Do the schools provide religious education, as well as secular education?
Fethullah Gülen gave his answer without hesitation:
In the schools religious education has not been provided. The courses of “Religious Culture” and “Ethical Knowledge” which are part of the curriculum used in the primary and secondary institutions has been studied. The number of hours in these schools and in the public schools is the same. Of course, these schools have adopted secular educational system and in the main they are following the same line as the basic principles of the Ministry of National Education. These schools, with their programs, superior technical capabilities and laboratories, have been established after the model of the familiar Anadolu Lisesi [public first class high schools]. These schools are operating in conformity with the legal regulations and educational philosophy of each respective country.[1]
Those who visit the Gülen schools in Turkey report that they have not seen female students with headscarves. On the other hand, Fethullah Gülen states that if the local customs and traditions require the girls to wear a headscarf, namely if the student is wearing the headscarf outside the school, then they are not interfered with in the school, either.
Religion in the Gülen schools is not seen as a vehicle consisting of certain symbols, in order to develop a consciousness for a regime based on the Shari’a, but as a source for a culture of solidarity and ethics inspired by the religion of Islam. This culture of solidarity, on an individual level, consists of the principles of respect, love, mutual help, and training for a common effort; at the social level, it consists of not going to extremes and extravagancy, not resorting to violence, tolerance for differences, becoming frugal by escaping the attractiveness of consumerism, and producing surplus value by investments.
Fethullah Gülen states that these values are inherent in the Islamic and Turkish national traditions as an essential part of Anatolia. Therefore they are easily accepted by society and by working on them, a “civil society initiative” can be achieved easily. This approach is very different from the political function that is given as a task by the state. According to him, this is “a civil mobilization”; it has neither a political feature nor a political aim. Fethullah Gülen sees religion as a system of values orienting humanity. He opposes that the religion be used as a source for a political agenda to rule a society. For this reason, he believes the relationship between religion and state should operate in parallel spheres, within the framework of the principle of “live and let live.” This notion is the source of modern philosophers’ and political scientists’ formulation, “secular society and religion respected by the state.” Therefore, the aim of opening these schools is not to establish another alternative system, opposed to the one in existence.
Fethullah Gülen remarks,
… Rather than one perspective, formal education, based on certain molds in these schools, I conjecture that an education, based on critical thinking and research, is provided. I would like to stress that we never conceive education as dressing the students in uniforms; on the contrary, individual differences are paid attention and a great importance is place on them, and I would like to express that these differences are even encouraged. However, we have to qualify that never because of the structure or regulations of the schools, but due to the circumstances of our time, today’s student is more interested in the physical sciences, he or she has a tendency toward that field. The student cannot find an opportunity and possibility to display the individual differences through art and literature. The reason for this is not the schools and the education they impart, but the circumstances dictated by this age. Nevertheless, when these students are contacted, I am sure; it can be observed that there are among them many different ideas, tastes, and shades of colors and tones in the fields of art and literature.[1]
[1] Exclusive answer delivered to Doğu Ergil.
[2] The interview given to Hakan Yavuz, Milliyet, 11 August 1997.
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