Orange County Program in Commemoration of Hocaefendi’s Legacy
The program began with Qari Hamza Bilgiç reciting verses 189-200 from Surah Al-i Imran, emphasizing themes of creation, faith, and the importance of prayer, supplication, and trust in Allah. These verses highlight the significance of reflecting on the signs of Allah’s power and wisdom in creation. Believers are encouraged to remain devoted to Allah, seek forgiveness, and endure with patience and struggle to attain success and the rewards promised in paradise.
Following this, a five-minute video on Hocaefendi’s life was shown. Thokozani from Tanzania shared a speech, saying, “The Hizmet community has lost a truly significant figure. He often reminded us of death and that each of us would leave this world when the time came. My name is Thokozani, and I grew up in Malawi, a small country in Southern Africa. I was educated at a school inspired by Fethullah Gülen. Our school was founded on principles of peace, love, and unity—values that Hocaefendi embodied. He was a man of great humility who envisioned a world filled with peace and harmony. Through his writings and conversations, he stressed the importance of coexistence, compassion, and striving for a better world for everyone. Now, it is up to us to keep the ideals of peace, love, and harmony alive and spread them. Hocaefendi encouraged the establishment of countless schools in Africa, Asia, Europe, and America and has been my greatest role model. He believed that people of different religions, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds could live together peacefully. We called him ‘Hocaefendi’ with affection, and he will be greatly missed, but the legacy he left in the lives he touched will continue. He inspired thousands of people worldwide, including me. May Allah grant him mercy, and may we always keep him in our prayers and thoughts. Thank you.”
Recep Doğan, one of Hocaefendi’s students, shared a story illustrating Hocaefendi’s deep compassion. “Hocaefendi would sometimes walk around the camp where he lived and speak to those gathered around him. One day, he noticed a withering tree that seemed neglected. He prayed for its well-being for several nights. One night, he felt an especially close connection to Allah and believed that if he could touch the tree and pray over it, it might revive. However, when he prepared to go outside, he found the doors were locked, and he was deeply saddened that he couldn’t reach the tree. For Hocaefendi, compassion wasn’t limited to people—it extended to all living beings, even a single tree.”
Among the guests, Dr. Daniel Skubik expressed sorrow over losing someone as valuable as Hocaefendi.
Businesswoman Jennifer Dietz said, “I support my friends in Hizmet who follow Hocaefendi’s path for helping us understand the Quran better, and I am well aware of the hardships they’ve endured over the past few years.”
Medical doctor and activist Dr. Nazir Khadja shared how, after returning from a trip to Turkey, he talked to friends at a UCLA dinner about the Hizmet movement, saying he once thought such a model could only exist in dreams. Upon visiting Turkey, he was amazed to see that everything he imagined was actually real.
Dr. Gerald Whitehouse shared how deeply moved he was by Hocaefendi’s humility. During a visit, he took off his shoes to enter, walking in his socks. When Hocaefendi offered him his slippers, saying, “Your feet must be cold,” he was struck by his thoughtfulness.
Interfaith dialogue activist Charlie Niederman from Orange County said that even if we could carry forth half of Hocaefendi’s wisdom, it would mean so much to us. He spoke of the invaluable legacy Hocaefendi left, which encourages contemplating both science and religion together.
After the program ended, guests were invited to write their reflections in a memory book.
Please rsvp here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/remembering-the-legacy-of-gulen-tickets-1063557582359?aff=oddtdtcreator
M E M O R I A L. S E R V I C E NOVEMBER 7TH, THURSDAY
06:45PM- WELCOMING & LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
07:15PM- MEMORIAL
08:00PM- FINISHING REMARKS
25351 Commercentre Dr #100, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Remembering the Legacy of Gulen
With profound respect and heartfelt remembrance, we invite you to a memorial gathering honoring the life, wisdom, and legacy of Fethullah Gülen. His teachings, compassion, and vision have left an indelible mark on our lives and continue to guide us toward lives of purpose, service, and unity.
This special gathering will offer a space to reflect on the impact of Gülen’s teachings, celebrate his message of love, tolerance, and hope, and share stories and remarks that highlight the profound influence he had on our community. Together, we will honor his memory with prayers, reflections, and expressions of gratitude for his enduring spiritual legacy.
Please join us in remembering the legacy of Gulen and carry forward the values he inspired in us.