This is one of the first academic books about Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish scholar and preacher, and the civic movement he inspired in Turkey and ultimately throughout the world. The movement is rooted in moderate Islam and is committed to educating youth, fostering interfaith and intercultural dialog, assisting the needy in society and contributing to global peace. Based on interview data and visits to Gülen-inspired institutions, the book describes the movement from a sociological perspective, especially through the lens of social movement theory. It is the first book, grounded in empirical methodology, to describe the movement to a Western audience. It will be of special interest to social scientists interested in religious movements, religious scholars seeking information on Islamic movements and the general public eager to discover a moderate Islam that promotes humanitarian projects.

The first book to describe Fethullah Gülen and the Gülen Movement from a sociological perspective

Islam and the State Throughout Turkish History.- Fethullah Gülen: His Life, Beliefs and the Movement That He Inspires.- Social Organization in the Movement: The Network of Local Circles.- The Turkish-Islamic Culture of Giving*.- The Water for the Mill: Financing of Gülen-Inspired Service Projects.- Summary.