Fethullah Gulen’s Statement on Devastating Bush Fires in Australia

January 8, 2020 – I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the enormous bush fires in Australia that caused the deaths of 24 Australian citizens, burned over 1000 homes and took the lives of millions of animals.

My thoughts and prayers are with those across Australia who are continuing to face these devastating fires.

I had a chance to visit Australia in 1992 and was struck by the beauty of the land and the warm-heartedness of its people. It pains me to see the unprecedented damage to this beautiful land and its wildlife.

I am confident that the brave and energetic spirit of the Australian people will help them overcome this challenge and restore the damaged habitat.

May this tragic event be an occasion to reflect worldwide on the blessings we enjoy on this planet, strengthen our commitment to protecting the environment and wildlife and review our response measures.

I express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, to the country’s national and local leaders and to the people of Australia.

I invite everybody from around the world to help Australians and pray to God, the Most Compassionate, to help emergency service workers and all Australians at this difficult time.

About Fethullah Gülen

Fethullah Gülen is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades‐long commitment to education, interfaith dialogue and altruism has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Gülen is the honorary chairman of the Rumi Forum, Washington, DC and the Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Brussels, Belgium.

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

E-mail: media@afsv.org /Phone: 212-682-4278

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