AK Party doesn't want votes from the Gülen movement

Hüseyin Gülerce

I am of the impression that the majority of the people who compose the Gülen movement, also known as the Hizmet or service movement, have, since the time the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was formed, supported this party in every election.

This time around though, I have the exact opposite impression. The majority of the people in the Gülen movement do not wish to cast their votes for the AK Party. The reason for this is that the AK Party quite openly does not want votes from the movement. The ruling party is looking straight into the eyes of millions and basically saying, “We do not need your votes.” In fact, there are some columnists who support the ruling party who have touched on this topic.

So how exactly has the AK Party declared that it doesn't want certain votes? Yes, the announcement of the coming closure of preparatory schools was one part of this move, but it was not the essential maneuver. The crucial step was when ambassadors meeting in Ankara were given orders to work against the Turkish schools founded by the Gülen movement in their respective countries of duty. This was the sharpest blow directed at the movement and one that made no distinction between the figure at the peak and the basis for the movement. These schools are, after all, the creation of those who believe whole-heartedly that “A Turkey that is not everywhere in the world is not in the position it deserves.”

These schools are not just “Gülen” schools, but rather schools that belong to all of Turkey. In fact, located in 160 countries around the world, these schools have never been known as “Gülen schools,” but rather as “Turkish schools.” And there is no one who has taken a tour of one of these schools and not come away in complete admiration. Even those who look with some coldness upon the Gülen movement, who share neither the philosophy nor the ideas of the movement, have been moved to tip their hats to these schools. It should be noted that the president himself was no longer able to stand the way things are going on this topic and vocalized the feelings of the majority when he said, “The Turkish schools abroad need to be kept outside of and separate from this whole government-service movement matter.”

In the meantime, the people of Turkey from Anatolia to Thrace have given everything they had to these schools. Especially those teachers, those administrators, those businessmen -- all those people keeping the Turkish flag aloft in foreign lands -- they have all given so much to these schools. It is really a new legend of Çanakkale that is being written, one in tune with our time. Our values are being introduced via volunteer envoys to the entire world, and as this happens, our people's nobility and greatness is not only being recalled in the old lands in which we used to be present, but also in completely new lands, where the message is, “We have arrived; we have come to make people aware of our difference, and we are here not to take but to give.”

Not only have these schools elicited an incredible level of support for real Turkish lobbies everywhere, but even more, they are busy capturing hearts in the name of peace for future generations. What we have experienced with these schools is the likes of nothing we have experienced before.

And so it is that orders given to denounce these schools abroad and calling on ambassadors to block their path forward in every way is an error of indescribable proportions. It is the greatest of blunders.

This is an axe that has come down straight onto the conscience, the heart and the passion of the Gülen movement. And in making this very mistaken move, the prime minister has placed himself squarely in opposition to the foundation of the Gülen movement.

The criticism flows in from some friendly circles: "But the service movement is aligning itself with the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Does this really suit the people that make up this movement?” All I ask in response to those who criticize this is to come and try to persuade these millions who have been hit right in their hearts, who hear themselves denounced with the sharpest of insults in city squares on a daily basis now. I am curious what you could say to persuade them about how they ought to cast their votes. Is this what you would try? "It doesn't matter how much the AK Party might not want your votes, you should still vote for them…”? What if they turned and told you, “But the prime minister says, ‘We will finish you off after these elections are over.' Should we cast our votes for him to make this bit of business happen faster?” Would you still have some words of persuasion left for them then?

Published on Today's Zaman, 21 March 2014, Friday