In Pursuit of the Brightest Stars

Life is a journey in pursuit of the brightest stars. It is a treasure that some cherish, yet squandered by others who go after fireflies. The direction we choose is ours alone to make. Fethullah Gülen, the Islamic scholar, author, and poet, chose to seek the stars. And so has passed his life, continually seeking the brightest, and leading the masses in that direction.

Gülen once said, “Those who pursue high purposes and take action to accomplish them remain alive.” His entire life stands as a powerful testimony of his words.

“Those who hold the holy grail of hope in their hands should fashion the hearts of generations with lofty goals and guide them to the paths leading to the fountain of revival.”

Gülen urged tens of thousands to cherish this treasure of life, to live fully, and to breathe life into others, rather than squander their precious gift.

“Hizmet”—serving God through serving humankind—became Gülen’s guiding principle, derived from prophetic teachings as a blueprint for meeting the needs of our age. In the 1960s and 70s, his heartfelt sermons drew a growing nationwide following. What truly set him apart, however, was his emphasis on education and dialogue. “We must wed the mind with the heart,” Gülen said, encouraging scientific exploration of nature and the cosmos with a spirit of awe and wisdom, while also calling for self-discovery rooted in honest faith and practice.

Gülen’s teachings inspired Hizmet, a global educational movement whose volunteers established hundreds of schools worldwide. Through outreach programs, Hizmet connected with diverse communities of faith, culture, and race, proving that peaceful coexistence is always possible despite differences.

Gülen was famously known for his unwavering stance against violence, radicalism, and the exploitation of religion—especially Islam—for political gain. Despite his dedication to these values, he was seen as a threat by Turkey’s ruling elite and forced into exile, never to return. Like many luminaries before him, Gülen faced repercussions for the ideals he championed.

After a life dedicated to humanity, Gülen passed away in Pennsylvania, USA, on October 20, 2024. Despite spending 25 years in exile, his message of peaceful coexistence thrived globally. Following the footsteps of past scholarly giants, he taught until his final days, fostering dialogue across divides—secular and religious, East and West, science and faith. Now on the path to the stars and returned to the Beloved, his legacy continues to inspire coexistence and service—principles that shine brightly in today’s polarized world.

Fethullah Gülen’s articles, each a fruit of honest faith, deep thought, poetic refinement, and, yes, suffering, have shaped The Fountain since its inception in 1993. From the very first issue, we humbly tried our best to reflect his vision of dialogue among communities and his belief in the priceless value of every human being. We proudly cherish the badge of honor as the only English periodical with Gülen authoring its lead article. To demonstrate our commitment to continue his work, we present this special edition dedicated to Gülen’s legacy.

Featured in this issue are writers from around the world, with different faith traditions and nationalities, sharing how they were impacted by Gülen’s message, via a school, an iftar dinner, reading his books or The Fountain, or simply through a small act of kindness. We hope their reflections will serve as a testimony to how far and wide his message was welcomed globally and will continue to resonate in our hearts.

Fethullah Gülen, an influential Islamic scholar and author, dedicated his life to promoting education, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. His teachings inspired the global Hizmet movement, which established numerous schools worldwide and fostered cross-cultural communication. Despite facing opposition and exile, Gülen's unwavering commitment to non-violence and his emphasis on uniting scientific exploration with spiritual wisdom left a lasting impact. His legacy continues to resonate through his writings and the lives of those he inspired, emphasizing the pursuit of hope, service to humanity, and the power of love to overcome adversity.