The Turkish-Islamic Culture of Giving*

Abstract

In order to understand the impetus and motivation behind the service commitment and financial support on the part of millions of Turkish people for the Gülen movement, it is necessary to understand certain cultural-religious practices related to philanthropy and charity in Turkish history. It is clear that the movement started in Turkey and that its activities are organized predominantly by Turkish citizens and by Turks in the diaspora around the world. Numerous scholars have concluded, for better or for worse, that the movement is inherently tied to Turkish culture and a specifically Turkish understanding of Islam.