March 20, 2014

Gülen calls for respect of diversity in Turkey to end polarization

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who has inspired the popular civic and social movement called Hizmet, called for the respect of diversity in Turkey, expressing his concern over growing polarization in society.

Islamic scholar Gülen criticizes Turkish gov’t response to Gezi protests

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has criticized the Turkish government for a police crackdown on protesters during last year’s Gezi Park demonstrations in which a number of people were killed.

'Latest developments increased recognition of Hizmet Movement globally'

Madiambal Diagne who is the editor-in-chief of a leading newspaper, Le Quotidien, in Senegal, stated that conflict between Hizmet Movement and Turkish government has paved way for Hizmet Movement to gain recognition worldwide extensively.

Turkey’s graft investigation and PM Erdoğan’s response

Kerim Balcı

Turkey is passing through interesting times. Very recently the country has been shaken by two corruption investigations involving ministers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The related investigations heralded the final parting of the ways between two strong players in Turkey: the AK Party and the Hizmet movement (a faith-inspired community affiliated with the now US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen). Once allies against military tutelage and staunch secularist elite control of power centers in the country, recent events and the Turkish prime minister’s response demonstrate the differing views and positions of both sides.

Individuals can force change

Lale Kemal

Nelson Mandela has shown that individuals can enact change if their cause is noble and if it is for the good of society. Mandela, who passed away last year, sacrificed his life to end the state-sponsored apartheid policy in his country, South Africa.

What else should Gülen say?

Adem Yavuz Arslan, Bugün

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and many Justice and Development Party (AK Party) members are talking about an operation to be launched against the Hizmet community after March 30.

AKP Faces crucial test in local elections

Dr. Marwan Kabalan*

The March 30 local elections in Turkey are dealt with by most of the competing political parties as a make-or-break battle. Opposition forces, secular and religious, seem keen on ending almost 12 years of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) monopoly of power. While 25 political parties will be eligible to compete, according to the High Election Commission, “the big four” in the current parliament will run the show. They are: The ruling liberal Islamist AKP, with 320 seats out of a total of 550; the Republican People’s Party (CHP), representing the Kemalist-nationalist forces in the country, with 134 seats; the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), with a right-wing nationalist stance and 52 seats; and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), supportive of Kurdish rights, with 26 seats.

Electoral fraud?

İhsan Yılmaz

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has turned the 30 March local elections into a sort of referendum.