Pacifica Institute and the Hizmet Movement
June 15, 2016
We have been fortunate in the San Francisco Bay Area to work cooperatively with the Pacifica Institute, a local organization that is inspired by the Hizmet movement and the teachings of Fethulla Gulen. Hizmet, meaning “Service,” is a world-wide faith-based movement, and has inspired hundreds of local groups dedicated to education, multicultural relationship-building, and compassionate relief efforts.
Through Pacifica’s regular dinners that bring together people from across the religious spectrum to learn from each other and distinguished speakers, their community multicultural events like the Children’s Festival held in San Francisco and San Jose, and shared service projects to the poor and homeless, we have developed deep and lasting connections and appreciation for one another across religious and cultural divides.
Some local religious and educational leaders have also had the opportunity to travel to Turkey, not only to see the sights, but to meet and dialogue with people there and gain a deeper appreciation of the country and its people.
In the South Bay, the Pacifica Institute was one of the founding organizations of the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council. They have continued as staunch supporters of our shared work, and we have together sponsored many interreligious events.
It is particularly astonishing to hear that in Turkey, President Erdoğan’s government has sought to defame Hizmet and restrict its activities. It is not our purpose to comment on Turkish policy. However, in our experience, members of the movement have been deeply committed precisely to the things that counter terrorism—open conversation, shared service, education, and multicultural and interreligious understanding.
We appreciate the relationships we have built with the members of Pacifica Institute, and look forward to future cooperative efforts to build a more just and compassionate society for all in Silicon Valley.
Executive Committee, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council
Rev. D. Andrew Kille, Chair