Towards a Middle Way Islam in Southeast Asia: Contributions of the Gülen Movement

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to show that the Gülen movement can reverse the current distorted state of Islam back to its original form. It will attempt to demonstrate how the Gülen movement can serve as an important counter-trend to extremist ideology through some of its activities such as educational activities and encouraging inter-religious discussion in the region. The paper will first examine Fethullah Gülen’s views on extremism and inter-religious dialogue. The paper will then proceed to examine case studies of organizations inspired by Gülen in Singapore and Indonesia and how these organizations utilized his ideas to enhance inter-religious dialogue and provide an alternative to the legalistic discourse on Islam. This section will also attempt to compare and contrast the approach of the organization in a Muslim-majority country (Indonesia) and in a Muslim minority country (Singapore). The paper will conclude by charting a trajectory of the movement’s role and its potential contributions to the development of moderate Islam in Southeast Asia