Crown Prince Abd al-Ilāh of Hejaz, GCB, GCMG, GCVO (Arabic: عبد الإله ) (also written Abdul Ilah or Abdullah), (November 14, 1913-July 14, 1958), was a cousin and brother-in-law of King Ghazi of the Kingdom of Iraq. Abdul Ilah served as Regent for King Faisal II from April 4, 1939 to May 2, 1953, when Faisal came of age. He also held the title of Crown Prince of Iraq from 1943.

Biography

Son and heir of King Ali ibn Hussein of Hejaz, who was the elder brother of King Faisal I of Iraq, Abdul Ilah assumed power upon Ghazi's death in an automobile accident. He served as Regent for the under-age Faisal II.

1941 Iraqi coup d'état

During World War II, Abdul Ilah was deposed briefly by former Prime Minister Rashid Ali al-Kaylani. Rashid Ali led a pro-German ''coup d'état'' during World War II against Abdul Ilah's pro-British government. After he fled the country, Abdul Ilah was replaced as Regent by Sherif Sharaf. Sherif Sharaf was an aging, holy-minded relative of King Feisal. The deposed Regent spent his time with former Prime Minister Nuri as-Said as a refugee in Amman. Abdul Ilah was a guest of Prince ‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Husayn, the Hashemite ruler of Jordan (future King).

On 2 May, the United Kingdom launched offensive actions against the Iraqi rebels. On 26 May, the New York Times newspaper reported that Abdul Illah had called for an uprising of tribal and religious leaders to help him overthrow the insurgent government. He appealed specifically to the Iraqi people, the army and the police to accomplish "this heavy task."

By 2 June, Rashid Ali's "National Defence Government" had collapsed and Rashid Ali had fled to Persia. Abdul Ilah returned to Baghdad and was restored as Regent.

In 1942, Wendell Wilkie traveled to Britain and the Middle East as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal representative. In Iraq, Abdul Ilah held a lavish state dinner attended by Wilkie.

In 1945, Abdul Ilah visited the United States. He was the honoree at the first state dinner hosted by the new American First Lady, Bess Truman. The Regent of "friendly Iraq" was awarded a Legion of Merit military decoration by President Harry S. Truman.

In 1953, Abdul Ilah stepped down when Faisal II came of age. But he continued to be a close adviser of the young King, and an advocate of a pro-Western foreign policy.

In 1955, Iraq adopted the Baghdad Pact (also known as the Central Treaty Organization, or CENTO). The other members of the organization were Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The organization's headquarters were initially located in Baghdad.

In May 1957, King Ibn Saud made an eight-day visit to Iraq. He was met on his arrival by King Faisel II, Crown Prince Abdul Ilah, and Prime Minister Nuri as-Said. It was the Saudi King's first ever visit to Iraq and it commemorated Iraq's membership in the Arab Federation and its break with the United Arab Republic of Gamal Abdel Nasser.

14 July Revolution

During the 14 July Revolution, Abdul Ilah was killed, along with most of the royal family. On 14 July 1958, a ''coup d'état'' led by Colonel Abdul Karim Qassim toppled the government and brought an end to the Iraqi monarchy. The body of Abdul Ilah was trailed on al Rashid street and was cut into pieces. According to the 21 July edition of Time Magazine, Gamel Abdel Nasser's "Middle East News Agency gleefully described the assassination of Crown Prince Abdul Illah: 'The people dragged Abdul Illah's body into the street like that of a dog and tore it limb from limb.' Then the mobs burned the body."

Military ranks

'Abd al-Ilah held the following ranks :

Field Marshal, Royal Iraqi Army

Marshal of the Royal Iraqi Air Force

Air Marshal (honorary), Royal Air Force

See also

1941 Iraqi coup d'état

Baghdad Pact

14 July Revolution

Notes

References

External references

Category:1913 births Category:1958 deaths Category:Murder in 1958 Category:Iraqi politicians Category:House of Hashim Category:Field Marshals of Iraq Category:Marshals of the Royal Iraqi Air Force Category:Royal Air Force air marshals Category:Leaders ousted by a coup Category:Princes of Iraq Category:Deaths by firearm in Iraq Category:Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Category:Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Category:Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Category:Murdered monarchs Category:Executed royalty Category:Executed Iraqi people Category:People executed by Iraq Category:Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:People murdered in Iraq Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland)

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Coordinates	5°39′″N100°30′″N
name	Ali Hasan
birth date	May 23, 1965
sport	Fencing
show-medals	yes }}

Ali Hasan (born 23 May 1965) is a Kuwaiti fencer. He competed in the team épée event at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

References

Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:Kuwaiti fencers Category:Olympic fencers of Kuwait Category:Fencers at the 1984 Summer Olympics

Coordinates	5°39′″N100°30′″N
region	Muslim scholar
era	Modern era
color	#B0C4DE
name	Muhammed Fethullah Gülen
birth date	Erzurum, Turkey
religion	Islam
citizenship	Turkey
school tradition	Hanafi
main interests	Sufism, Mainstream Islamic thought, education, interfaith dialogue among the people of the book.
influences	Rumi, Yunus Emre, Ibn Arabi, Al-Ghazali, Said Nursi
influenced	On Turkish Anatolian Islam
notable ideas	service (hizmet); interfaith dialogue; civil society }}

Muhammed Fethullah Gülen is a Turkish preacher, author, educator, and Muslim scholar living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania (USA). He is the founder and leader of the Gülen movement. Gülen is characterized in the media as one of the world's most important Muslim figures.

Gülen teaches an Anatolian version of traditional mainstream Islam, deriving from Said Nursi's teachings and modernizing them. Gülen supports interfaith dialogue among the people of the book, and has initiated such dialogue with the Vatican and some Jewish organizations.

Gülen is actively involved in the societal debate concerning the future of the Turkish state, and Islam in the modern world. In the Turkish context Gülen appears relatively conservative and religiously observant. For example, he supports the view that women should wear headscarfs, and his female followers usually wear them.

Biography

Gülen was born in the village of Korucuk, near Erzurum. His father, Ramiz Gülen, was an imam. Gülen started primary education at his home village, but did not continue after his family moved, and instead focused on informal Islamic education. He gave his first sermon when he was 14. He was influenced by the ideas of Said Nursi and Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi.

Gülen never met Said Nursi, who died in 1960. By the end of the 1970s Gülen broke ranks with the mainstream Nurcu movement (or Nur movement, i.e., the group following Nursi), which was governed by a council of elders, and created his own institutions in which he was the sole leader. Comparing Gülen to leaders in the Nur movement, Hakan Yavuz said, "Gülen is more Turkish nationalist in his thinking. Also, he is somewhat more state-oriented, and is more concerned with market economics and neo-liberal economic policies."

His pro-business stance has led some outsiders to dub his theology an Islamic version of Calvinism. ''Oxford Analytica'' says:

:"Gülen put Nursi's ideas into practice when he was transferred to a mosque in Izmir in 1966. Izmir is a city where political Islam never took root. However, the business and professional middle class came to resent the constraints of a state bureaucracy under whose wings it had grown, and supported market-friendly policies, while preserving at least some elements of a conservative lifestyle. Such businessmen were largely pro-Western, because it was Western (mainly U.S.) influence, which had persuaded the government to allow free elections for the first time in 1950 and U.S. aid, which had primed the pump of economic growth."

Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. From 1988 to 1991 he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities. These activities elevated him to a public figure. In 1994, he participated in the founding of "Journalists and Writers Foundation" and was given the title "Honorary President" by the foundation. He did not make any comment regarding the closures of the Welfare Party in 1998 or the Virtue Party in 2001. He has met some politicians like Tansu Çiller and Bülent Ecevit, but he avoids meeting with the leaders of Islamic political parties.

In 1998 Gülen emigrated to the United States, ostensibly for health problems (he suffers from diabetes and heart disease) but arguably in anticipation of being tried over remarks (aired after his emigration to US) which seemed to favor an Islamic state. In June 1999, after Gulen had left Turkey video tapes were sent to some Turkey TV stations with recordings of Gulen saying, "the existing system is still in power. Our friends who have positions in legislative and administrative bodies should learn its details and be vigilant all the time so that they can transform it and be more fruitful on behalf of Islam in order to carry out a nationwide restoration. However, they should wait until the conditions become more favorable. In other words, they should not come out too early." Gülen complained that the remarks were taken out of context, and questions were raised about the authenticity of the tape, which he accused of having been "manipulated". Gülen was tried ''in absentia'' in 2000, and acquitted in 2006. The Supreme Court of Appeals later rejected an appeal by the Chief Prosecutor's Office.

Theology

Gülen does not advocate a new theology but refers to classical authorities of theology and takes up their line of argument. His understanding of Islam tends to be conservative and mainstream. Though he has never been a member of a Sufi ''tarekat'' and does not see ''tarekat'' membership as a necessity for Muslims, he teaches that Sufism is the inner dimension of Islam and the inner and outer dimensions must never be separated.

His teachings differ in emphasis from those of other mainstream, moderate Islamic scholars in two respects, both based on his interpretations of particular verses of the Quran: (1) he teaches that the Muslim community has a duty of service (Turkish: ''hizmet'') to the “common good” of the community and the nation and to Muslims and non-Muslims all over the world; and (2), the Muslim community is obliged to conduct interfaith dialogue with the "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians). Although this does not extend to other religions and atheists. In fact he appears to be intolerant of atheism, as in 2004 Gülen commented to the effect that terrorism was as despicable as atheism. In a follow-up interview he explained he did not intend to equate atheists and murderers; rather, he wanted to highlight the fact that according to Islam both were destined to suffer eternal punishment.

Service (''hizmet'') to the common good

Gülen's teachings about ''hizmet'' (altruistic service to the "common good") have attracted a large number of supporters in Turkey and Central Asia and increasingly in other parts of the world. These supporters and their activities are commonly known as the Gülen Movement.

Interfaith and intercultural dialogue

Gulen movement participants have founded a number of institutions across the world which promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue activities. While Gülen's earlier works are (in Bekim Agai's words) "full of anti-missionary and anti-Western passages", during the 1990s he began to advocate interreligious tolerance and dialogue. He personally met with leaders of other religions, including Pope John Paul II, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos, and Israeli Sephardic Head Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron. In the late 2000s, the movement also initiated dialogue with those of no faith. For example, the Dialogue Society in London, which is inspired by Gülen’s teaching, has more atheist and agnostic members of its Advisory Board than it has Muslims.

Similar to Said Nursi, Gülen favors cooperation between followers of different religions (this would also include different forms of Islam, such as Sunnism vs. Alevism in Turkey) as well as religious and secular elements within society. He has been described as "very critical of the regimes in Iran and Saudi Arabia" due to their undemocratic, sharia-based systems of government.

Publications

Gülen has authored over 60 books and many articles on a variety of topics: social, political and religious issues, art, science and sports, and recorded thousands of audio and video cassettes. He contributes to a number of journals and magazines owned by his followers. He writes the lead article for the ''Fountain'', ''Yeni Ümit'', ''Sızıntı'', and ''Yağmur'', Islamic and philosophical magazines. Several of his books have been translated into English (see: Books by Gülen Books on Gülen and the Gülen Movement).

Views on contemporary issues

Secularism

Gülen’s Islamic teaching and practice was developed in the forge of Turkey’s 20th century project to create a secular state, as initiated by the Turkish nationalist revolution of Atatürk. That project became an ideologically “secularist” one, locked in symbiotic conflict with an “Islamist” reaction. Arising from that context, Gülen has criticized a politics rooted in a philosophically reductionist materialism. But he has also argued that Islam and democracy are compatible and he encourages greater democracy within Turkey. He also argues that a secular approach that is not anti-religious and allows for freedom of religion and belief is compatible with Islam.

Turkey bid to join the EU

Gulen favors Turkey's bid to join the European Union and argues that neither Turkey nor the EU have anything to fear, but have much to gain, from a future of full Turkish membership in the EU.

Women's roles

According to Aras and Caha, Gülen's views on women are "progressive" but "modern professional women in Turkey still find his ideas far from acceptable." Gülen says the coming of Islam saved women, who "were absolutely not confined to their home and...never oppressed" in the early years of the religion. He feels that western-style feminism, however, is "doomed to imbalance like all other reactionary movements...being full of hatred towards men."

Terrorism

Gülen condemns any kind of terrorism. He warns against the phenomenon of arbitrary violence and aggression against civilians, that is terrorism, which has no place in Islam and which militates against its very foundational tenets of reverence for human life and for all of God's creation. In an article that he wrote for the Turkish Daily News a few days after the horrific events of September 11, 2001 titled "Real Muslims Cannot Be Terrorists," Gülen lamented the deplorable hijacking of Islam by terrorists who claimed to be Muslims and acting out of religious conviction. He counseled that "One should seek Islam through its own sources and in its own representatives throughout history; not through the actions of a tiny minority that misrepresent it.

Gaza Flotilla

Gülen criticized the Turkish-led Gaza flotilla for trying to deliver aid without Israel's consent. He spoke of watching the news coverage of the deadly confrontation between Israeli commandos and Turkish aid group members as its flotilla approached Israel's sea blockade of Gaza. "What I saw was not pretty," he said. "It was ugly.". He continued his criticism. The "organizers' failure to seek accord with Israel before attempting to deliver aid "is a sign of defying authority, and will not lead to fruitful matters."

See also

Gülen movement

References

External links

The Gülen movement

Fethullah Gülen's official website

The Gülen Institute at University of Houston

Institute of Interfaith Dialog

Fethullah Gülen Conferences

The Journalists and Writers Foundation website

Interfaith Dialog Center at Newark, NJ

Other sources

Fethullah Gülen's Biography

The Global Imam by The New Republic Magazine

The Fethullah Gülen Movement: Pillar of Society or Threat to Democracy?

Fethullah Gülen and his Liberal "Turkish Islam" movement

Turkish Islam's Moderate Face

The Gülen Movement: a modern expression of Turkish Islam

The Nurcu Movement in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

FORBES - Gulen Inspires Muslims Worldwide

Interfaith Radio - Turkey's Champion of Interfaith Dialogue

The Economist - Global Muslim networks- How far they have travelled

The Economist- Fethullah Gulen- A farm boy on the world stage

Reuters - Turkish Islamic preacher - threat or benefactor?

The New York Times - Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam

The New York Times: Fethullah Gulen profile

Foreign Policy - Fethullah Gulen as a Top Public Intellectual

Profile on PBS show Religion and Ethics January 21, 2011

Gülen movement to be discussed at Arab League

Category:1941 births Category:Living people Category:People from Pasinler Category:Turkish imams Category:Islamic politics and Islamic world studies Category:Turkish emigrants to the United States

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Coordinates	5°39′″N100°30′″N
name	Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu
author	Honoré de Balzac
illustrator	Pierre Vidal
country	France
language	French
series	La Comédie humaine
publisher	Charles-Béchet
pub date	1831
followed by	}}

''Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu'' (English "The Unknown Masterpiece") is a short story by Honoré de Balzac. It was first published in the newspaper ''L'Artiste'' with the title "Maître Frenhofer" (English: "Master Frenhofer") in August 1831. It appeared again later in the same year under the title "Catherine Lescault, conte fantastique." It was published in Balzac's ''Études philosophiques'' in 1837 and was integrated into the ''La Comédie humaine'' in 1846. At the most fundamental level, "Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu" is a reflection on art.

Plot summary

Young Nicolas Poussin, as yet unknown, visits the painter Porbus in his workshop. He is accompanied by the old master Frenhofer who comments expertly on the large tableau that Porbus has just finished. The painting is of Mary of Egypt, and while Frenhofer sings her praises, he hints that the work seems unfinished. With some slight touches of the paintbrush, Frenhofer transforms Porbus' painting such that Mary the Egyptian appears to come alive before their very eyes. Although Frenhofer has mastered his technique, he admits that he has been unable to find a suitable model for his own masterpiece, ''La Belle noiseuse,'' on which he has been working for ten years. This future masterpiece, that no one has yet seen, is to be the portrait of Catherine Lescault. Poussin offers his own lover, Gilette, as a potential model. Gilette's beauty is so great that it inspires Frenhofer to finish his project quickly. Poussin and Porbus come to admire the painting, but all they can see is part of a foot that has been lost in a swirl of colors. Their disappointment drives Frenhofer to madness, and he destroys the painting and kills himself.

Picasso and ''le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu''

In 1921, Ambroise Vollard asked Picasso to illustrate ''Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu.'' Picasso was fascinated by the text and identified with Frenhofer so much that he moved to the rue des Grands-Augustins in Paris where Porbus' studio was supposedly located. It was in his new studio that he painted his own Masterpiece, ''Guernica''. Picasso lived here during World War II.

Adaptations

"Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu" inspired the film ''la Belle Noiseuse'' by Jacques Rivette (1991).

External links

"The Unknown Masterpiece", translation (by Ellen Marriage?) at Project Gutenberg (full text)

Introduction to the book

Nicolas Poussin paintings

Chef d`œuvre in music: a piece for three conductors was composed by Samu Gryllus: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5589743053266992865&hl;=en

Category:1831 short stories Category:French short stories Category:Books of La Comédie humaine Category:Works originally published in L'Artiste

fr:Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu hu:Az ismeretlen remekmű ja:知られざる傑作 pl:Nieznane arcydzieło pt:Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu