Local, foreign participants debate Turkish democracy at Abant platform

Yonca Poyraz Doğan

Even though Turkey has achieved great economic development in the past 10 years, it is still having trouble consolidating its democracy, according to both native and non-native participants of the 27th Abant Platform.

Abant Platform: Perspectives on Turkey

İhsan Yılmaz

The Abant Platform, being an innovative institution, has now initiated a new discussion forum which, as far as I am aware, is a first in Turkey. We will be discussing different perspectives on Turkey together with non-Turkish academics, diplomats and journalists working in the country. For three days, we will focus on topics such as “Democratization, Turkey’s Democratic Transformation,” “Turkish Foreign Policy and the Middle East,” “Turkey’s EU Journey,” “Turkey’s Economic Development” and “Perspectives on Turkish Media.”

‘I am 61 years old now, and want to have a comfortable conscience’

Bünyamin Köseli

Hadi Uluengin, a journalist associated with Turkey’s left-wing ’60s movement, recently transferred from the populist and pro-status quo Hürriyet daily to the liberal Taraf daily.

Islamic scholar gave Buddhist point to ponder

Sanitsuda Ekachai *

I have just returned from Turkey, one of the world's most beautiful countries. What has stayed deeply in my mind, however, is not the country's picture-perfect postcard beauty, but its people, its modern take on Islam and a host of questions for my own country.

Hizmet and the Kurdish question

İhsan Yılmaz

It is only normal that many people wonder what the stance of the country’s most influential civil society movement (Hizmet) is on the country’s most burning problem. Nevertheless, in our good old “Shallowland” it is futile to expect a full account of the issue from people who pretend to be discussing the issue.

Turkish Olympiad host families mourn students’ return home

Zeynep Kırşan

The Turkish families who hosted students from the 10th International Turkish Language Olympiad in their homes for over two weeks were sad to see the students, whom they regarded as members of their own families, return home.

A Muslim case for liberty

Şahin Alpay

“Is Islam a religion of coercion and repression? Or is it compatible with the idea of liberty -- that individuals have full control over their lives and are free to be religious, irreligious or whatever they wish to be?

Rwanda woos Turkish investors

Bosco Hitimana

Teacher Jeniffer Awuor goes over
an arithmetic lesson for her students
at Little Gems Pre-Primary School in Gikondo,
the first Turkish school in Rwanda.
Photo: (Mark Darrough)

Turkish schools were common in Kenya and Uganda long before one could open in Kigali. Since April this year, Little Gems Pre-Primary School opened in Rwanda as the first Turkish school and investment in the country. Turkey has one of the most advanced education sectors in the world, according to Ismail Ustun, the representative of the school.

Fethullah Gülen says success of Turkish Olympiad belongs to nation

Turkish-Islamic scholar and intellectual Fethullah Gülen has said the success of the 10th International Turkish Olympiad belongs to the entire Turkish nation -- and not to a single community or group -- because of the huge support it lent to the massive event.

Turkish Olympiad students bid farewell to friends in tears

Erhan Çaçan, Kübra Engin

Students from around the world, who came together as part of the 10th International Turkish Language Olympiad four weeks ago in Turkey, bid farewell to friends in tears during a closing ceremony held for the Olympiad at İstanbul's Türk Telekom Arena on Thursday night.

East Indian Activist Supports Inter-cultural Dialog and Gulen Movement

Swami Agnivesh (Photo: Gulfnews.com)

Swami Agnivesh, 72, a Hindu social activist best known for his work against bonded labor said on a recent visit to Istanbul that he believed in intercultural dialog and Fethullah Gulen’s liberal ideas. Agnives said he was impressed with the Fethullah Gulen Movement’s work to find fellowship between cultures.

New era that started in Arena

Ekrem Dumanlı

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the closing ceremony of the 10th International Turkish Olympiad and delivered an emotional speech, inviting Mr. Fethullah Gülen back to Turkey.

Turkish Olympiad students praise friendly locals, delicious food

İpek Üzüm

Students from around the world who traveled to Turkey to attend the 10th International Turkish Language Olympiad say they very much enjoyed attending the event and touring Turkey during their visit. The Olympiad, which brings together hundreds of foreign students each year from Turkish schools established throughout the world, is organized by the International Turkish Education Association (TÜRKÇEDER). The Olympiad was held between May 30 and June 14 in various cities around Turkey, but predominantly in Ankara and İstanbul.

The choice is up to Gülen, says Turkish PM

Photo: AA

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said the choice on whether to return or not return is up to the Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen himself, following Gülen's remarks that he is likely to stay in the United States, according to daily Hürriyet.

Fethullah Gülen says he prefers staying longer in US to avoid ‘harming positive things’

Turkish and Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has said he prefers staying in the US longer to avoid damaging positive developments in Turkey in a first public response to Turkish prime minister’s invitation to Turkey.

Different segments applaud Erdoğan's call for Gülen to return to Turkey

In an open call that received applause from many, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan invited Turkish-Islamic scholar and intellectual Fethullah Gülen to return to Turkey in a speech he delivered during the closing ceremony of the 10th International Turkish Olympiad on Thursday night.

Would Gülen Hodja want to return?

Mehmet Ali Birand


Fethullah Gülen

 Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has invited Fethullah Gülen “Hodja,” who has been living in the United States for years, back to the country. He said, “this longing should come to an end.”