Information Nigeria
NIGERIA, and indeed the rest of the world, must promote dialogue between cultures and mass education of the citizenry, among others, in other to stem crises rooted in religious, ethnic, social or political differences.
The above was the fulcrum of recommendations made by a broad spectrum of academics, government officials, traditional rulers, media chieftains, clerics, jurists, diplomats, non-government organisations (NGOs) and students at a recent two-day international conference in Abuja, which attracted participants from across the world.
December 10, 2011
December 9, 2011
Global Ergenekon
Ekrem Dumanlı
The busy domestic political agenda may prevent us from seeing what has been going on around us. For instance, a small mobile home was burned in Germany and a historical secret was revealed.
The evidence left by two persons who committed suicide inside the mobile home shed light on murders committed 10 years ago. That the murderers were arrested and then released, that they held passports which only agents could have, and that they had confessed to assaults against Turks raised suspicions that they were protected by some units within the state. Germany is now in shock. For the first time it has become clear that racism is not a marginal discourse in Europe.
The busy domestic political agenda may prevent us from seeing what has been going on around us. For instance, a small mobile home was burned in Germany and a historical secret was revealed.
The evidence left by two persons who committed suicide inside the mobile home shed light on murders committed 10 years ago. That the murderers were arrested and then released, that they held passports which only agents could have, and that they had confessed to assaults against Turks raised suspicions that they were protected by some units within the state. Germany is now in shock. For the first time it has become clear that racism is not a marginal discourse in Europe.
December 8, 2011
Education, human capital and Arab Spring
Abdullah Bozkurt
I strongly believe that education is the most important formidable challenge facing the countries in the Middle East, which have been in stages of transition amid discontent, demonstrations, uprisings or even revolutions, while they try to map out trajectories for their future.
The ultimate success or terrible failure of the reforms and institutionalization process Arab countries have been undertaking for some time will undoubtedly hinge on the outcome of educational reforms. This was the message I carried to the prestigious Abant Platform over the weekend, which was organized in Gaziantep, a Turkish province on the border with Syria, with the title “The Future of the Middle East after the Arab Spring,” in cooperation with Zirve University.
I strongly believe that education is the most important formidable challenge facing the countries in the Middle East, which have been in stages of transition amid discontent, demonstrations, uprisings or even revolutions, while they try to map out trajectories for their future.
The ultimate success or terrible failure of the reforms and institutionalization process Arab countries have been undertaking for some time will undoubtedly hinge on the outcome of educational reforms. This was the message I carried to the prestigious Abant Platform over the weekend, which was organized in Gaziantep, a Turkish province on the border with Syria, with the title “The Future of the Middle East after the Arab Spring,” in cooperation with Zirve University.
December 7, 2011
The Arab Spring and Turkey
Ergun Babahan
First, let me underline one fact: The Arab world has not been on Turkey's radar only because of reasons related to religion.
The increased importance of this region as a market for Turkish exports has made the Arab lands precious for Turkey. Turkey mostly relied on European Union countries for trade, but during the last decade it has realized the risks of focusing on a single market and decided to diversify its trade partners.
First, let me underline one fact: The Arab world has not been on Turkey's radar only because of reasons related to religion.
The increased importance of this region as a market for Turkish exports has made the Arab lands precious for Turkey. Turkey mostly relied on European Union countries for trade, but during the last decade it has realized the risks of focusing on a single market and decided to diversify its trade partners.
December 6, 2011
Forum blames violence on wrong religious orientation
Eric Ikhilae
Recurring violence in parts of the country result mostly from wrongful interpretation of religious doctrines by clerics and spiritual leaders, participants at an international conference in Abuja have said.
They sought positive scientific knowledge and ideas to prevent the growing ignorance and superstition among Nigerians, saying this is responsible for frequent inter-religious conflicts and violence.
Stressing the importance of education for societal peace, the forum noted that it serves as a means of fostering understanding and cooperation for peaceful coexistence in any society.
Recurring violence in parts of the country result mostly from wrongful interpretation of religious doctrines by clerics and spiritual leaders, participants at an international conference in Abuja have said.
They sought positive scientific knowledge and ideas to prevent the growing ignorance and superstition among Nigerians, saying this is responsible for frequent inter-religious conflicts and violence.
Stressing the importance of education for societal peace, the forum noted that it serves as a means of fostering understanding and cooperation for peaceful coexistence in any society.
December 5, 2011
Imam in the Middle - Fethullah Gulen and the "Gulen" Movement
Ronni Mott *
In June 2007, I took a once-in-a-lifetime 12-day trip to Turkey. During our stay, our group visited multiple historic and religious sites. We visited Greco-Roman amphitheaters and the ruins of the former port city of Ephesus. We marveled at the mosque of 13th-century Islamic Sufi mystic and poet Rumi in Konya, and Byzantine Christian churches carved out of rock chimneys in Cappadocia. There, ancient murals depicting Bible stories covered every inch of the indoor surfaces. On the outside, nothing hinted at the beauty within.
What made this trip different from a typical tourist agenda was that we also visited schools, hospitals and businesses, and met with students, teachers, doctors and entrepreneurs. The Institute of Interfaith Dialog, a non-profit educational group led by Turkish Americans, planned, led and heavily subsidized the trip. I was part of a group of about 20 people from Jackson.
What made this trip different from a typical tourist agenda was that we also visited schools, hospitals and businesses, and met with students, teachers, doctors and entrepreneurs. The Institute of Interfaith Dialog, a non-profit educational group led by Turkish Americans, planned, led and heavily subsidized the trip. I was part of a group of about 20 people from Jackson.
December 4, 2011
US Congressman Charlie Dent: Many Americans think Turkey’s leadership in Middle East will be constructive
Esra Koşar
When Congressman Charlie Dent was offered an opportunity to visit Turkey, he thought this could be a great opportunity to assess the country’s influence in a tempestuous region.
He had a chance to see Turkey over the span of a week with his wife, Pamela. Although they had different reasons to be excited about the trip, they both found many more during their stay.
When Congressman Charlie Dent was offered an opportunity to visit Turkey, he thought this could be a great opportunity to assess the country’s influence in a tempestuous region.
He had a chance to see Turkey over the span of a week with his wife, Pamela. Although they had different reasons to be excited about the trip, they both found many more during their stay.
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