Explore Quotes by Fethullah Gulen

I grew up in a humble family with a shy personality.

Under any circumstances, if I had to return to Turkey and face the gallows, I will not blink an eye.

Telling or encouraging people to vote for a party would be an insult to peoples' intellect.

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.

I have never imagined being or wished to be chosen as something important in the world.

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.

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.

It is possible that people who share core values will make choices along the same lines.

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.

We are mortals, we will die one day.

I have spent over 50 years preaching and teaching the values of peace, mutual respect and altruism.

I would curse people who resort to coups against democracy, liberty, republic.

Studying physics, mathematics, and chemistry is worshipping God.

Regardless of their religious observance, citizens can and should unite around universal human rights and freedoms, and democratically oppose those who violate them.

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.

Erdogan thinks if he gets rid of me, he thinks ending me will end the movement. He couldn't be more wrong.

I have always been against coups, and I cursed them.

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.

If I were to say anything to people I may say people should vote for those who are respectful to democracy, rule of law, who get on well with people.

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.