Overview

The ""Hizmet"" (""Service"") Movement of Fethullah Gülen is Turkey’s most influential Islamic identity community. Widely praised throughout the early 2000s as a mild and moderate variation on Islamic political identity, the Gülen Movement has long been a topic of both adulation and conspiracy in Turkey. In Gülen, Joshua D. Hendrick suggests that the Gülen Movement should be given credit for playing a significant role in Turkey's rise to global prominence. Hendrick draws on 14 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Turkey and the U.S. for his study. He argues that the movement’s growth and impact both inside and outside Turkey position both its leader and its followers as indicative of a ""post political"" turn in twenty-first century Islamic political identity in general, and as illustrative of Turkey’s political, economic, and cultural transformation in particular.

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9781479800469

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Reviews

In a groundbreaking study, Joshua Hendrick provides us with the first comprehensive and dispassionate analysis of the worldwide Gulen movement. Theoretically sophisticated and brimming with unprecedented empirical insight, this volume will be essential reading for students and researchers in contemporary Islamic Studies as well as those seeking to understand the changing nature of social movements under globalization. -Peter Mandaville, author of Global Political Islam Essential reading for anyone interested in current political, economic, and religious trends in modern Turkey. This work is by far the best study to date of one of the most important and interesting Islamic movements of our times. A fascinating book. -Nancy Gallagher, University of California Santa Barbara In this path-breaking ethnography of a modern Islamic movement that is educating millions of students across the globe, Hendrick brilliantly explains the strategies of the Gulen phenomena as an intersection of the spiritual and market-driven needs of his followers. This a definitive study of how Muslim modernity is practiced among aspiring Muslim middle classes, an exceptional achievement because Hendrick avoids the twin pitfalls of demonization and cooption. It will become a classic. -Paul M. Lubeck, Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies Dr. Hendrick's study is revealing and topical, and provides an objective, critical and balanced assessment of the Gulen movement. Together with Berna Turam's earlier study of the same movement, it distinguishes itself as one of the very few studies of this topic that meets the strictures of nonpartisan academic scholarship. -Elisabeth Ozdalga, Contemporary Islam Hendrick deserves to be commended for analyzing the Gulen movement in a comprehensive fashion. The book, written in an engaging style, covers diverse issues, ranging from the movement's role in changing the balance of power in the Turkish media to its critics in the American charter school system. This timely book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the Gulen movement. -Ahmet T. Kuru, Middle East Journal

Hendrick deserves to be commended for analyzing the Gulen movement in a comprehensive fashion. The book, written in an engaging style, covers diverse issues, ranging from the movement's role in changing the balance of power in the Turkish media to its critics in the American charter school system. This timely book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the Gulen movement. -Ahmet T. Kuru, Middle East Journal

A helpful and detailed account of a movement that is defined, if such a thing is possible, by obfuscation -Christopher de Bellaigue,The New York Review of Books A valuable study of the Gulen movement, originating in Turkey but spanning the world, illustrates how it was born out of the social and political climate of modern Turkey but how it integrated Islam and neoliberal globalization to create an ambiguous empire of 'market Islam' including schools, media, and manufacturing. -Anthropology Review Database As Joshua Hendrick reminds us in the introduction of his informative new book, in a 2008 online poll Fethullah Gulen was named the most influential public intellectual in the world, despite the fact that most people have never heard of him. Of course, the victory might be the result of dedicated followers voting for him, yet his surprise appearance at the top of-or even on-the list calls for some more exploration of precisely what Gulen and his minions are up to and how a major movement emerged in Turkey and spread around the world. This is precisely what Hendrick give us in the study. [...] [A]nthropologists should be grateful to Hendrick for the valuable research and should extend these analyses with further studies of the GM and of other modern social movements, including 'Islamic' or 'Islamist' ones, to discover how they blend religion or other aspects of 'culture' or 'tradition' with modern capitalist and technological techniques and practices. -Anthropology Review Database In this path-breaking ethnography of a modern Islamic movement that is educating millions of students across the globe, Hendrick brilliantly explains the strategies of the Gulen phenomena as an intersection of the spiritual and market-driven needs of his followers. This a definitive study of how Muslim modernity is practiced among aspiring Muslim middle classes, an exceptional achievement because Hendrick avoids the twin pitfalls of demonization and cooption. It will become a classic. -Paul M. Lubeck,Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies [T]here's...much to learn from this book about the enigmatic Gulen and his enigmatic movement. -William Armstrong,Hurriyet Daily News In a groundbreaking study, Joshua Hendrick provides us with the first comprehensive and dispassionate analysis of the worldwide Gulen movement. Theoretically sophisticated and brimming with unprecedented empirical insight, this volume will be essential reading for students and researchers in contemporary Islamic Studies as well as those seeking to understand the changing nature of social movements under globalization. -Peter Mandaville,author of Global Political Islam Hendrick deserves to be commended for analyzing the Gulen movement in a comprehensive fashion. The book, written in an engaging style, covers diverse issues, ranging from the movement's role in changing the balance of power in the Turkish media to its critics in the American charter school system. This timely book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the Gulen movement. -Ahmet T. Kuru,Middle East Journal Essential reading for anyone interested in current political, economic, and religious trends in modern Turkey. This work is by far the best study to date of one of the most important and interesting Islamic movements of our times. A fascinating book. -Nancy Gallagher,University of California Santa Barbara In light of the political crisis Turkey has been going through in the past year, the publication of Hendrick's Gulen could not be timelier. This book examines one of the most controversial figures in the modern Turkish political history, Fethullah Gulen, and his cemaat (community); a well-organized network overseeing schools and educational institutions in more than 100 countries and controlling a global, multi-million dollar operation of 'Islamic economy.' Hendrick's political ethnography provides an outstanding analysis. -Mobilization Dr. Hendrick's study is revealing and topical, and provides an objective, critical and balanced assessment of the Gulen movement. Together with Berna Turam's earlier study of the same movement, it distinguishes itself as one of the very few studies of this topic that meets the strictures of nonpartisan academic scholarship. -Elisabeth Ozdalga,Contemporary Islam

A valuable study of the Gulen movement, originating in Turkey but spanning the world, illustrates how it was born out of the social and political climate of modern Turkey but how it integrated Islam and neoliberal globalization to create an ambiguous empire of 'market Islam' including schools, media, and manufacturing. -Anthropology Review Database As Joshua Hendrick reminds us in the introduction of his informative new book, in a 2008 online poll Fethullah Gulen was named the most influential public intellectual in the world, despite the fact that most people have never heard of him. Of course, the victory might be the result of dedicated followers voting for him, yet his surprise appearance at the top of-or even on-the list calls for some more exploration of precisely what Gulen and his minions are up to and how a major movement emerged in Turkey and spread around the world. This is precisely what Hendrick give us in the study. [...] [A]nthropologists should be grateful to Hendrick for the valuable research and should extend these analyses with further studies of the GM and of other modern social movements, including 'Islamic' or 'Islamist' ones, to discover how they blend religion or other aspects of 'culture' or 'tradition' with modern capitalist and technological techniques and practices. -Anthropology Review Database In light of the political crisis Turkey has been going through in the past year, the publication of Hendrick's Gulen could not be timelier. This book examines one of the most controversial figures in the modern Turkish political history, Fethullah Gulen, and his cemaat (community); a well-organized network overseeing schools and educational institutions in more than 100 countries and controlling a global, multi-million dollar operation of 'Islamic economy.' Hendrick's political ethnography provides an outstanding analysis. -Mobilization In this path-breaking ethnography of a modern Islamic movement that is educating millions of students across the globe, Hendrick brilliantly explains the strategies of the Gulen phenomena as an intersection of the spiritual and market-driven needs of his followers. This a definitive study of how Muslim modernity is practiced among aspiring Muslim middle classes, an exceptional achievement because Hendrick avoids the twin pitfalls of demonization and cooption. It will become a classic. -Paul M. Lubeck,Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies Essential reading for anyone interested in current political, economic, and religious trends in modern Turkey. This work is by far the best study to date of one of the most important and interesting Islamic movements of our times. A fascinating book. -Nancy Gallagher,University of California Santa Barbara Dr. Hendrick's study is revealing and topical, and provides an objective, critical and balanced assessment of the Gulen movement. Together with Berna Turam's earlier study of the same movement, it distinguishes itself as one of the very few studies of this topic that meets the strictures of nonpartisan academic scholarship. -Elisabeth Ozdalga,Contemporary Islam [T]here's...much to learn from this book about the enigmatic Gulen and his enigmatic movement. -William Armstrong,Hurriyet Daily News A helpful and detailed account of a movement that is defined, if such a thing is possible, by obfuscation -Christopher de Bellaigue,The New York Review of Books In a groundbreaking study, Joshua Hendrick provides us with the first comprehensive and dispassionate analysis of the worldwide Gulen movement. Theoretically sophisticated and brimming with unprecedented empirical insight, this volume will be essential reading for students and researchers in contemporary Islamic Studies as well as those seeking to understand the changing nature of social movements under globalization. -Peter Mandaville,author of Global Political Islam Hendrick deserves to be commended for analyzing the Gulen movement in a comprehensive fashion. The book, written in an engaging style, covers diverse issues, ranging from the movement's role in changing the balance of power in the Turkish media to its critics in the American charter school system. This timely book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the Gulen movement. -Ahmet T. Kuru,Middle East Journal

Dr. Hendrick's study is revealing and topical, and provides an objective, critical and balanced assessment of the Gulen movement... Based as it is on thorough information and colorful descriptions, it is an easy read and thus also speaks to a wider audience inside and outside of academia. -Contemporary Islam Dr. Hendrick's study is revealing and topical, and provides an objective, critical and balanced assessment of the Gulen movement. Together with Berna Turam's earlier study of the same movement, it distinguishes itself as one of the very few studies of this topic that meets the strictures of nonpartisan academic scholarship. -Elisabeth Ozdalga,Contemporary Islam A valuable study of the Gulen movement, originating in Turkey but spanning the world, illustrates how it was born out of the social and political climate of modern Turkey but how it integrated Islam and neoliberal globalization to create an ambiguous empire of 'market Islam' including schools, media, and manufacturing. -Anthropology Review Database As Joshua Hendrick reminds us in the introduction of his informative new book, in a 2008 online poll Fethullah Gulen was named the most influential public intellectual in the world, despite the fact that most people have never heard of him. Of course, the victory might be the result of dedicated followers voting for him, yet his surprise appearance at the top of-or even on-the list calls for some more exploration of precisely what Gulen and his minions are up to and how a major movement emerged in Turkey and spread around the world. This is precisely what Hendrick give us in the study. [...] [A]nthropologists should be grateful to Hendrick for the valuable research and should extend these analyses with further studies of the GM and of other modern social movements, including 'Islamic' or 'Islamist' ones, to discover how they blend religion or other aspects of 'culture' or 'tradition' with modern capitalist and technological techniques and practices. -Anthropology Review Database In this path-breaking ethnography of a modern Islamic movement that is educating millions of students across the globe, Hendrick brilliantly explains the strategies of the Gulen phenomena as an intersection of the spiritual and market-driven needs of his followers. This a definitive study of how Muslim modernity is practiced among aspiring Muslim middle classes, an exceptional achievement because Hendrick avoids the twin pitfalls of demonization and cooption. It will become a classic. -Paul M. Lubeck,Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies Hendrick deserves to be commended for analyzing the Gulen movement in a comprehensive fashion. The book, written in an engaging style, covers diverse issues, ranging from the movement's role in changing the balance of power in the Turkish media to its critics in the American charter school system. This timely book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the Gulen movement. -Ahmet T. Kuru,Middle East Journal Essential reading for anyone interested in current political, economic, and religious trends in modern Turkey. This work is by far the best study to date of one of the most important and interesting Islamic movements of our times. A fascinating book. -Nancy Gallagher,University of California Santa Barbara A helpful and detailed account of a movement that is defined, if such a thing is possible, by obfuscation -Christopher de Bellaigue,The New York Review of Books In a groundbreaking study, Joshua Hendrick provides us with the first comprehensive and dispassionate analysis of the worldwide Gulen movement. Theoretically sophisticated and brimming with unprecedented empirical insight, this volume will be essential reading for students and researchers in contemporary Islamic Studies as well as those seeking to understand the changing nature of social movements under globalization. -Peter Mandaville,author of Global Political Islam [T]here's...much to learn from this book about the enigmatic Gulen and his enigmatic movement. -William Armstrong,Hurriyet Daily News In light of the political crisis Turkey has been going through in the past year, the publication of Hendrick's Gulen could not be timelier. This book examines one of the most controversial figures in the modern Turkish political history, Fethullah Gulen, and his cemaat (community); a well-organized network overseeing schools and educational institutions in more than 100 countries and controlling a global, multi-million dollar operation of 'Islamic economy.' Hendrick's political ethnography provides an outstanding analysis. -Mobilization

Author Information

Joshua D. Hendrick is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Global Studies at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. He received his PhD and MA degrees in sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and his MA degree in cultural anthropology from Northern Arizona University.

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