Fethullah Gulen Statement on Nigeria Abductions

NEW YORK, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The senseless kidnappings of hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria are deplorable and heartbreaking. I condemn these actions unequivocally and call upon the perpetrators of these acts to immediately release the schoolgirls. 

Education is a fundamental human right, which is guaranteed for women and men by Islam. Any interpretations to the contrary are fallacious and tend to serve either individual or political interests. In fact, in the years during and after Prophet Mohammed's lifetime (PBUH), women played significant roles in society, contributing as jurists, teachers, and entrepreneurs.

I have always believed that education, for both boys and girls, is the most powerful tool to help them realize their potential, foster core values such as respecting every human and the rule of law, and build characters that are endowed with these values. Education also serves as an antidote against ignorance, which is the source of so many social problems. The senseless abductions in Nigeria violate the human rights of those girls and their families, and highlight the need to promote wholesome education that fosters respect for such rights and freedoms.

I am praying for the families of the victims and for the people of Nigeria. 

About Fethullah Gulen 

Fethullah Gulen is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades-long commitment to interfaith tolerance and altruism has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Recognized by TIME magazine in 2013 as one 100 most influential people in the world for "preaching a message of tolerance that has won him admirers around the world," Gulen has reinterpreted aspects of Islamic tradition to meet the needs of contemporary Muslims. He has dedicated his life to interfaith and intercultural dialogue, community service and providing access to education. 

About Alliance for Shared Values

Alliance for Shared Values is a non-profit organization that serves as a voice for civic organizations affiliated with the Hizmet movement in the U.S. (also known as Gulen movement). The Alliance serves as a central source of information on Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet. For more information, please visit www.afsv.org.

SOURCE Alliance for Shared Values