Fethullah Gülen, after a lifetime of faithful service to God, has returned now to his Creator and received his reward. In this world, his legacy lives on in the lives of countless men and women who have found inspiration in his teaching and who have discovered in him a role model whose life has been both deeply Islamic and an expression of true human uprightness.

I personally have been touched by Hodjaefendi and found him a true companion in our common desire to build love and friendly collaboration between Muslims and Christians. I will miss his presence in our common cause, and I share the sadness and joy of many today in Hizmet and elsewhere who are grieving his loss but confident in our faith that he has come to his eternal reward.