November 7, 2024– On the sad occasion of the passing of Mr. Fethullah Gülen, we would like to express our condolences to the volunteers and friends of the Hizmet Movement and ask God Almighty to grant them patience.

As announced on various occasions, the Hizmet Movement is a peaceful civil society initiative that prioritizes education, dialogue, and humanitarian aid within the framework of social responsibility and philanthropy. It is based on volunteerism, embraces religious, social, and cultural diversity, and is inspired by both Islamic and universal humanitarian values. The movement strives toward the common ideal of living together in peace and serving humanity.

By dedicating his life to humanity, Mr. Fethullah Gülen has left a spiritual, intellectual, and cultural legacy that inspires millions of people. This legacy belongs to Hizmet volunteers all over the world who embrace the ideas of Hocaefendi and dedicate themselves to serving humanity through positive action.

Hocaefendi personally ensured that the practice of consultative decision making was in place from the very first days of the Hizmet Movement and advised and encouraged it at every opportunity. The sharing of best practices from around the world and consultation processes have been carried out through consultative bodies and platforms at all levels, enabling effective cooperation and information exchange among Hizmet volunteers. In all activities of the Hizmet Movement, shared wisdom and consultation will be the basis as it has been until today.

Within the framework of its core values, the Hizmet Movement is based on localization, pluralism, transparency, rejuvenation, and diversification of decision-making bodies at all levels in harmony with the broader movement. This has been the practice of Hizmet participants in the planning of activities and in the decision-making processes and will continue to be so in the future.

The “Core Values of the Hizmet Movement” declaration has been prepared under the guidance of Hocaefendi and announced with his approval. These core values promote peace, justice, education, humanitarian aid, respect for law and human rights, and intercultural dialogue. Hizmet volunteers will continue to serve humanity in unity and solidarity within the framework of these values, as they have done so thus far, with the blessings and grace of God.

About Alliance for Shared Values

The Alliance for Shared Values (AFSV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a voice for cultural organizations affiliated with Hizmet, a civil society movement inspired by prominent preacher and peace advocate Fethullah Gülen. The Alliance strives to promote peace and social harmony by helping reduce misinformation and false stereotypes about any or all ethnic, cultural and religious communities. To learn more about the Alliance, please visit www.afsv.org.

Media contact

media@afsv.org

212-682-4278

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