Fatih Vural
In thankful remarks to well-respected Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, Cem Foundation President İzzettin Doğan has said that Gülen supported the construction of cemevis (Alevi houses of worship) when signature campaigns were launched against the cemevis in some regions of Turkey.
Doğan was speaking during a panel discussion on Saturday at İstanbul’s Aydın University. Stating that nearly 2,000 cemevis have been built in Turkey in the past 50 years, he said that signature campaigns were launched to prevent their construction in the early 2000s. Noting that there were places where more than 50,000 signatures were collected, he said an interview with Gülen featured in an American daily played a positive role in slowing down these campaigns. In the interview, Gülen said cemevis should be built next to mosques and that failing to build cemevis for Alevis was unjust. Doğan said he witnessed that “such negative moves decreased following the interview.”
April 12, 2011
Gülen movement becomes new target of scaremongers
Murat Tokay
With no hope left to draw any benefit from a discourse on the “approaching reactionaryist threat,” some media outlets, military and judicial circles as well as politicians today seem to be intent on placing the Gülen movement on the target board as if the movement poses a threat for secular people and their lifestyles in the country.
Until a short while ago, some circles in Turkey were constantly trying to create fears and concerns in society, claiming that Turkey will be a country that is ruled by Shariah and that there is an imminent threat of reactionaryism. To prove their allegations, some media outlets constantly print photos of veiled women and men in Islamic attire.
With no hope left to draw any benefit from a discourse on the “approaching reactionaryist threat,” some media outlets, military and judicial circles as well as politicians today seem to be intent on placing the Gülen movement on the target board as if the movement poses a threat for secular people and their lifestyles in the country.
Until a short while ago, some circles in Turkey were constantly trying to create fears and concerns in society, claiming that Turkey will be a country that is ruled by Shariah and that there is an imminent threat of reactionaryism. To prove their allegations, some media outlets constantly print photos of veiled women and men in Islamic attire.
April 11, 2011
My opinion on the ‘Imam’s Army,’ the book banned before it was published
Şahin Alpay
During my contacts with European parliamentarians, officials and Turkey experts in Brussels in the last week of March, I was posed questions about my opinion on the Fethullah Gülen movement in Turkey.
What did I think of the claim that the Gülen movement had infiltrated the entire judicial system and was controlling the police, prosecutors and judges that deal with the Ergenekon case? Was the Ergenekon case fabricated by the Gülen movement to silence the opposition to the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government? Was the journalist Ahmet Şık detained because he had written “Imam’s Army,” a book that substantiates such claims? The following are my responses in brief.
During my contacts with European parliamentarians, officials and Turkey experts in Brussels in the last week of March, I was posed questions about my opinion on the Fethullah Gülen movement in Turkey.
What did I think of the claim that the Gülen movement had infiltrated the entire judicial system and was controlling the police, prosecutors and judges that deal with the Ergenekon case? Was the Ergenekon case fabricated by the Gülen movement to silence the opposition to the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government? Was the journalist Ahmet Şık detained because he had written “Imam’s Army,” a book that substantiates such claims? The following are my responses in brief.
April 10, 2011
Black propaganda at home, black propaganda in the world
Abdülhamit Bilici
If four news stories smearing the Gülen Movement had not appeared one after another in three major Russian newspapers in a week, you would be reading my analysis concerning the developments in Syria, which was the most recent country to be affected by a wave of uprisings that swept through the Middle East.
But it is much more vital to draw attention to a disgraceful operation involving psychological warfare conducted in the Russian media against Turkey. Indeed, what is currently being done in Moscow is yet another concrete case of what has long been the case in Washington, Paris, Brussels and other capitals.
If four news stories smearing the Gülen Movement had not appeared one after another in three major Russian newspapers in a week, you would be reading my analysis concerning the developments in Syria, which was the most recent country to be affected by a wave of uprisings that swept through the Middle East.
But it is much more vital to draw attention to a disgraceful operation involving psychological warfare conducted in the Russian media against Turkey. Indeed, what is currently being done in Moscow is yet another concrete case of what has long been the case in Washington, Paris, Brussels and other capitals.
April 9, 2011
Flautre refutes Cumhuriyet report on Gülen movement
Today's Zaman
Magalie Cleeren, assistant to co-chairwoman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Helene Flautre, refuted a news report published by the ultranationalist Cumhuriyet daily on Flautre’s alleged remarks on the faith-based Gülen movement in an e-mail she sent to all Turkish reporters based in Brussels, including the ones working for Today’s Zaman.
The e-mail read that Flautre strongly opposes Cumhuriyet’s distorting her comments, which were made within the framework of a conference at the University of Strasbourg on April 5. According to Cumhuriyet, Flautre said the Turkish judiciary and press are under the heavy influence of the Gülen movement. “We are closely following that this is not a new phenomenon in Turkey,” Flautre reportedly said during the conference.
Magalie Cleeren, assistant to co-chairwoman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Helene Flautre, refuted a news report published by the ultranationalist Cumhuriyet daily on Flautre’s alleged remarks on the faith-based Gülen movement in an e-mail she sent to all Turkish reporters based in Brussels, including the ones working for Today’s Zaman.
The e-mail read that Flautre strongly opposes Cumhuriyet’s distorting her comments, which were made within the framework of a conference at the University of Strasbourg on April 5. According to Cumhuriyet, Flautre said the Turkish judiciary and press are under the heavy influence of the Gülen movement. “We are closely following that this is not a new phenomenon in Turkey,” Flautre reportedly said during the conference.
April 8, 2011
Turkish organizations honor world youth in Washington D.C.
Ali H. Aslan
The winner’s of the Gülen Institute’s Dialog of Civilizations Youth Platform 2011, who competed against students from over 50 nations and 35 American states in essay writing, received awards in Washington on Wednesday from member of the US Congress.
Congress members presented the 36 awards to winners in Washington, D.C., with Congressional Certificates to recognize their success in the international high school essay contest that was organized by the Gülen Institute and the Rumi Forum. The contest involved 600 high school students, enrolled in nineth through 12th grades, attending public or private schools from the United States and abroad, writing on the use of military means as a solution to today’s international and national political issues.
The winner’s of the Gülen Institute’s Dialog of Civilizations Youth Platform 2011, who competed against students from over 50 nations and 35 American states in essay writing, received awards in Washington on Wednesday from member of the US Congress.
Congress members presented the 36 awards to winners in Washington, D.C., with Congressional Certificates to recognize their success in the international high school essay contest that was organized by the Gülen Institute and the Rumi Forum. The contest involved 600 high school students, enrolled in nineth through 12th grades, attending public or private schools from the United States and abroad, writing on the use of military means as a solution to today’s international and national political issues.
April 7, 2011
American professor: Criticism against Fethullah Gülen ideological
Today's Zaman
American sociology Professor Helen Rose Ebaugh, who has written a book analyzing the Gülen movement, inspired by the well-respected Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, has said criticism leveled at Gülen is based completely on ideological fears.
Ebaugh, the author of a book titled “The Gülen movement: A Sociological Analysis of a Civic Movement Rooted in Moderate Islam,” was speaking at a conference organized by the Antalya Intercultural Dialogue Center over the weekend and titled “Gelişen Türkiye’de Sivil Toplum Hareketleri: Hizmet Hareketi” (Civil Society Movements in Developing Turkey: The Hizmet Movement). Stating that recent claims that members of the movement are trying to infiltrate state posts -- including the police force, the military and others -- are groundless, she said she did not encounter such efforts while researching the movement. She said these allegations are based on ideological fears rather than facts.
American sociology Professor Helen Rose Ebaugh, who has written a book analyzing the Gülen movement, inspired by the well-respected Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, has said criticism leveled at Gülen is based completely on ideological fears.
April 6, 2011
Ergenekon case and some lies
Orhan Kemal Cengiz
Since the beginning of the Ergenekon investigation there has been an intense propaganda war against the case. Some arguments may be changing, but some strategies and tactics have never changed.
There is still upfront denial about the very existence of this clandestine organization called Ergenekon. The very existence of the organization has been denied, while the Ergenekon lobby has found unimaginably shrewd explanations for whatever has been found during operations in this case. Weapons, ammunition, explosives, coup plans, organizational documents -- anything you can imagine -- has been whitewashed by the chorus.
Since the beginning of the Ergenekon investigation there has been an intense propaganda war against the case. Some arguments may be changing, but some strategies and tactics have never changed.
There is still upfront denial about the very existence of this clandestine organization called Ergenekon. The very existence of the organization has been denied, while the Ergenekon lobby has found unimaginably shrewd explanations for whatever has been found during operations in this case. Weapons, ammunition, explosives, coup plans, organizational documents -- anything you can imagine -- has been whitewashed by the chorus.
April 5, 2011
Note in Şık's book contradicts cronyism claims
Serkan Sağlam
The draft of a book written by journalist Ahmet Şık, who is currently under arrest as part of an investigation into Ergenekon -- a clandestine network charged with attempting to overthrow the government -- includes a note the prosecution says came from the administrators of the Ergenekon network.
The note seems to say Şık's allegations, that followers of the Gülen movement in positions of power in the police department favored fellow members to a great extent in order to put their own people in important positions in the police force, are based on a false report.
The draft of a book written by journalist Ahmet Şık, who is currently under arrest as part of an investigation into Ergenekon -- a clandestine network charged with attempting to overthrow the government -- includes a note the prosecution says came from the administrators of the Ergenekon network.
The note seems to say Şık's allegations, that followers of the Gülen movement in positions of power in the police department favored fellow members to a great extent in order to put their own people in important positions in the police force, are based on a false report.
April 4, 2011
MHP’s problem and future Turkish politics
İhsan Yılmaz
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli issued a written statement a few days ago and asked the Gülen movement to freeze its activities. It may sound shocking and implausible, but this is what he asked.
Given his past record with regards to abnormalities -- such as his prediction that in the year 2009, the MHP would come to power just because it was the MHP’s 40th anniversary and when one drops two zeros it was 29 and when 2 and 9 added together and added to 29 it was 40 -- one may be inclined to not take him seriously and to ignore his request to the movement. But I will try to analyze the factors why the MHP’s leader seems so distressed and disturbed.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli issued a written statement a few days ago and asked the Gülen movement to freeze its activities. It may sound shocking and implausible, but this is what he asked.
Given his past record with regards to abnormalities -- such as his prediction that in the year 2009, the MHP would come to power just because it was the MHP’s 40th anniversary and when one drops two zeros it was 29 and when 2 and 9 added together and added to 29 it was 40 -- one may be inclined to not take him seriously and to ignore his request to the movement. But I will try to analyze the factors why the MHP’s leader seems so distressed and disturbed.
April 3, 2011
MHP leader draws reaction after calling on Fethullah Gulen to ‘suspend activities’
İbrahim Asalıoğlu & Erdal Şen
The chairman of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, has become the focus of mounting criticism from many segments in society after he called on internationally renowned Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen to “suspend his activities” worldwide.
According to the MHP leader, recent operations carried out as part of the Ergenekon investigation have put the scholar under suspicion and that Gülen needs to “take action” to address the suspicions. He has suggested that Gülen suspend his activities worldwide.
The chairman of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, has become the focus of mounting criticism from many segments in society after he called on internationally renowned Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen to “suspend his activities” worldwide.
According to the MHP leader, recent operations carried out as part of the Ergenekon investigation have put the scholar under suspicion and that Gülen needs to “take action” to address the suspicions. He has suggested that Gülen suspend his activities worldwide.
April 2, 2011
Confessions of secret witness behind latest Ergenekon wave
Today's Zaman
The confessions of a secret witness, referred to as “Deniz Uygar,” are reported to be behind the latest operation in the Ergenekon investigation into suspected links with the 2007 Zirve Publishing House murders, in which three people who sold Christian literature were killed.
On Wednesday police searched the homes and offices of several theology professors as part of the operation. According to news reports in some Turkish newspapers, the operation followed the confessions of Uygar, who testified to civilian prosecutors earlier this month. Uygar was a former agent who pretended to convert to Christianity and received regular payments from JİTEM, an illegal network inside the gendarmerie that is believed to have been responsible for thousands of unsolved murders in eastern and southeastern Turkey in the 1990s.
The secret witness reportedly told prosecutors involved in the Ergenekon investigation that he was ordered to write books and give conferences about missionary activities in Turkey by military superiors. He also noted that some theology professors contributed to the military’s anti-missionary activities. The witness also provided the names of those professors to the prosecutors, according to news reports.
The confessions of a secret witness, referred to as “Deniz Uygar,” are reported to be behind the latest operation in the Ergenekon investigation into suspected links with the 2007 Zirve Publishing House murders, in which three people who sold Christian literature were killed.
On Wednesday police searched the homes and offices of several theology professors as part of the operation. According to news reports in some Turkish newspapers, the operation followed the confessions of Uygar, who testified to civilian prosecutors earlier this month. Uygar was a former agent who pretended to convert to Christianity and received regular payments from JİTEM, an illegal network inside the gendarmerie that is believed to have been responsible for thousands of unsolved murders in eastern and southeastern Turkey in the 1990s.
The secret witness reportedly told prosecutors involved in the Ergenekon investigation that he was ordered to write books and give conferences about missionary activities in Turkey by military superiors. He also noted that some theology professors contributed to the military’s anti-missionary activities. The witness also provided the names of those professors to the prosecutors, according to news reports.
April 1, 2011
Marching towards elections
Kerim Balcı
Turkey is approaching some very fateful elections. Whatever happens in these three months before the elections will have to be interpreted with the elections in mind.
This is not to say that everything that happens is done specifically to influence the elections; but anything that happens will have an influence on the outcome. This is also true for anything that does not happen when it should. This gives analysts the right and duty to add an “election dimension” to their thinking.
One particular issue that “happened when it might not” was the Ergenekon investigation expanding to media outlets. The courts arrested two journalists who were allegedly involved in a plan to water down the investigation and the judicial process related to Ergenekon. One of the arrestees had already published a book about the Hizmet Movement (aka Gülen Movement) and the other was working on the draft of a new one. Nedim Şener’s book was titled “Fethullah Gülen and the Movement in the Ergenekon Documents” and Ahmet Şık’s was to be titled “The Imam’s Army,” where “imam” allegedly refers to Gülen.
Turkey is approaching some very fateful elections. Whatever happens in these three months before the elections will have to be interpreted with the elections in mind.
This is not to say that everything that happens is done specifically to influence the elections; but anything that happens will have an influence on the outcome. This is also true for anything that does not happen when it should. This gives analysts the right and duty to add an “election dimension” to their thinking.
One particular issue that “happened when it might not” was the Ergenekon investigation expanding to media outlets. The courts arrested two journalists who were allegedly involved in a plan to water down the investigation and the judicial process related to Ergenekon. One of the arrestees had already published a book about the Hizmet Movement (aka Gülen Movement) and the other was working on the draft of a new one. Nedim Şener’s book was titled “Fethullah Gülen and the Movement in the Ergenekon Documents” and Ahmet Şık’s was to be titled “The Imam’s Army,” where “imam” allegedly refers to Gülen.
March 31, 2011
Fethullah Gulen: ‘We’ll kiss the hands of those who tell us our shortcomings’
Hüseyin Gülerce
I have been a guest of the esteemed Fethullah Gülen for one week. I am visiting not just as a friend, but as a journalist as well. Being here in this place as a writer is very exciting.
You are in the same place, breathing the same air as this person who has embarked on a journey in the name of universal peace, love and tolerance in this war-torn world. As a journalist, it’s very hard to control the urge to share what he says with readers.
I have been a guest of the esteemed Fethullah Gülen for one week. I am visiting not just as a friend, but as a journalist as well. Being here in this place as a writer is very exciting.
You are in the same place, breathing the same air as this person who has embarked on a journey in the name of universal peace, love and tolerance in this war-torn world. As a journalist, it’s very hard to control the urge to share what he says with readers.
March 30, 2011
Ergenekon, Fethullah Gülen and media freedom
Abdullah Bozkurt
The latest brouhaha over the prosecutors’ investigations peeling another layer off Turkey’s Ergenekon terrorist network is a clear indicator that the vicious hate-mongering organization, with plots to kill Christians and Jews in a Muslim-majority country, still has operational capabilities to wage a propaganda campaign to try and inflict damage on what many described as the “trial of the century” to rid the country of the shadowy ultranationalist network long nestled in the Turkish state.
The recent arrest of half a dozen journalists with regard to the case was presented by some as an issue concerning “freedom of the press” when in fact none of the accused was charged with a violation that has anything to do with freedom of speech but rather for allegedly being involved in aiding and abetting the terrorist network. The well-orchestrated campaign of slander, distortion and lies to discredit the Ergenekon case mobilized hardcore Ergenekon activists to attack the police, the judiciary, the army, the government and popular civic groups in this country using whatever means they deemed necessary.
The latest brouhaha over the prosecutors’ investigations peeling another layer off Turkey’s Ergenekon terrorist network is a clear indicator that the vicious hate-mongering organization, with plots to kill Christians and Jews in a Muslim-majority country, still has operational capabilities to wage a propaganda campaign to try and inflict damage on what many described as the “trial of the century” to rid the country of the shadowy ultranationalist network long nestled in the Turkish state.
The recent arrest of half a dozen journalists with regard to the case was presented by some as an issue concerning “freedom of the press” when in fact none of the accused was charged with a violation that has anything to do with freedom of speech but rather for allegedly being involved in aiding and abetting the terrorist network. The well-orchestrated campaign of slander, distortion and lies to discredit the Ergenekon case mobilized hardcore Ergenekon activists to attack the police, the judiciary, the army, the government and popular civic groups in this country using whatever means they deemed necessary.
March 29, 2011
Fethullah Gülen denies role in operation against Şık's book
Today's Zaman
In the wake of the emergence of claims that he ordered the blocking of the publication of a book by a jailed journalist, Ahmet Şık, Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, known for his widely lauded messages of tolerance, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, issued a statement through his lawyer, Orhan Erdemli, in which he denied the accuracy of the claims. Statement as follows:
“Over the past few days, there have been unjust publications with regard to certain proceedings being conducted by the İstanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office against my client Fethullah Gülen that have amounted to execution without trial. For this reason, the Distinguished Fethullah Gülen has felt it necessary to release the following statement:
 |
| Fethullah Gulen |
“Over the past few days, there have been unjust publications with regard to certain proceedings being conducted by the İstanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office against my client Fethullah Gülen that have amounted to execution without trial. For this reason, the Distinguished Fethullah Gülen has felt it necessary to release the following statement:
March 28, 2011
Seized documents suggest Ergenekon’s hand in Şık’s book
Today's Zaman
Documents seized at the offices of the odatv.com news portal and the house of journalist Ahmet Şık indicate the Ergenekon terrorist organization has links to the draft version of “İmamın Ordusu” (The Imam's Army). An İstanbul court recently ordered that all copies of the controversial book be seized.
Police confiscated a large number of documents at Odatv in a search last month and in Şık's house in early March. Şık is currently under arrest on charges of membership in Ergenekon, an alleged clandestine criminal organization accused of working to overthrow the government. Some of the documents were linked to a well-known plan of Ergenekon, titled “Ulusal Medya” (National Media), which explains ways of creating a “national media center” that will fight against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the faith-based Gülen movement and “unite the Turkish public under the Kemalist ideology.”
Documents seized at the offices of the odatv.com news portal and the house of journalist Ahmet Şık indicate the Ergenekon terrorist organization has links to the draft version of “İmamın Ordusu” (The Imam's Army). An İstanbul court recently ordered that all copies of the controversial book be seized.
Police confiscated a large number of documents at Odatv in a search last month and in Şık's house in early March. Şık is currently under arrest on charges of membership in Ergenekon, an alleged clandestine criminal organization accused of working to overthrow the government. Some of the documents were linked to a well-known plan of Ergenekon, titled “Ulusal Medya” (National Media), which explains ways of creating a “national media center” that will fight against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the faith-based Gülen movement and “unite the Turkish public under the Kemalist ideology.”
March 27, 2011
‘Turkey’s Africa approach not one-sided, based on mutual benefit’
Today's Zaman
President Abdullah Gül has said Turkey always had an approach towards Africa that has prioritized benefits for both parties, and that Turkey recognizes that nations on the continent have suffered a lot as a result of centuries-long colonialism.
Gül addressed Turkish and Ghanaian businesspeople attending a business forum organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) in the West African country’s capital Accra on Thursday. “Relations that are based on one-sided profit are wrong and mostly aimed at colonialism. We, however, give priority to mutual benefits in our relations [with Africa]. We do not only want to trade, we also attach substantial importance to investment. I firmly believe that the best contribution to Africa’s development is investing in these lands,” he said at the forum.
President Abdullah Gül has said Turkey always had an approach towards Africa that has prioritized benefits for both parties, and that Turkey recognizes that nations on the continent have suffered a lot as a result of centuries-long colonialism.
Gül addressed Turkish and Ghanaian businesspeople attending a business forum organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) in the West African country’s capital Accra on Thursday. “Relations that are based on one-sided profit are wrong and mostly aimed at colonialism. We, however, give priority to mutual benefits in our relations [with Africa]. We do not only want to trade, we also attach substantial importance to investment. I firmly believe that the best contribution to Africa’s development is investing in these lands,” he said at the forum.
March 26, 2011
Zaman Weekly awarded at TCC dinner in NYC
Sezai Kalaycı
Zaman Weekly, a publication which was recently launched in the US by the same media group as Today’s Zaman, was presented with an award at the 4th Traditional Friendship Dinner hosted by the Turkish Cultural Center (TCC) and the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations in New York on Thursday.
Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı accepted the award, which was presented by the guest of honor, Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin, in recognition of the new English-language publication launched with the objective of improving Turkish-American relations.
Some of New York’s most influential politicians, including Democratic Senators Robert Casey and Kirsten Gillibrand also attended the event at Cipriani, one of New York’s most elegant restaurants.
Zaman Weekly, a publication which was recently launched in the US by the same media group as Today’s Zaman, was presented with an award at the 4th Traditional Friendship Dinner hosted by the Turkish Cultural Center (TCC) and the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations in New York on Thursday.
Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı accepted the award, which was presented by the guest of honor, Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin, in recognition of the new English-language publication launched with the objective of improving Turkish-American relations.
Some of New York’s most influential politicians, including Democratic Senators Robert Casey and Kirsten Gillibrand also attended the event at Cipriani, one of New York’s most elegant restaurants.
March 22, 2011
Are secularists and Islamists struggling in Turkey?
Ahmet T. Kuru*
In the last decade Turkey has experienced a rapid process of transformation in terms of its political and socio-economic systems.
Some pundits in the Western media, and even some academics, have defined recent political debates in Turkey as the mere reflection of a struggle between two forces: the declining secularists, including the military, and the rising Islamists, especially the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement. One example of this point of view is a recent report from the American think tank Stratfor titled “Islam, Secularism and the Battle for Turkey’s Future.” There are three main problems with depicting contemporary Turkish politics as a clash between the secularist military and the Islamist AK Party and Gülen movement.
In the last decade Turkey has experienced a rapid process of transformation in terms of its political and socio-economic systems.
Some pundits in the Western media, and even some academics, have defined recent political debates in Turkey as the mere reflection of a struggle between two forces: the declining secularists, including the military, and the rising Islamists, especially the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement. One example of this point of view is a recent report from the American think tank Stratfor titled “Islam, Secularism and the Battle for Turkey’s Future.” There are three main problems with depicting contemporary Turkish politics as a clash between the secularist military and the Islamist AK Party and Gülen movement.
March 18, 2011
Fethullah Gülen: Contributions to Global Peace and the Inter-religious Dialogue
Prof. Greg Barton, Monash University
There are many ways of summarising Fethullah Gülen’s thought and describing his social activism. He is, first and foremost, an alim, a traditional Islamic scholar with a deep understanding of the Qur’an, the Sunnah, Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic history. He is also a Sufi, though he does not belong to any particular tarikah, or Sufi brotherhood. His most immediate source of influence is the writings of the great Turkish Sufi scholar Said Nursi (1878-1960), writer of the influential multi-volume commentary on the Qur’an, Risale-i Nur, and who himself was a Sufi in the line of the great Persian/Anatolian poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273). Gülen shares with Nursi the conviction that interfaith dialogue and cooperation between Jews, Muslims and Christians should be key concerns of modern Muslim intellectuals. But whereas Nursi, principally through the legacy of the Risale-i Nur, has inspired millions of followers who meet regularly to read his work, Gülen has inspired a vast social movement concerned with practical religious philanthropy on a grand scale.
This religious philanthropy can be understand simply as revolving around three axial themes or elements: a deep desire for dialogue, a love of learning and a passion for service.
There are many ways of summarising Fethullah Gülen’s thought and describing his social activism. He is, first and foremost, an alim, a traditional Islamic scholar with a deep understanding of the Qur’an, the Sunnah, Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic history. He is also a Sufi, though he does not belong to any particular tarikah, or Sufi brotherhood. His most immediate source of influence is the writings of the great Turkish Sufi scholar Said Nursi (1878-1960), writer of the influential multi-volume commentary on the Qur’an, Risale-i Nur, and who himself was a Sufi in the line of the great Persian/Anatolian poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273). Gülen shares with Nursi the conviction that interfaith dialogue and cooperation between Jews, Muslims and Christians should be key concerns of modern Muslim intellectuals. But whereas Nursi, principally through the legacy of the Risale-i Nur, has inspired millions of followers who meet regularly to read his work, Gülen has inspired a vast social movement concerned with practical religious philanthropy on a grand scale.
This religious philanthropy can be understand simply as revolving around three axial themes or elements: a deep desire for dialogue, a love of learning and a passion for service.
March 16, 2011
Fethullah Gülen's Condolences to People of Japan
M. Fethullah Gülen
The tragic earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in Japan, a nation-with whom we have always maintained friendly relations, has upset us all and our nation feels deep hurt for the Japanese people.
I have faith and trust that the hardworking and dauntless Japanese nation will overcome this tragedy and heal their wounds in a short period of time, as they have done in the past.
We extend our compassion and loyalty to the Japanese people, who have always rushed to our aid in times of flood and earthquake in our country, and we want them to know that we stand by them during this difficult time.
The tragic earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in Japan, a nation-with whom we have always maintained friendly relations, has upset us all and our nation feels deep hurt for the Japanese people.
I have faith and trust that the hardworking and dauntless Japanese nation will overcome this tragedy and heal their wounds in a short period of time, as they have done in the past.
We extend our compassion and loyalty to the Japanese people, who have always rushed to our aid in times of flood and earthquake in our country, and we want them to know that we stand by them during this difficult time.
March 15, 2011
Fethullah Gülen donates $15,000 to Japan victims
Today's Zaman
Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen has donated $15,000 to support post-disaster relief efforts in Japan, which was shaken by a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunamis last week.
In the aftermath of the massive earthquake that hit the country, Gülen donated $15,000, earned from sales of his books and audio recordings, to leading Turkish charity association, Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There), to support earthquake victims. Kimse Yok Mu has been carrying out relief efforts in Tokyo and Sendai with a nine-member team.
Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen has donated $15,000 to support post-disaster relief efforts in Japan, which was shaken by a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunamis last week.
In the aftermath of the massive earthquake that hit the country, Gülen donated $15,000, earned from sales of his books and audio recordings, to leading Turkish charity association, Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There), to support earthquake victims. Kimse Yok Mu has been carrying out relief efforts in Tokyo and Sendai with a nine-member team.
March 13, 2011
Sex and the (Ergenekon) party
İhsan Yılmaz
It appears that some in and around the Republican People’s Party (CHP) habitually make use of sex cassettes to get rid of their opponents. In its golden age, our deep state and its civilian collaborators would prefer assassinations, playing safe. As it turns out, intrigues by sex videos do not always bring the intended results, and you may not be able to terminate a political opponent with them. But in the good old days, many thousands that the deep state did not like simply disappeared, and culprits -- who never tried to hide themselves -- were never caught.
Whatever you can say about Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rule in the country, you cannot say that they are having their opponents assassinated. Can anyone say with a clear conscience the same about our deep state? If the AK Party is politically manipulating the judicial system to have its innocent opponents tried in court, the party’s opponents should convince the public. It is obvious they have huge support not only in the Turkish media but in the Western media as well. But it is equally obvious that it is not the tremendous media support that the pro-Ergenekonians lack but convincing and credible arguments. They have never questioned the coups, assassinations, tortures and forced assimilation of minorities by the Kemalist establishment and the undemocratic practices of the state, but now suddenly have become worried that Turkey could become like Putin’s Russia. They lack and will always lack credibility.
It appears that some in and around the Republican People’s Party (CHP) habitually make use of sex cassettes to get rid of their opponents. In its golden age, our deep state and its civilian collaborators would prefer assassinations, playing safe. As it turns out, intrigues by sex videos do not always bring the intended results, and you may not be able to terminate a political opponent with them. But in the good old days, many thousands that the deep state did not like simply disappeared, and culprits -- who never tried to hide themselves -- were never caught.
Whatever you can say about Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rule in the country, you cannot say that they are having their opponents assassinated. Can anyone say with a clear conscience the same about our deep state? If the AK Party is politically manipulating the judicial system to have its innocent opponents tried in court, the party’s opponents should convince the public. It is obvious they have huge support not only in the Turkish media but in the Western media as well. But it is equally obvious that it is not the tremendous media support that the pro-Ergenekonians lack but convincing and credible arguments. They have never questioned the coups, assassinations, tortures and forced assimilation of minorities by the Kemalist establishment and the undemocratic practices of the state, but now suddenly have become worried that Turkey could become like Putin’s Russia. They lack and will always lack credibility.
March 12, 2011
Hypocrisy in languages: criticizing Fethullah Gülen, English or Turkish?
Abdulhamid Türker*
Fethullah Gülen has been the subject of several books and hundreds of articles, in many languages. Some of these books and articles are very critical of Gülen and the Gülen movement.
If someone wants to understand who Gülen is, the first thing this person would do is to look at the existing literature about him. However, if this person is able to read both English and Turkish, he/she would see two totally different pictures. There is a huge contradiction between the English and Turkish versions of articles critical of Gülen.
Fethullah Gülen has been the subject of several books and hundreds of articles, in many languages. Some of these books and articles are very critical of Gülen and the Gülen movement.
If someone wants to understand who Gülen is, the first thing this person would do is to look at the existing literature about him. However, if this person is able to read both English and Turkish, he/she would see two totally different pictures. There is a huge contradiction between the English and Turkish versions of articles critical of Gülen.
March 11, 2011
Journalism during the time of Ergenekon
Etyen Mahçupyan
The arrests of Nedim Şener and Ahmet Şık have brought a new perspective to the Ergenekon case. Both of these people are award-winning journalists who helped expose a portion of the Ergenekon network and a coup plan.
This is why many people believe that claims about them being members of Ergenekon are absurd and feel there is something else behind their detention. Some people think the two journalists have been arrested because of the book they wrote that contains harsh allegations against the Gülen movement and that they are still interested in probing the activities of the movement. Many felt freedom of the press was being violated and that the Gülen community was using its influence in the judiciary and police to prevent the release of publications that insulted the movement.
The arrests of Nedim Şener and Ahmet Şık have brought a new perspective to the Ergenekon case. Both of these people are award-winning journalists who helped expose a portion of the Ergenekon network and a coup plan.
This is why many people believe that claims about them being members of Ergenekon are absurd and feel there is something else behind their detention. Some people think the two journalists have been arrested because of the book they wrote that contains harsh allegations against the Gülen movement and that they are still interested in probing the activities of the movement. Many felt freedom of the press was being violated and that the Gülen community was using its influence in the judiciary and police to prevent the release of publications that insulted the movement.
March 10, 2011
Promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation: Gulen Movement
Jannah Scott*
I was recently privileged to give the keynote address at the 6th Annual Intercultural Dialogue event sponsored by the Multicultural Mosaic Foundation (MMF) in Denver. The address was attended by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, 25 Colorado state senators and representatives and more than 100 government, faith, community and business leaders.
Inspired by Turkish Muslim scholar, educator and peace activist Fethullah Gulen, MMF is one of 215 volunteer organizations affiliated with the Washington, DC-based Turkic American Alliance. MMF hosts annual events with state and local elected officials, nongovernmental organizations and others to promote dialogue and interfaith cooperation that leads to action.
I was recently privileged to give the keynote address at the 6th Annual Intercultural Dialogue event sponsored by the Multicultural Mosaic Foundation (MMF) in Denver. The address was attended by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, 25 Colorado state senators and representatives and more than 100 government, faith, community and business leaders.
Inspired by Turkish Muslim scholar, educator and peace activist Fethullah Gulen, MMF is one of 215 volunteer organizations affiliated with the Washington, DC-based Turkic American Alliance. MMF hosts annual events with state and local elected officials, nongovernmental organizations and others to promote dialogue and interfaith cooperation that leads to action.
March 9, 2011
The Place of the Gulen Movement in the Intellectual History of Islam
Bruce Eldridge
In the twenty-first century, Islam is living in a world that no longer accepts the great truths of the past. Faith communities that rely for their identity on their history and on their relationship to a God who is no longer fashionable, are being challenged to come to terms with this new, globalized, postmodern world. As part of the world wide faith community of Islam, the movement which has developed around Fethullah Gülen and his ideology is making a serious attempt to come to terms with that world.
In the twenty-first century, Islam is living in a world that no longer accepts the great truths of the past. Faith communities that rely for their identity on their history and on their relationship to a God who is no longer fashionable, are being challenged to come to terms with this new, globalized, postmodern world. As part of the world wide faith community of Islam, the movement which has developed around Fethullah Gülen and his ideology is making a serious attempt to come to terms with that world.
March 7, 2011
The Vision of Fethullah Gulen from Dialogue to Collaboration
Ayse Meva
From the moment I first came into this world 21 years ago, I have seen nothing but war, poverty, pain and suffering, and I couldn't help but lose hope for my future and the future of humanity.
The uncertainties as to the outcome of the future have made countless people anxious and apprehensive. It is so extreme that a single event on the other side of the world tomorrow can drastically change our lives forever. This is a constant struggle and a major concern that has had a negative effect on the plans and dreams of many.
In times like this, marginal people are talking about the clash of civilizations and using this idea to support their arguments with the happenings of today. However, many years before I was born, there was a man who, remarkably, knew that the future of humanity would be in such a terrible condition. And so began his initiative for a worldwide movement to implement a worldwide solution.
From the moment I first came into this world 21 years ago, I have seen nothing but war, poverty, pain and suffering, and I couldn't help but lose hope for my future and the future of humanity.
The uncertainties as to the outcome of the future have made countless people anxious and apprehensive. It is so extreme that a single event on the other side of the world tomorrow can drastically change our lives forever. This is a constant struggle and a major concern that has had a negative effect on the plans and dreams of many.
In times like this, marginal people are talking about the clash of civilizations and using this idea to support their arguments with the happenings of today. However, many years before I was born, there was a man who, remarkably, knew that the future of humanity would be in such a terrible condition. And so began his initiative for a worldwide movement to implement a worldwide solution.
March 3, 2011
A Communitarian Imperative: Fethullah Gülen’s Model of Modern Turkey
Mark Scheel
The inspiration for the [Gülen] movement, M. Fethullah Gülen is often referred to as the “Mahatma Gandhi of Turkey” and “the modern Rumi.” Fethullah Gülen is a teacher, Islamic scholar, thinker, prolific writer and poet of broad and significant influence. The topics of his speeches and writings range beyond religious matters to include education, science, history, economics and social justice. His efforts in world interfaith dialogue and interfaith education have been groundbreaking and monumental. Gülen has observed, “There are so many things we have in common to emphasize.”3 A unique aspect of the movement inspired by his teachings is that it is self-sustaining and self-proliferating, not dependent upon the charisma of its founder but rather upon the efficacy of his vision.
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| Fethullah Gulen |
March 2, 2011
A lasting friendship
Salahuddin Rabbani
Ninety years ago, Afghanistan and Turkey signed a treaty of friendship, on March 1, 1921. Two years before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the Ottoman officials and the representatives of the Afghan government signed the friendship treaty. Two years later in 1923, Afghanistan was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Turkey. With the establishment of the Turkish Republic, the cordial relations that existed between the two brotherly countries further strengthened and entered into a new phase of intense cooperation.
The two countries have always been very close friends. As a true friend, Turkey has always been ready to assist Afghanistan. Turkey’s constructive involvement in Afghanistan is not a recent phenomenon. In the 1920s, when Afghanistan embarked on building a modern National Army, it sought Turkish assistance in building its military institution. The role played by the Turkish officers in building the Afghan Army will always remain as an important part of our history. Turkey’s role, however, was not limited to building our military institutions. Health and education were the other important areas where Turkey played a crucial role.
Ninety years ago, Afghanistan and Turkey signed a treaty of friendship, on March 1, 1921. Two years before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the Ottoman officials and the representatives of the Afghan government signed the friendship treaty. Two years later in 1923, Afghanistan was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Turkey. With the establishment of the Turkish Republic, the cordial relations that existed between the two brotherly countries further strengthened and entered into a new phase of intense cooperation.
The two countries have always been very close friends. As a true friend, Turkey has always been ready to assist Afghanistan. Turkey’s constructive involvement in Afghanistan is not a recent phenomenon. In the 1920s, when Afghanistan embarked on building a modern National Army, it sought Turkish assistance in building its military institution. The role played by the Turkish officers in building the Afghan Army will always remain as an important part of our history. Turkey’s role, however, was not limited to building our military institutions. Health and education were the other important areas where Turkey played a crucial role.
March 1, 2011
Serbian Military Headquarters Turned into a Turkish School
Milliyet
A building in Sarajevo's Vraca neighborhood that was once a command base at which Serbian fascists used to torture Bosnian prisoners during the war (1992-1995) is now serving as a Turkish school where Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian students are receiving an education under the same roof.
The schools founded by Turkish volunteers in the aftermath of the war have become among the most successful schools in the country. The building of the first Turkish school among the 7 elementary and high schools, and a university stands out with a different story.
A building in Sarajevo's Vraca neighborhood that was once a command base at which Serbian fascists used to torture Bosnian prisoners during the war (1992-1995) is now serving as a Turkish school where Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian students are receiving an education under the same roof.
The schools founded by Turkish volunteers in the aftermath of the war have become among the most successful schools in the country. The building of the first Turkish school among the 7 elementary and high schools, and a university stands out with a different story.
February 28, 2011
New university with Turkish collaboration on the cards
The News International
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Turkey have historic and cultural relations and people of both the countries are bound together in strong fraternal ties.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of boys’ hostel in the main campus of Pak-Turk International School and College at Khayaban-e-Jinnah Road here on Sunday, he said Turkey was a sincere friend of Pakistan and it always helped the latter in the hour of need. He said schools and colleges of Pak-Turk Foundation were playing a commendable role for promotion of quality education and the provincial government would extend all-out cooperation to them for the purpose.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Turkey have historic and cultural relations and people of both the countries are bound together in strong fraternal ties.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of boys’ hostel in the main campus of Pak-Turk International School and College at Khayaban-e-Jinnah Road here on Sunday, he said Turkey was a sincere friend of Pakistan and it always helped the latter in the hour of need. He said schools and colleges of Pak-Turk Foundation were playing a commendable role for promotion of quality education and the provincial government would extend all-out cooperation to them for the purpose.
February 27, 2011
Shining Turkish schools cement Iraq’s social unity
Aziz İstegün
Iraq has been experiencing unrest for seven of the last 30 years. The Halabja massacre, the US invasion, the overthrowing of Saddam Hussein, the sectarian conflicts and the problems concerning how to share political power have split the country into three regions, although not de jure: the Shiites to the south, the Sunnis in and around Baghdad and the Kurds to the north.
In Iraq, a country where demands for de jure or de facto segregation are frequently voiced, there are certain institutions that have been advocating peaceful coexistence since 1994. Moreover, these institutions put this idea into practice. The name of these institutions that cement Iraq’s integrity is the Ishik (Light) Schools.
Iraq has been experiencing unrest for seven of the last 30 years. The Halabja massacre, the US invasion, the overthrowing of Saddam Hussein, the sectarian conflicts and the problems concerning how to share political power have split the country into three regions, although not de jure: the Shiites to the south, the Sunnis in and around Baghdad and the Kurds to the north.
In Iraq, a country where demands for de jure or de facto segregation are frequently voiced, there are certain institutions that have been advocating peaceful coexistence since 1994. Moreover, these institutions put this idea into practice. The name of these institutions that cement Iraq’s integrity is the Ishik (Light) Schools.
February 26, 2011
Turkish investors eye Kenyan school sector
Mwakera Mwajefa & Mazera Ndurya
Turkish investors have set their sights on the Kenyan education sector following the success story of a chain of schools in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The four schools, operating under the Light Academy brand, were set up by Turkish businessmen to cater for Kenya’s fast-growing middle class.
The businessmen now plan to establish one more school in Kisumu and a private university.
More than 200 Turkish investors have in the past month visited Nairobi and Mombasa to explore business opportunities.
Turkish investors have set their sights on the Kenyan education sector following the success story of a chain of schools in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The four schools, operating under the Light Academy brand, were set up by Turkish businessmen to cater for Kenya’s fast-growing middle class.
The businessmen now plan to establish one more school in Kisumu and a private university.
More than 200 Turkish investors have in the past month visited Nairobi and Mombasa to explore business opportunities.
February 25, 2011
Turkey, Vietnam sign MoU to bolster bilateral ties
Ömer Şahin
Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, who embarked on a Southeast Asian tour last weekend, signed a memorandum of understanding Vu (MoU) with Vietnam's Minister of Trade and Industry V Huy Hoàng in Hanoi on Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, who embarked on a Southeast Asian tour last weekend, signed a memorandum of understanding Vu (MoU) with Vietnam's Minister of Trade and Industry V Huy Hoàng in Hanoi on Wednesday.
February 24, 2011
Caught unprepared
Kerim Balcı
I have always admired my nation’s solution-oriented creativity in times of crisis. Whenever a problem emerges, a brilliant touch of genius comes out and finds a way either to bypass or to solve, or at least to internalize and make peace with, the problem.
This is, I believe, one of the human sides of my nation, as opposed to the systemic successes of the Western mind. There, the system assures that the people should not make mistakes; here, the people find ways to cope with the mistakes and even turn them into success stories.
I have always admired my nation’s solution-oriented creativity in times of crisis. Whenever a problem emerges, a brilliant touch of genius comes out and finds a way either to bypass or to solve, or at least to internalize and make peace with, the problem.
This is, I believe, one of the human sides of my nation, as opposed to the systemic successes of the Western mind. There, the system assures that the people should not make mistakes; here, the people find ways to cope with the mistakes and even turn them into success stories.
February 23, 2011
Zaman University
Ret. Rev. Dr. Yap Kim Hao
Zaman University was officially opened in Phnom Penh on February 21. 2011 by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Turkey signalling the significance of this event. This educational development was encouraged by the government of Cambodia and responded by the Turkish Muslim community who are inspired and guided by the Gulen movement. They have established educational institutions in Eastern Europe, Asia and even in the United States. These schools promote high standards of education in science and technology, inter-faith relations and moral and spiritual value regardless of race & religion, sex & gender preference as their contribution to the 21st century in this pluralistic world.
Business people in Turkey voluntary contributed to support this noble endeavour. For this occasion 60 businessmen flew in from Turkey to participate in the Opening Ceremony.
Zaman University was officially opened in Phnom Penh on February 21. 2011 by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Turkey signalling the significance of this event. This educational development was encouraged by the government of Cambodia and responded by the Turkish Muslim community who are inspired and guided by the Gulen movement. They have established educational institutions in Eastern Europe, Asia and even in the United States. These schools promote high standards of education in science and technology, inter-faith relations and moral and spiritual value regardless of race & religion, sex & gender preference as their contribution to the 21st century in this pluralistic world.
Business people in Turkey voluntary contributed to support this noble endeavour. For this occasion 60 businessmen flew in from Turkey to participate in the Opening Ceremony.
February 22, 2011
The Turkish School in Kathmandu made a dream come true
Zaman
Ahmet Davutoglu the first Turkish foreign secretary who went to Nepal visited Meridian Turkish School. Davutoglu addressed to the students in Turkish school and said that: "My first visit to Nepal was in 1993. If someone had told me that a Turkish school would be opened in Kathmandu, the students in that school would learn to speak Turkish and would sing Turkish songs, I would think that it would be only a dream. But now I see that these devoted Turkish teachers realized that dream and I'd like to thank to all of the teachers”.
Ahmet Davutoglu the first Turkish foreign secretary who went to Nepal visited Meridian Turkish School. Davutoglu addressed to the students in Turkish school and said that: "My first visit to Nepal was in 1993. If someone had told me that a Turkish school would be opened in Kathmandu, the students in that school would learn to speak Turkish and would sing Turkish songs, I would think that it would be only a dream. But now I see that these devoted Turkish teachers realized that dream and I'd like to thank to all of the teachers”.
February 21, 2011
The Gülen Movement: Paradigms, Projects and Aspirations
Simon Robinson
The Gülen movement has become an area of study on its own. No year passes without an academic or semiacademic conference being held in a Western university. This year the Niagara Foundation of Chicago, together with several academic institutions, organized "The Gülen movement: Paradigms, Projects and Aspirations" conference. Professor Simon Robinson was there not only to participate, but also to cover the event for Turkish Review.
The Gülen movement has become an area of study on its own. No year passes without an academic or semiacademic conference being held in a Western university. This year the Niagara Foundation of Chicago, together with several academic institutions, organized "The Gülen movement: Paradigms, Projects and Aspirations" conference. Professor Simon Robinson was there not only to participate, but also to cover the event for Turkish Review.
February 20, 2011
Fethullah Gülen: An Islamic sign of hope for an inclusive Europe
Paul Weller*
As Europe heads deeper into economic recession, political crises and loss of social equilibrium, an increasingly diverse continent faces potentially serious challenges to cohesion, justice and equity.
The Europe of history, rather than of ideology, has always been a context for religious and cultural diversity, with a longstanding and substantial presence of Jews and Muslims, as well as Christians. But there have also always been ideological attempts to deny and/or destroy that diversity. This began when pre-Christian pagan traditions were replaced with Christianity --often (though not always) by means of force.
As Europe heads deeper into economic recession, political crises and loss of social equilibrium, an increasingly diverse continent faces potentially serious challenges to cohesion, justice and equity.
The Europe of history, rather than of ideology, has always been a context for religious and cultural diversity, with a longstanding and substantial presence of Jews and Muslims, as well as Christians. But there have also always been ideological attempts to deny and/or destroy that diversity. This began when pre-Christian pagan traditions were replaced with Christianity --often (though not always) by means of force.
February 19, 2011
Oxford Analytica versus Turkish democracy
İhsan Yılmaz
Last week the US ambassador to Turkey created havoc when he directly commented on a legal case and declared that he was confused about freedom of the press in Turkey. The case in point concerns the infamous Ergenekon terrorist organization and journalist Soner Yalçın, who has been charged for being a member of the organization.
Based on the evidence presented to it, a court has jailed Mr. Yalçın pending trial. I am sure that within a few months we will able to read the indictment and evaluate for ourselves if he is in prison for his journalistic activities or if journalism was a cover for his illegal activities. But some in Turkey, including the US ambassador, have been quick to claim that Mr. Yalçın is innocent and that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement have been unjustly trying to silence the opposition.
Last week the US ambassador to Turkey created havoc when he directly commented on a legal case and declared that he was confused about freedom of the press in Turkey. The case in point concerns the infamous Ergenekon terrorist organization and journalist Soner Yalçın, who has been charged for being a member of the organization.
Based on the evidence presented to it, a court has jailed Mr. Yalçın pending trial. I am sure that within a few months we will able to read the indictment and evaluate for ourselves if he is in prison for his journalistic activities or if journalism was a cover for his illegal activities. But some in Turkey, including the US ambassador, have been quick to claim that Mr. Yalçın is innocent and that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement have been unjustly trying to silence the opposition.
February 18, 2011
A Turkish citizen spreads a message of love and coexistence from the U.S.
Brian Knowlton
Fethullah Gülen is a name that was discovered by the world media only recently. He and the vast education network operating throughout the world that sympathizes with his thoughts received the attention of Western intellectuals primarily because he was seen as the antithesis of radical Islam. Gülen, though, does not have a dialectic view of history and does not want to be labeled 'anti' anything.
Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish educator and spiritual leader, has lived in a bucolic retreat outside the small town of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, since 1998. That was the location of a wide-ranging interview granted earlier this year to Brian Knowlton from the International Herald Tribune. The following text is based both on the interview and on questions submitted earlier to Mr. Gülen; the answers were translated from the Turkish by his assistants. Together they formed the basis of an article by Mr. Knowlton that appeared both in the International Herald Tribune and on the website of The New York Times.
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| Fethullah Gulen |
Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish educator and spiritual leader, has lived in a bucolic retreat outside the small town of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, since 1998. That was the location of a wide-ranging interview granted earlier this year to Brian Knowlton from the International Herald Tribune. The following text is based both on the interview and on questions submitted earlier to Mr. Gülen; the answers were translated from the Turkish by his assistants. Together they formed the basis of an article by Mr. Knowlton that appeared both in the International Herald Tribune and on the website of The New York Times.
February 17, 2011
Islam and Peace: Oxymoron or perfect match?
Hakan Yeşilova
For many decades, perhaps centuries, "Islam" and "peace" were a pair of incongruous words. "Peace" was like Troy, many thought, and Muslims were the attacking Greeks -- how fictional or factual Homer's "Iliad" was, and thus how true it was that Troy lay in the East and was innocent, is a matter of research yet to be convincingly conducted.
For many decades, perhaps centuries, "Islam" and "peace" were a pair of incongruous words. "Peace" was like Troy, many thought, and Muslims were the attacking Greeks -- how fictional or factual Homer's "Iliad" was, and thus how true it was that Troy lay in the East and was innocent, is a matter of research yet to be convincingly conducted.
February 16, 2011
Can Turkey Inspire Reform in the Muslim World?: A closer look to the Gulen Movement
Tarek Ezzat
Independence is possibly one of the main reasons of its success, and the fact that Turkey was one of the few Muslim countries which was not subject to foreign occupation during the era of European Colonial expansion in the 19th. & 20th. Century. A second factor is Turkey's geographical location and its close contact with Europe, as part of Turkey is in fact inside Europe, which facilitated the transfer of knowledge and experiences during the last century from other European countries, like Germany, France.
There is today another positive experience of comprehensive reform taking place in a Muslim country, which is also of wide interest to all Muslims, that of Malaysia. Though it was one of the Muslim countries that suffered from foreign occupation, it was fortunate enough to be governed for nearly 20 years by a leader with vision, Dr. Mahatir Muhammad, who managed to create a strategy and master plan for Malaysia in the 21st century, and who was able to implement that plan with focus on better education and development leading to a strong economy and the country's rapid progress and modernization.
Independence is possibly one of the main reasons of its success, and the fact that Turkey was one of the few Muslim countries which was not subject to foreign occupation during the era of European Colonial expansion in the 19th. & 20th. Century. A second factor is Turkey's geographical location and its close contact with Europe, as part of Turkey is in fact inside Europe, which facilitated the transfer of knowledge and experiences during the last century from other European countries, like Germany, France.
There is today another positive experience of comprehensive reform taking place in a Muslim country, which is also of wide interest to all Muslims, that of Malaysia. Though it was one of the Muslim countries that suffered from foreign occupation, it was fortunate enough to be governed for nearly 20 years by a leader with vision, Dr. Mahatir Muhammad, who managed to create a strategy and master plan for Malaysia in the 21st century, and who was able to implement that plan with focus on better education and development leading to a strong economy and the country's rapid progress and modernization.
February 11, 2011
Turkish experience in Sudan: Making a difference
Abdullah Bozkurt
I was not planning to end up in Darfur last week when I booked the flight to Ankara from Strasbourg, where I covered the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In fact, the next day, I was already scheduled to depart for Egypt to meet with the prime minister, foreign minister and other Egyptian officials until I got a last-minute call during a short layover in Munich for a connecting flight.
An official on the phone from the Egyptian Embassy in Ankara was advising me to delay my departure until the dust settled in his homeland. I heeded his advice and cancelled my booking to Cairo. The next day all the officials I was supposed to meet for a series of interviews were sacked by President Hosni Mubarak in an effort to calm growing protest movements. In a way it turned out to be good advice when I saw footage of my colleagues getting beat up and taken away by pro-government thugs in the Egyptian capital.
I was not planning to end up in Darfur last week when I booked the flight to Ankara from Strasbourg, where I covered the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In fact, the next day, I was already scheduled to depart for Egypt to meet with the prime minister, foreign minister and other Egyptian officials until I got a last-minute call during a short layover in Munich for a connecting flight.
An official on the phone from the Egyptian Embassy in Ankara was advising me to delay my departure until the dust settled in his homeland. I heeded his advice and cancelled my booking to Cairo. The next day all the officials I was supposed to meet for a series of interviews were sacked by President Hosni Mubarak in an effort to calm growing protest movements. In a way it turned out to be good advice when I saw footage of my colleagues getting beat up and taken away by pro-government thugs in the Egyptian capital.
February 10, 2011
Book Review: Faith, Theology and Service in Peacebuilding
Stanley Ridge*
Fethullah Gülen's work and thinking starts and ends in faith. In a world that commonly extends conflict by speaking of religion either in stereotyped or in ideologized terms, this is a refreshingly engaged perspective.
Faced with the challenge of mounting hostility between the Islamic world and the West, and with belligerent and increasingly fundamentalist groups on both sides supposedly speaking in the name of religion, the need for peacebuilding with integrity is pressing. The writers of different traditions whose essays resonate here explore the faith-based ideas of one of this century's seminal thinkers and tease out their implications and potential for peacebuilding.
Fethullah Gülen's work and thinking starts and ends in faith. In a world that commonly extends conflict by speaking of religion either in stereotyped or in ideologized terms, this is a refreshingly engaged perspective.
Faced with the challenge of mounting hostility between the Islamic world and the West, and with belligerent and increasingly fundamentalist groups on both sides supposedly speaking in the name of religion, the need for peacebuilding with integrity is pressing. The writers of different traditions whose essays resonate here explore the faith-based ideas of one of this century's seminal thinkers and tease out their implications and potential for peacebuilding.
February 9, 2011
Islamic Democrats and the Turkish Model
Ahmad Ali Khalid
There is a realisation that the state must be secular in its institutions but liberal in its outlook, allowing for multiple voices in the public sphere. What we are seeing in the Muslim world is perhaps a return towards the early models of Islamic governance put forward by Islamic reformists and liberals.
The Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) and organisations like the Gulen movement represent the logical culmination of the democratic aspirations of the Muslim world. The combination of religious philosophy and liberal values whilst adopting secular state institutions and allowing religious voices a role in the public sphere is the most reasonable framework of democratic governance available to us. ‘Public Islam’ is desirable, but ‘state Islam’ is inevitably totalitarian.
The Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) and organisations like the Gulen movement represent the logical culmination of the democratic aspirations of the Muslim world. The combination of religious philosophy and liberal values whilst adopting secular state institutions and allowing religious voices a role in the public sphere is the most reasonable framework of democratic governance available to us. ‘Public Islam’ is desirable, but ‘state Islam’ is inevitably totalitarian.
February 8, 2011
Is the Gülen Movement a Religious Order? *
M. Enes Ergene
Even though the essential dynamics of the Gülen movement look similar to those of the classical Islamic tradition of spiritual orders in certain aspects, its organization is different with regard to producing civil initiatives and its way of acculturation.
Even though the essential dynamics of the Gülen movement look similar to those of the classical Islamic tradition of spiritual orders in certain aspects, its organization is different with regard to producing civil initiatives and its way of acculturation.
February 6, 2011
Defending Religious Diversity and Tolerance in America Today: Lessons from Fethullah Gülen
The Rev. Loye Ashton, Ph.D., Millsaps College
How does Fethullah Gülen integrate both commitment to his own faith and tolerance toward the faith of others? There are at least three approaches within his work that are especially rich for exploring this question.
How does Fethullah Gülen integrate both commitment to his own faith and tolerance toward the faith of others? There are at least three approaches within his work that are especially rich for exploring this question.
February 5, 2011
Esposito: Authoritarian versus democratic politics defines the Turkish debate
Interview with John L. Esposito
An alternative elite group is emerging in Turkey, and Turkey is moving at a good pace in terms of democratization. Certain people speaking to the American audience define the debate in Turkey as a clash between secularists and Islamists, but it is more an issue of democratic versus more authoritarian politics.
In the past you might not have been able to get a position in a university if you had a religious profile, but now, one has to move beyond that. The Turkish government is working with the EU, US and Israel independently on the issues that it sees as in its own national interest.
An alternative elite group is emerging in Turkey, and Turkey is moving at a good pace in terms of democratization. Certain people speaking to the American audience define the debate in Turkey as a clash between secularists and Islamists, but it is more an issue of democratic versus more authoritarian politics.
In the past you might not have been able to get a position in a university if you had a religious profile, but now, one has to move beyond that. The Turkish government is working with the EU, US and Israel independently on the issues that it sees as in its own national interest.
February 4, 2011
Fethullah Gülen's Response to the "Clash of Civilizations" Thesis
Prof. Richard Penaskovic, Auburn University
What does Fethullah Gülen say about the clash of civilizations? Gülen does not mince words. He fears that such talk about a clash of civilizations might become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Gülen notes that as a consequence of such a claim readers may form expectations in the very same way they expect an answer to prayer. By arguing that the future will involve a clash of civilizations, Huntington converts such an expectation into a purposeful goal. Gülen fears that with such a goal in mind, various policies and strategies will then be marshaled to reach and attain such a goal.
Gülen also has a different vision of the future than does Mr. Huntington. Where Huntington speaks of conflict between civilizations and variant cultures, Gülen is much more sanguine and upbeat about the future. For example, Gülen speaks to the importance of knowledge and education, which if done properly can avert any clash of civilizations. Mr. Gülen equates knowledge and power. Everything in the future will be in the orbit of knowledge.
What does Fethullah Gülen say about the clash of civilizations? Gülen does not mince words. He fears that such talk about a clash of civilizations might become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Gülen notes that as a consequence of such a claim readers may form expectations in the very same way they expect an answer to prayer. By arguing that the future will involve a clash of civilizations, Huntington converts such an expectation into a purposeful goal. Gülen fears that with such a goal in mind, various policies and strategies will then be marshaled to reach and attain such a goal.
Gülen also has a different vision of the future than does Mr. Huntington. Where Huntington speaks of conflict between civilizations and variant cultures, Gülen is much more sanguine and upbeat about the future. For example, Gülen speaks to the importance of knowledge and education, which if done properly can avert any clash of civilizations. Mr. Gülen equates knowledge and power. Everything in the future will be in the orbit of knowledge.
February 3, 2011
Turkey is our guiding star, says Kyrgyz prime minister
Aydın Pazarcı
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan today. The two-day visit, during which the prime minister will be joined by a large delegation, including State Minister Zafer Çağlayan as well as many business figures and journalists, is notable for being the first such high-profile visit in seven years.
In a pre-visit interview with Today’s Zaman, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev said: “Turkey is our North Star, and as Turkey grows and develops, it stands as an example for us. It opens the way forward for its brother nations.” Speaking very good Turkish, Atambayev underscored the importance of this visit by Erdoğan, noting that it means much from the perspective of showing support for the newly formed Kyrgyz government.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed. Turkey, our brother nation, has always been by our side. Our nation has had a particularly trying time since last April, and we have noted Turkey’s presence by our side during these times. Turkey has not withheld a single act of generosity from us,” Atambayev said.
In a pre-visit interview with Today’s Zaman, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev said: “Turkey is our North Star, and as Turkey grows and develops, it stands as an example for us. It opens the way forward for its brother nations.” Speaking very good Turkish, Atambayev underscored the importance of this visit by Erdoğan, noting that it means much from the perspective of showing support for the newly formed Kyrgyz government.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed. Turkey, our brother nation, has always been by our side. Our nation has had a particularly trying time since last April, and we have noted Turkey’s presence by our side during these times. Turkey has not withheld a single act of generosity from us,” Atambayev said.
February 2, 2011
Fethullah Gulen’s Care for All Creation as a Means to Nonviolence
Prof. Eileen Eppig, College of Notre Dame
The nonviolent and peaceful lifestyle of Fethullah Gulen reflects the Sufi belief that love is the essential element in every creature. Gulen’s own love extends to the entire universe, which is meant to be “read” by human beings in order to achieve faith, knowledge, and closeness to God. With traditional Sufi theology, Gulen relates the inner meaning of the Qur’an to the inner meaning of the natural world. The Qur’an and the universe are two expressions of the same truth.
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| Fethullah Gulen |
The Qur’an calls on human beings to study creation for the sake of knowing the Creator. The natural world, like the Qur’an, reveals the Divine Names and so has a kind of sacredness in it. The universe teaches human beings to demonstrate compassion, not only to other humans, but to every living creature. Gulen calls this “the grand orchestra of love.” All creation is to be loved in the way of God’s loving, replacing violence and hatred with peace and harmony.
January 29, 2011
Condolences and denouncement of terror
M. Fethullah Gülen
All acts of terrorism are major blows dealt to peace and serenity. No matter what the motive behind it is, an act of terror can by no means be accepted or approved of. Major acts of terror in past years have not only impacted the geography where they were carried out, but have also damaged world peace.
For this reason, I harshly denounce the attack that took place at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport no matter by whom and for what purpose it was staged, and I condemn terror. I extend my condolences to the family members of the victims and the Russian people and the Russian authorities. I also hope the injured will get well soon, and I would like to say I share their pain.
Published on en.fgulen.com, 29 January 2011, Saturday
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