings, has the potential to grow and continue to influence humanity by spreading its message of service and unity.
May the memory of Gülen be a blessing, and may Hizmet continue to bring blessings to the world.
RABBI DR. YAKOV NAGEN
