Excerpt from:

Interview with Dr. Jill Carroll, Rice University

By  Tarek M. Ezzat

  Dr. Jill Carroll, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University (USA)

Following the International Conference held in Cairo from 19 to 21 October 2009 on "The Future of Reform in The Muslim World: Comparative Experiences with
Fethullah Gulen's Movement in Turkey", Dr. Jill Carroll, Adjunct Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University, who participated in this three day conference in Egypt, answered these questions from IslamOnline.net: IslamOnline.net (IOL): Thank you Dr. Carroll for taking the time of presenting your views as an American academic on the Gulen movement and its impact in the US, and around the world

IOL: How and when did you first hear of the Gulen Movement? Do you consider it today to be a well-known movement in the US?

Dr. Jill Carroll:   I first heard of the movement in December 2004 when I travelled to Turkey as a guest of the movement to visit several of the schools and the other NGO initiatives there.  It was an eye-opening trip and I was very impressed.  Upon my return, I began doing research on the movement to learn more. 

I have continued my involvement with them on interfaith initiatives, and have come to see that they are very visible in the U.S.  They have interfaith and dialogue initiatives in many cities (a few dozen) all over the country, as well as charter schools in various cities.

IOL: In addition to its focus on quality education, what do you consider is the main strength of the Gulen Movement in the area of reform for developing countries?

Carroll:  They are very focused on community building from a relational standpoint.  The schools succeed not merely because of a good curriculum, but because of the human element - the teachers and administrators who are utterly devoted to the students and who engage with the parents in a very personal way, the sponsors who fund the schools until they can stand on their own financially who are focused on building a stable institution within the community - all these things do more than simply "educate" students to do well in science and math (which is important in itself, to be sure).  The Gulen people go above and beyond to create a community institution that becomes the center of many good initiatives in the area.

The Gulen people will work with anyone who shares their basic vision for human improvement and community - people of all faiths and no faith  This is not only true for the schools.  NGOs focused on interfaith dialogue, intercultural exchange or business development do the same thing in many areas.  They want to build community relationships so that everyone is working together for positive outcomes for everyone - and they will work with anyone who shares this goal regardless of their faith, origin, lifestyle, whatever.   This is a crucial difference between the Gulen movement and many other organizations and groups.  The Gulen people will work with anyone who shares their basic vision for human improvement and community - people of all faiths and no faith, people of all different lifestyles and perspectives, people from all different backgrounds, etc.  It makes no difference to them.  Do you care about making a positive difference in the world?  Will you give of yourself - your time, resources and energy - to make a difference?  Are you willing to work with others as part of a team to accomplish this?  Do you believe in love, compassion, service, truth and integrity?  Are you trying to be the best person you can be, coming from a clean heart and pure intentions?  Do you look first at your own faults before looking at those of others?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, the Gulen community wants to work with you.  Period.  These are the most important things about you, from their perspective.


Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1256909576324&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout#ixzz0hG5S9oBf

Post Script

And one by one they fall.