22nd October, 2024
PRESS RELEASE:
WE MOURN TURKEY’S NUSRET LEADER FATHULLAH GULEN – MURIC
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed sadness over the death of the head of the Turkey based organization, NUSRET and the country’s spiritual leader, Shaykh Fathullah Gulen.
MURIC sent condolences to NUSRET, all Turkish citizens resident in Nigeria, all true democrats and lovers of free speech and liberty around the globe. The message, which was issued on Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024 was signed by the Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
It reads:
“The head of the Turkey based organization, NUSRET/Hizmet and the country’s spiritual leader, Shaykh Fathullah Gulen, died on Sunday, 20th October, 2024. His death occurred while still in exile in Saylorsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States.
“We are badly shaken and saddened by news of his death. However, we submit to the decree of Allah as He said, ‘Every soul shall taste of death’ (Glorious Qur’an 3:185). We continue to look forward to the global Hizmet movement which he inspired with his exemplary character and great leadership traits.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to NUSRET, his global movement, Hizmet, all Turkish citizens resident in Nigeria, all true democrats and lovers of free speech and liberty around the globe. In particular, we urge his followers worldwide to be hopeful. Shakh Fathullah Gulen is gone, but his spirit and his great works live on.
“We therefore leave all his followers, particularly those who are in exile in Nigeria, with the reassuring exhortation of Allah, ‘Do not feel dispirited or fall into despair, for you will always have the upper hand as long as you strongly adhere to your faith’ (Glorious Qur’an 3:139).
“To this same group we say, ‘You are not alone. We share your deep sadness at this moment. Our solidarity with you remains unbroken. We do not forget our friends. Neither do we abandon our brethren in faith. Be strong, you are surrounded by friends. Fear not the tribulations of living in strange lands, nor entertain the fear of dying in faraway lands, for the whole earth belongs to Allah (4:131)’
“We urge the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to step up the protection of all Turkish citizens in Nigeria, particularly followers of Shaykh Fathullah Gulen who are in exile in the country.
“We advise the government of Turkey to work towards a détente with its opposition and relax immigration rules in the country. This is the time to allow all exiled citizens to return home. There is no true democracy in exclusivity.”
#Turkey
#FathullahGulen
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
