Born in Erzurum (Turkey) in 1941, Fethullah Gülen graduated in traditional Islamic studies, drawing in particular from the thoughts of the mystic and Islamic reformist Said Nursi and the Turkish mystics of the XIII century, Rumi and Yunus Emre. Imam and preacher in various mosques in Turkey, he saw the birth of a movement, Hizmet (service), around him which today is widespread both in Turkey and in the rest of the world, active in civil society, especially in the world of education, charity and economics. He is the author of over 60 books on Islam, Islamic mystical theology and interreligious dialogue. He has been living in the United States since 1999.
