The Journal of Political Thought in Islam

The Journal of Political Thought in Islam

The Evolution of Fathullah Gülens Political Discourse: Reflections on the ReligionSociety Nexus

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Theology and Islamic Studies, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The Gülen politicalsocial discourse emerged in the 1970s around the central signifier ofservice(hizmet) and gradually evolved into a transnational religioussocial movement. Within this discourse, service to society is articulated through concepts such as modern education, science, Islamic ethics, and intercultural dialogue, forming a coherent chain of equivalence. By synthesizing Islamic teachings with modern values, the Gülen discourse seeks to reconcile religious faith with scientific advancement while emphasizing pragmatism, social responsibility, and the active role of civil society. From the 1990s onward, the movement significantly expanded its educational, academic, and philanthropic activities beyond Turkey, extending its reach to Central Asia, Europe, the United States, and Africa.Employing Laclau and Mouffes discourse theory, this study examines the transformation of the Gülen discourse in the context of hegemonic crises and sustained political pressure, addressing how the discourse has undergone processes of change, contestation, and reconstruction over time. The findings demonstrate that, in response to power struggles and discursive exclusion, the Gülen discourse has strategically rearticulated its religious and cultural foundations. In contrast to the authoritarian discourse of the Erdoğan governmentcharacterized by a crisis of meaningthe movement has sought to maintain internal cohesion and diasporic legitimacy through the reconstruction of its discursive order and a renewed emphasis on service, education, and dialogue.
Keywords
Subjects

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