CORE VALUES OF THE HIZMET MOVEMENT
The Hizmet movement is a social movement committed to peaceful coexistence and service to humanity. We work within the framework of social responsibility and philanthropy. At the center of the movement is the concept of altruistic volunteerism. We prioritize education, dialogue and humanitarian aid in our activities. We are a peaceful movement that respects religious, social and cultural differences and draws inspiration from Islamic and humanitarian values
This work with values is worthwhile and has a future. I have faith and hope that the activities of Hizmet volunteers, which are related to their core values – helping others to live for God’s satisfaction – will greatly contribute to creating a more livable world where there is peace. May God bless those who contribute to this work.
Fethullah Gülen
HIZMET’S VISION
Hizmet participants strive to achieve a society where:
- Every person is treated with dignity and accepted for who they are;
- Human rights are protected and whatever forms of diversity do not work against basic human rights – wealth is seen in them;
- People are sensitive to the challenges of humanity;
- People with different faiths, cultures and worldviews enter into dialogue and sympathize with each other;
- Sharing and cooperation are valued and people live in peace and harmony.
Hizmet participants collaborate with individuals and groups who share their vision.
CORE VALUES
RESPECT FOR PEOPLE AND FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS
Hizmet participants believe that every person has value and that everyone should be treated with dignity. Every person is equal to others – also before the law – and no one is superior to others. Hizmet participants maintain all human rights and freedoms as stated in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Social justice and equal opportunities are requirements for ensuring equality between people.
RESPECT FOR THE LAW
Hizmet participants respect the law. We consider everyone equal before the law and act within the framework of the protection of human dignity, universal legal principles and the laws of the country of residence. We manage our organizations to achieve or even exceed society’s standards of clarity and accountability.
CALM AND POSITIVE ACTION
Hizmet is a peaceful movement. Hizmet participants reject the use of violence as a political tool. We prefer positive and constructive activities, not hateful and destructive activities.
WOMEN’S ENCOURAGEMENT
Hizmet participants are committed to an ideal where women are given equal opportunities and can contribute to all aspects of society without discrimination. We try to achieve this ideal in everything we do.
ETHICAL ACTIVITY
Hizmet participants pay attention to both ethical norms and moral principles in their activities. They are based on such Estonian principles as honesty, reliability, non-harm and justice. We believe that legitimate and right goals are achieved through legal and fair measures.
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY AND PLURALISM
Hizmet participants see diversity – as long as it does not conflict with basic human rights – as wealth. We adopt the attitude necessary to avoid conflicts arising from religious differences.
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION AND ALTRUISM
For Hizmet volunteers, participation or non-participation in activities is a personal choice. We contribute to projects that bring their values to life and contribute to humanity, such as donations or volunteering.
CONSULTATION AND SHARED WISDOM
Hizmet participants benefit from shared wisdom gained through discussions, different perspectives and opinions.
CHARACTER AND INDEPENDENCE OF A CITIZEN
Hizmet is a social movement and operates independently. We are not an extension of a country or political entity. Hizmet volunteers emphasize the inculcation of democratic values, active citizenship, and participation in the community. We respect the political choices of each individual. We are against turning faith into a political ideology or turning faith into a political tool.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
For Hizmet participants, it is their social responsibility to contribute to society and help solve society’s problems. We see ourselves as part of the human family. We are sensitive to the problems of humanity and our aim is to serve humanity.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Hizmet participants see the Earth, along with its ecosystem, as a trust that must be preserved for future generations. We help protect the environment.
A HOLISTIC VIEW OF HUMANITY (AND UNITY OF MIND AND HEART)
Humans are both material and spiritual beings. Spiritual things should be pursued along with reason and scientific research. In this way, material and spiritual needs are satisfied and we can develop in both areas.
HOW HIZMET VALUES ARE PRACTICED
EDUCATION
Hizmet volunteers see education as a tool to achieve social development, peace, equality of opportunity and social justice. To achieve these goals, we establish schools, universities, additional learning centers, dormitories, courses, seminars, weekend schools, and after-school programs, and we also organize other education-focused activities. The educational programs are made in accordance with the standards of the educational system of the country of residence and they include subjects such as natural sciences, natural sciences, humanities, arts, sports and language teaching. We actively promote the participation of all people in educational activities.
SPIRITUAL FOOD AND DEVELOPMENT
Hizmet volunteers organize and support religious/spiritual, social and cultural activities such as spiritual gatherings, seminars, round tables and mentoring programs. They help you develop spiritually and satisfy your spiritual needs.
DIALOGUE AND PEACE IN SOCIETY
Hizmet volunteers organize activities that promote dialogue and civic engagement among people of different faiths, races, traditions and cultures around the world. Activities are aimed at achieving peace, promoting conflicting knowledge, developing empathy and accepting each other as we are. To do this, we organize academic activities such as symposiums, round tables and seminars, cultural events such as festivals, trips and meetings between families; spiritual events such as communal prayers and iftar programs and social responsibility projects for humanitarian aid.
HUMANITARIAN AID AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL SUPPORT
Hizmet volunteers see serving humanity as a social responsibility and spiritual practice. Through humanitarian aid campaigns, people who are in the grip of natural disasters, wars or poverty get food and shelter. We also provide healthcare services through networks created by healthcare volunteers. We plan our humanitarian aid and social responsibility projects sustainably. We organize and support sustainable development projects.
CULTURE AND ART
As a universal language, art and cultural activities contribute to communication, peace and harmony both within and between communities. Art and cultural activities also contribute to the development and expression of individual talents and skills. Thus, Hizmet participants organize and support activities such as art education, art presentations, language and culture festivals.
PUBLICATIONS
For informal education, Hizmet participants publish magazines and books to promote and spread universal human values such as peace, unity of heart and mind, and environmental awareness.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HIZMET
In the 1960s, Turkish society suffered from poverty, unequal opportunities and political polarization, which often turned into armed conflict. Against this backdrop, Fethullah Gülen, a Muslim scholar and intellectual, started educational initiatives with friends aimed at protecting young people from violence and addictions and encouraging them with quality education. Through this, they have more career opportunities. They also provided an environment where they can learn and practice their faith freely in the modern world while embracing science, democracy and diversity. The Hizmet movement began as a group of volunteers who shared a vision of educational activities that included things like dormitories, grants, and university preparation courses.
Over time, it turned into a social movement shaped by principles such as respecting the dignity of each person, accepting each other, serving humanity, and finding solutions to social problems through education—principles that are in the Islamic tradition and universal human values.
Although the movement initially focused on education, the participants began to organize dialogues and meetings, as well as projects aimed at reducing tension and prejudice between people from different parts of society – who have different faiths and origins, political views or ideologies. All this takes place in a culture of caring, peaceful coexistence
In the early 2000s, humanitarian aid came to the fore in the project, and participants in the movement rushed to help those suffering from natural disasters in Turkey and around the world. In some places, the participants did not stop with humanitarian aid and started permanent projects such as building clinics, schools, wells and doing collective training.
Through educational projects, the movement expanded beyond Turkey. Hizmet’s inclusive attitude facilitated the participation of people of different origins, faiths and cultural backgrounds, resulting in a more diverse group of participants.
At the same time, Hizmet participants have engaged culturally with both the people and the countries in which they operate. This naturally led to local branches of the movement with their own cultural textures, values, attitudes and working methods. We see this diversity as wealth.
Hizmet volunteers pursue their goals through formal activities such as spiritual gatherings and social activities.
It is important that official organizations and institutions are managed by their management in accordance with the laws of the country of residence, the norms of society and in continuity and harmony with the core values of the Hizmet movement.
Constant communication, discussion and sharing of operational practices help to maintain continuity.