Why a Military Coup in Egypt and a Democracy in Turkey?

Yusuf İnan

The military carried out a coup in Egypt and shocked everyone in Turkey. “Tahrir square brought about a coup, not a democracy,” they said. Whereas in Turkey, a diplomatic warning was sent to the AK Party Government and Tayyip Erdoğan but the same result was not achieved...

But why?

You may say, “We have a prime minister that is from Kasımpaşa like a lion, tall and lean and with a fiery heart; Mursi doesn’t have any of that.”…However, the reality is much more different.

First of all, Egypt lacks the existence of a scholar like Fethullah Gulen who presents universal ideas and practices, and also the existence of a mass of educated individuals as those who are a part of the Hizmet Movement. You may think, “Well, there’s the Muslim Brotherhood.” Yet, there is quite a big difference between the Muslim Brotherhood and honorable Gulen and the Hizmet Movement.

As one can also understand from its title, the Muslim Brotherhood is an organization that brings together a part of the Muslims. The Hizmet Movement, on the other hand, is a universal organization. In the Hizmet Movement there is no separation between religion, language, race, nation or gender.

The Hizmet Movement’s ultimate goal is the bliss of all humanity. Thus, it attracts such great attention and support globally. Another feature of Hizmet is that it is able to stay out of daily politics and away from violence.

Though it bears the ethics of Islam in its core foundation, Hizmet is not an organization centered solely on religion. It is a kind of grassroots movement of the people. Its method of operation holds striking resemblance to the method of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It approaches other human beings in a tender and sincere way. Every person is accepted and embraced in their respective status and position.

It attaches importance to material, institutional structuring alongside its spiritual structuring. It bears a strong and healthy structure in areas like media, education, the business world, and the outside world. The system functions according to a principle of volunteerism.

The most successful students in Turkey are the ones that have been raised in Hizmet schools and learning centers. Turkey’s leading newspaper is a product of Hizmet. Turkey’s most watched TV channel, the best-selling magazines are again products of Hizmet. One branch of the Movement of Volunteers extends into America, while another extends into Europe, and, still, another into Asia and Africa.

The Hizmet Movement enters into the world with the miraculous word of “Salaam” (meaning Peace). Violence is decreased and the level of education is increased in the countries that it reaches.

Universal Strategy Specialists are well aware of the message of “Love and Peace” that the Hizmet Movement is imbuing in people and countries.

Thus, it is being accepted with good grace in every country. Because it is nurturing a new generation, the quality of the society is also rising. That is why no organization that is a part of the Hizmet Movement is able to be easily provoked. There is a serious discipline and submission within the Movement.

This new generation that has been brought up through this educational system now holds an active part in daily life. Therefore, while a military coup is being carried out in Egypt, the democracy in Turkey is climbing towards its zenith.

The Movement of Volunteers is not met with any obstacles as it carries the Turkish-Islamic culture to the rest of the world because whichever country the Movement goes to, it brings with it peace and happiness for that country.

People have trust in honorable Gulen and the Movement of Volunteers just as a patient trusts in his/her doctor.

Why should there be a coup in a country with such a powerful foundation and structure?

When we don’t personalize the situation, when we look at events as a third-person from the outside, when we stay clear of our illnesses such as envy and jealousy for just one moment, we will arrive at a common understanding that honorable Gulen and The Movement of Volunteers do receive a helping hand from the Divine.

Even if Turkey is not aware of this value it holds in itself, this system that is functioning is preventing harmful elements from reproducing in the country.

Aside from ‘Universal Education’ Fethullah Gulen also bears a title and knowledge as ‘Hocaefendi’ which enamors all of humanity and Divine faiths. Even if it does not do much to affect those of us who are alien to these matters, this title and wisdom will certainly have a profound effect on the spiritual leaders of these Divine faiths and religions.

If the Movement of Volunteers had not entered Central Asia during the process of the disintegration of the Soviet Union, that area may have turned into a center of terror and violence. If the Turkish Republics and Russia are all able to sustain their blissful lives today, they have the Hizmet Movement to be thankful for.

The Hizmet Movement took out the ‘rage’ that formed inside the people of this region and replaced it with the culture of peace.

The same situation holds for the case of Africa. And for the case of America. I strongly contend that if the Hizmet Movement had not reached into America and Africa, humanity may have been destructed by ‘Colored Rage’. The Movement of Volunteers heals the wounds of the people of the lands that have been oppressed and condescended, takes their rage and replaces it with the Culture of Peace.

Neither Egypt, where the military carries out coups, nor Israel, where the Palestinians are inflicted with violence, can settle down unless they are acquainted with the Culture of Peace.

Turkey had to go through a series of calamities and crises until it was able to reach its current phase. We cannot pass over the will power that honorable Gulen put forth towards the resolution of these problems.

Honorable Gulen’s remarks during the referendum process had cleared the way for the AK Party government and had set their minds and hearts at ease.

“Not only every living man, woman and child that has dispersed to the four corners of this Earth, if given the opportunity, even the ones lying in their graves should be waken so that they will be able to vote “Yes” for this referendum. Even those in their graves should stand up for this. And, I believe, they truly would stand, and, I believe, they would run at the opportunity for this is a most significant step in the name of democracy.”

During the period when the atmosphere was filled with speculations regarding the Imrali meetings, his remarks had put an end to the conflicts within the country:

“Providing that national pride and honor is not stepped on, as long as that ideal is paid its due respect, I believe that for the sake of peace one may kiss another’s hand, and if need be, even the hem of another’s skirt. One should endure all things possible for the sake of ensuring peace among the nation and among the union of Islam. Goodness lies in peace; peace is always the better way.”

“One should do everything in their power to ensure peace among our people, who are otherwise attempted to be broken up into a separation of Alewite-Sunni, Kurdish-Turkish, Laz-Circassian, and so on…If need be, they should say, ‘I drank cranberry juice’ even if they are otherwise spitting out blood.”

“There may be some things that are difficult to accept; one might say, ‘If only there wasn’t such a meeting.. I wish there was no such agreement.. or this reconciliation… we are the Turkish people… we have our pride, and our honor.. we must not give in, there are some things we cannot say yes to..’ If through such efforts certain problems will find resolution, then with the spirit of the Hudaibiya Peace Treaty in mind, with the logic and judgment of the Hudaibiya Agreement, one must do what needs to be done. The security of the route and destination must not be jeopardized. Separation and disintegration of the country must not be given any chance. One must ensure that our government continues on the way of becoming the greatest of states. We must enable our country to become a component of stability among the equilibrium of governments. When faced with a situation that holds such revenue and benefits, we can tolerate and endure some things that may not perfectly fit our understanding.”

With the referendum, Turkey overcame an important threshold; by starting the meetings with the Terrorist Organization PKK, it took a great step towards stopping the war between brothers.

As one can see, whenever Turkey found itself in a tight situation, it found honorable Gulen and his advice for resolution ready by its side.

AK Party and the Movement paved the way for the prosperity of the country, hand in hand, heart to heart…

If the period of coups is over and done with in Turkey, the biggest part of the pie belongs to the Movement.

Other communities and religious orders may take offense or become sensitive because of our putting the spotlight on Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet Movement. One thing that must never be forgotten is the fact that whoever serves this country is held high with respect atop our heads. Everyone’s service is sacred and its reward belongs to God Almighty. No one is deemed sublime according to our weak and worn out words.

I merely attempted to draw attention to the change of generations in Turkey and direct the lens towards the effort that the Movement has put forth in this field.

If there hadn’t been a system like the Hizmet Movement that laid the foundation of the society, the AK Party Government could not have been as successful as it has been, and I merely announced the fact that I noticed this truth.

Even if it does not happen today, generations to come will admire Fethullah Gulen’s ability to bring together poets and intellectuals of such different views like Nazım Hikmet, Necip Fazıl and Mehmet Akif Ersoy in one pool and have them loved by so many others.

They will bow down with respect for his foresight that brought an end to the Alewite-Sunni conflict and brought the temple of the Alewites side by side with the mosque of the Sunnis.

They will certainly fell proud after seeing the message of Peace delivered to the great masses of people in Asia, Africa, America, Europe and Antarctica and the effects that it brings about.

If Israel—who is constantly in conflict with Iran—wants to solve the problem with Palestine, then it must pioneer the way for the Movement of Volunteers to enter Palestine and Israel and opened schools there.

The secret for the happiness of humanity at a global level is hidden in the message of Peace, or Salaam…

{*} Salaam: “O friend, no harm shall come to you by way of my heart, tongue or mind. As-salaam to you.” 

Published [in Turkish] on YerelGundem, 06 July 2013, Saturday