A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gulen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse

Jill Carroll promptly ties western humanistic scholarship to core Islamic values which are forgotten for over a century now. Featuring a contemporary scholar, Fethullah Gulen, in particular, this book establishes the missing connection between East and West of which the Muslim youth and intellectuals have been longing for. Especially the dialogue between him (devout Muslim scholar) and Sartre (atheist philosopher) on responsibility is very stimulative and intriguing since it brings a unique approach to the modern world of humanism.

Dr. Carroll's masterpiece has a broad perspective and praises Gulen and past philosophers for their emphasis on human value, democracy, and peace. The book truly deserves to be a valuable resource for upcoming literature regarding Gulen's movement. Ozgur Ozer Houston

In a time when "religion" is perceived as the origin of intercultural and inter-religious conflicts, Dr JILL Carol articulates in a concise and a coherent way how a devout Turkish Muslim scholar, Fethullah Gulen, can carry and convey the message of basic universal human values , such as, moral dignity, freedom, inherent human value, education and responsibility. She underlines remarkable similarities between the views of Gulen, and those of Confucius, Plato, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and Jean Paul Sartre. A smooth and enjoyable read. Not one of those scholarly written, tedious books which bore you after a couple of pages.

Dr. Jill Carroll's subject is Fethullah Gulen, the Sufi leader who has supplied the spiritual architecture for a civil movement rapidly changing the landscape of many countries. She situates Gulen within the broader humanistic discourse on key questions of liberty, tolerance, education and "the good." Dr. Carroll has a unique way of taking complicated questions and putting them on the bottom shelf so anyone can reach them. I know of no one more competent, more compassionate to guide us through these crucial questions.

The author finds resonances among the views of a prominent Turkish Muslim scholar and those of Confucius, Plato, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and Jean Paul Sartre on crucial themes such as inherent human value, moral dignity, freedom, education and responsibility. It is amazing to see those resonances among these significant figures who are seperated by oceans or continents in space and centuries in time. The author must especially be commended for her bringing into dialogue of a 20th century atheist French philosopher (Sartre) and a contemporary, very devout Muslim thinker on the issue of responsibility. A must read for those who do not buy into the thesis (prescription?) of the clash of civilizations. The foreword by Prof. Akbar Ahmed is a gem by itself.