Panel:"Fethullah Gülen’s Legacy & the Hizmet Movement’s Forward Trajectory"

On the first anniversary of Fethullah Gülen’s passing, this special panel, hosted by the `s (CFIG), brings together two distinguished scholars—Dr. Ori Z. Soltes and Dr. Anwar Alam—to reflect on Gülen’s intellectual, spiritual, and social legacy, and to consider how the Hizmet Movement continues to evolve in today’s complex global landscape.

This in-person panel discussion, moderated by Lyndsey Eksili, will explore how Gülen’s philosophy of education, interfaith dialogue, and civic engagement continues to inspire new generations to pursue peace, pluralism, and service (“hizmet”) across borders.

Born in 1938 in Erzurum, Turkey, Fethullah Gülen emerged as one of the most influential Muslim thinkers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His vision of faith-inspired education and community service evolved into a global movement that built schools, universities, and charities in over 100 countries. While Gülen’s ideas inspired millions, they also provoked intense political controversy—especially after the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, which led to widespread persecution of those associated with the Movement.

As we mark a year since his passing, this panel invites reflection not only on Gülen’s enduring contributions but also on the path forward for the Hizmet Movement—its challenges, its hopes, and its place in shaping a more compassionate and pluralistic future.

, Ph.D., is Professorial Lecturer in Theology and Fine Arts at Georgetown University and former Director of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, where he curated over 80 exhibitions on a variety of subjects. He is the author of articles, exhibition catalogs, essays, and books on a range of topics, including Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw from the Same Source; The Ashen Rainbow: Essays on the Arts and the Holocaust; Christianity and Islam: Searching for Oneness; Tradition and Transformation: Three Millennia of Jewish Art and Architecture; Magic and Religion in the Greco-Roman World: The Beginnings of Judaism and Christianity; and God and the Goalposts: A Brief History of Sports, Religion, Politics, War, and Art.

He also wrote Embracing the World: Fethullah Gülen’s Thought & Its Relationship with Jelaluddin Rumi and Others (2013) and Between Thought and Action: An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gülen (2022).

, Ph.D., is currently a Professor with the Department of International Relations, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and a Distinguished Fellow with Policy Perspectives Foundation, New Delhi. Earlier he served as Full Professor of International Relations and Deputy Vice Chancellor at Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja; Full Professor at Department of International Studies, Zirve University, Gaziantep, Turkey, Professor and Director at Centre for West Asian Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, (New Delhi); Associate Professor at Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and Assistant Professor at Department of Political Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

Dr. Alam has authored more than 35 articles in national and international journals, in addition to two books, six edited books, one co-edited book, and 17 chapters in edited books, all related to the fields of West Asia, Indian politics, Indian foreign policy, Islamic movements, and Muslim Politics. His latest publications are For the Sake of Allah: The Origin, Development and Discourse of The Gülen Movement (2019) and The Disintegration of ISIS: Implications for Indian National Security (2023).

, Ed.D., is an experienced educator, writer, and advocate for holistic development and mental health. As the editorial director for Youth Titles at Tughra Books and a content editor for The Fountain Magazine, she combines nearly 20 years of educational leadership with her passion for creating meaningful, youth-focused content. She serves as the School Board President at Pinnacle Academy, contributes to the Early Childhood Development Task Force of Childhood Education International, and writes for and serves on the board of the Green Dome Foundation. Through her work, she champions early intervention, cultural understanding, and the intersection of faith and mental well-being.

Dr. Eksili holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Liberty University, as well as certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Clinical Trauma.

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