Fethullah Gulen Named in TIME Magazine’s “World's 100 Most Influential People” for 2013

“Gulen preaches a message of tolerance that has won him admirers around the world.”

Pacifica Institute  today celebrates Mr. Fethullah Gulen, an inspiration for many of our volunteers and donors, being named as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2013. TIME recognized Gulen for “preaching a message of tolerance that has won him admirers around the world.”

The 2013 “TIME 100” includes other noted world leaders such as President Obama and Pope Francis. In the past, TIME has honored global leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Pope Benedict XVI and Aung San Suu Kyi in TIME 100 lists. Last year, TIME’s honorees in education were Salman Khan and Cami Anderson.

Gulen is an Islamic scholar, writer and social advocate, who has reinterpreted aspects of Islamic tradition to meet the needs of contemporary Muslims. He is the inspiration behind Hizmet, a civil society initiative that advocates for the ideals of human rights, equal opportunity, democracy, non-violence and the emphatic acceptance of religious and cultural diversity. Hizmet brings to life these principles through the work of its participants in community service, intercultural dialogue and education.

Over the years, Hizmet volunteers have been involved in building schools, dormitories and tutoring centers, teaching college preparatory courses, mentoring students, and providing financial aid to those in need. With a focus on science, math, literature and multicultural understanding, its award-winning schools have been set up around the world in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including Indonesia, Congo, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, South Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

About Pacifica Institute

Pacifica Institute was established in 2003 as a non-profit organization by a group of Turkish-Americans. Pacifica Institute designs and executes projects covering social welfare, education, poverty, and conflict resolution issues in collaboration with scholars, activists, artists, politicians, and religious leaders-communities. The Pacifica Institute has a proven track record of working within and across communities. This work is planned and complemented through the input of the Board of Advisors, a distinguished group of individuals representing a wide range of expertise and experience.

Posted in: Dialogue, Fethullah Gulen, Hizmet Movement, Pacifica Institute, Time Magazine