About HIZMET
The Global Movement of Service and Education
What is HIZMET?
Hizmet literally means "service" in English. It is a transnational civil society initiative that advocates for the ideals of human rights, equal opportunity, democracy, non-violence and the emphatic acceptance of religious and cultural diversity.
Hizmet began in Turkey as a grassroots community in the 1970s in the context of social challenges being faced at the time: violent conflict among ideologically and politically driven youth, desperate economic conditions and decades of state-imposed ideology of discrimination where the un-elected members of the state penetrated excessively in people's lives and mandated a particular lifestyle.
A Global Movement
Over the years, Hizmet has transformed from a grassroots community in Turkey to a wider social effort around the world where participants come from all walks of life — they are culturally, geographically, linguistically and religiously diverse.
Philanthropy & Community Service
Promoting philanthropy and community service as a foundation for social good.
Education & Virtue
Investing in education for cultivating virtuous individuals who contribute to society.
Interfaith Dialogue
Organizing intercultural and interfaith dialogue for peaceful coexistence.
Open to All
Hizmet is not a religious effort — it is open to every person who shares its core values regardless of whether their values are rooted in Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, agnostic, or any other faith. In fact, in areas where Hindu, Buddhist or other religions are a majority, Hizmet supporters include members of those faiths. Hizmet has no formal membership. We consider anyone who shares these values as our brothers and sisters in hizmet.
One of the core ideals of Hizmet is not just an emphatic acceptance of religious, cultural, social and political diversity, but actual celebration of this diversity because Hizmet participants consider this diversity as divine will. Hizmet participants believe that such acceptance is not contrary to one's devotion to religion, but indeed respecting and embracing fellow humans at the level of our common humanity is part of one's devotion.
Core Values
Respect for Human Beings and Fundamental Human Rights
Hizmet participants believe that every human being has inherent value and everyone should be treated with dignity. Every person is equal as a human being and before the law, and no one person is superior to anyone else. Hizmet participants uphold all human rights and freedoms expressed in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Social justice and equal opportunity are requirements for equality among people.
Respect for the Rule of Law
Hizmet participants respect the rule of law. They do not see anyone as above the law, and they act within the framework of protection of human dignity, universal legal principles, and the laws of their country of residence. They manage their organizations in a way to meet or exceed the transparency and accountability norms of their society.
Peaceful and Positive Action
Hizmet is a peaceful movement. Hizmet participants reject using violence as a political tool. Hizmet participants prefer positive and constructive actions and reject hostility-driven and destructive actions.
Empowerment of Women
Hizmet participants are committed to the ideal that women are provided with equal opportunity and can contribute to all aspects of society without discrimination, and they strive to meet this ideal in all activities.
Ethical Action
Hizmet participants pay attention to both ethical norms and moral principles in their activities. They abide by fundamental ethical principles including honesty, trustworthiness, harmlessness, and fairness. They believe that legitimate and rightful goals should be obtained through legitimate and rightful means.
Respect for Diversity and Pluralism
Hizmet participants see collective and individual diversity as richness as long as they do not contradict fundamental human rights. They adopt an attitude necessary to avoid conflicts that stem from differences in sacred beliefs.
Voluntary Participation and Altruism
For Hizmet volunteers, joining activities or leaving them is a person's individual choice. Hizmet participants contribute to projects that bring to life their values and benefit humanity either through donations or volunteer work.
Consultation and Shared Wisdom
Hizmet participants benefit from shared wisdom through discussions of different perspectives and opinions.
Civic Nature and Independence
Hizmet is a civil society movement and acts independently. It is not an extension of a state or a political entity. Hizmet volunteers emphasize the internalization of democratic values, active citizenship and community participation, and they respect every individual's political choices. They stand against turning religion into a political ideology or making religion a tool of politics.
Civic Engagement and Contribution to Society
Hizmet participants consider it a social responsibility to contribute to society and to help solve societal problems. They see themselves as part of the human family. They are sensitive toward humanity's problems and aim to serve humanity.
Protecting the Environment
Hizmet participants view the earth, including its ecosystems, as a trust that must be preserved for future generations, and they contribute to protecting the environment.
Holistic View Toward Humanity (and Unity of the Mind and the Heart)
Human beings are both material and spiritual beings. Spiritual disciplines should be pursued along with reason and scientific research so that their material and spiritual needs are met, and they can flourish in both dimensions.
Fethullah Gülen
(1941-2024)
Fethullah Gülen was an influential Islamic scholar, educator, and author who inspired the Hizmet (Service) movement—a global civil society initiative promoting education, interfaith dialogue, humanitarian aid, and community service.
His Teachings
"Find peace and purpose ourselves and help others find peace and purpose."
"To uplift humanity to the highest ideals."
"Studying physics, mathematics, and chemistry is worshipping God."
"The true value of life deepens with the ideal of giving life (to others)."
"Open your heart to everyone as wide as you can, vast as the ocean! Stand firm in faith and love humanity; let no sorrowful soul go unnoticed, no hurting heart beyond the reach of your hand."
Love is a Verb
A brief documentary segment about the Hizmet movement—its roots, values, and global impact.
MARTI's Connection to HIZMET
MARTI is inspired by the HIZMET movement's principles and values. While MARTI focuses specifically on serving the Maryland community, we draw from the broader HIZMET philosophy of service, education, and interfaith dialogue. Our local programs and initiatives reflect the global movement's commitment to building bridges between communities and serving humanity.