Volunteers Back from Medical Service in Somalia

Volunteer doctors of BALSADER (Balikesir Health Volunteers Association) in cooperation with Kimse Yok Mu, TIKA (The Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency), Agean International Health Federation, who were in Somalia as a part of “Somalia Medical Aid Project” are now back home in Balikesir. Otolaryngologists Dr. Huseyin Bali, ophthalmologist Dr. Saban Ugurlu, anesthesiologist Kasim Gurel provided free medical care to Somalis for 15 days at the capital Mogadishu.

Benin seeks development with investments of Turkish enterprises

In an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman, Benin's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nassirou Bako-Arifari said the purpose of his recent visit to Turkey was to strengthen cooperation between the countries and to seek the benefits of the wide expansion of investments of Turkish enterprises.

New book looks closer into Hizmet Movement with questions, answers

A newly published book by Professor Muhammed Çetin, a sociologist who has done extensive academic work on social movements and who now serves as a lawmaker in the Turkish Parliament, offers comprehensive information on the faith-based Gülen movement, answering hundreds of questions on the movement.

A bridge from the US to the Turkic world

Arzu Kaya Uranlı

I was at the third convention of the Turkic American Association (TAA) and the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists’ (TUSKON) mutual event: the annual Turkic American Convention (TAC) in Washington, D.C., last week.

Baykal visits Turkish school in Morocco

Former Republican People’s Party leader Deniz Baykal visited the Turkish school in Morocco. Highly impressed by the students’ Turkish, Baykal expressed his gratitude to their teachers.

The Imrali peace process and defaming Hizmet Movement

İhsan Yılmaz

After the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan's comments to the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies visiting him on İmralı Island were leaked to the press, almost everybody asked who was behind the leak. The main suspicion was that it was leaked by one who did not want the peace negotiations to be successful. Yet, not surprisingly, some -- including one BDP deputy -- blamed the Hizmet movement for this, as they blame Hizmet for everything under the sun. Now that the BDP has confessed that some of its own members gave the remarks to the press, those who falsely accused Hizmet must also apologize.

US Congress members reaffirm unbreakable bonds with Turks

Dozens of members of the United States Congress have reaffirmed strong ties and growing friendship between Turks and Americans in an annual grand convention that also brought together businessmen and public figures.

The effect of ‘soft power' on Turkey's rapid development

Bülent Keneş

While every country in the world has its own sources of soft power, only some are really aware of these sources. As for Turkey -- which possesses a vital geopolitical position and military strength, a deep-rooted history and a rich culture and sees the future of economic and socio-political development as being intertwined with such universal values as basic human rights and freedoms, the superiority of justice and a liberal economy -- it is a country with extremely rich sources of soft power.

Fethullah Gülen conveys get well soon message for PM Erdoğan

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has conveyed his “get well soon” wishes to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was taken to a hospital on Tuesday after catching a cold.

Turkic American Convention kicks off with opening gala cruise

The third annual Turkic American Convention began on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., in an opening gala cruise with the participation of politicians from the US, Turkey and the Turkic republics.

Ergun Poyraz to pay compensation for slandering Fethullah Gulen in his book

Ergun Poyraz, defendant detainee of Ergenekon Trial, was fined for violating the rights of Fethullah Gulen, in his book "The Imam in America". With the lawsuit that is filed by Orhan Erdemli, Gulen's lawyer, Poyraz Publishing and Bizim Avrasya Publishing were sentenced to a total of 5 thousand Turkish Liras compensation.

TAA holding annual Turkic American Convention in Washington

The Turkic American Alliance (TAA), the largest national Turkic organization in the US, is holding its third annual Turkic American Convention in Washington, D.C., on March 12-13 in cooperation with the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON).

Turkish delegation calls on Chief Minister

LAHORE: A Turkish delegation led by Chairman International Turkish NGO, Kimse Yok Mu, Onal Ozturk met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at Model Town here on Tuesday.

Kimse Yok Mu aid cheers up Albanian community in Petrella

Cihan News Agency

Kimse Yok Mu relief foundation extended its hands to poverty-stricken community trying to survive harsh winter conditions in Petrella, one of the first settlements to welcome Ottomans in central Albania. Foundation official Mustafa Ilhan reported that aid packages of one-month food supply from Turkey have been delivered to the needy in Petrella county.

“Noah’s Pudding Approach” to Address Immigration Problem

Gulen Institute, jointly established by Houston University Graduate College of Social Work and Institute of Dialogue in Texas continuous to offer solutions and encourage action for challenges the contemporary world is facing. Youth Platform, which is an annually-held international essay contest under the institute’s umbrella, has recently announced the winners of 2013 essay contest with the prompt “Hospitality in the Global Village” which encouraged high school students to reflect on immigration problems and offer potential solutions.

Fethullah Gülen's poems turned into songs for international album

Album's back cover (click to enlarge)

Artists from twelve different countries composed music for poems written by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who is known for his global message of peace and inter-faith tolerance, for an album titled “Colors of Peace-Rise Up” to promote peace and tolerance.

Support for the process along with aphorisms

Ekrem Dumanlı

…In reference to the power and influence of a statement, wise people in the past offered a definition of remark consistent with the requirements of the time and the place. The author of “Muhakemat” (The Reasonings) adds two elements in his review of the elements of speech: those who say the words and the person who these words are addressed to. This is the core of the matter. Who says the words and to whom they are said. Every remark made by friends and brothers whose hearts are filled with love for humanity and for the nation becomes more important and valuable. Therefore, who made the statement should be considered first and then their constructive efforts should also be taken into account.

Women in Islam: Muslim Perspectives and Fethullah Gülen

M. Sait Yavuz*

This article argues that one does not necessarily need to fully accept or reject either the conservative arguments or the modernist/feminist conceptions. The Islamic tradition and modern concepts are not mutually exclusive, as the Islamic tradition, on the one hand, is flexible enough to open new venues for modern ways of life, and modernity, on the other, favors the principle that each individual has the right to choose any lifestyle that she thinks it as the best for herself.

What kind of a change does Fethullah Gulen offer?

Fethullah Gülen offers his followers a Turkish renaissance. The caveat for this renaissance, however, is that it can only happen in a society, which has achieved peace and tranquility. Most people are attracted to the idea of civil law through consensus rather than imposing; ethics and morality based on acceptance, not forcing; and an understanding of solidarity, not based on favor but working hard, producing, and sharing; and the suggestion on top everything that the individual is responsible for the entire society as well as for himself. What is offered is not “a nation of the state,” but the idea of an [social] order and a nation based on the citizens’ partnership. (1)

TUSKON sees $30 mln in Morocco textile contracts

The recent visit by a Turkish business delegation to Morocco has seen companies secure textile deals worth $30 million, the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) has announced.

Discussion on Öcalan's comments

Emre Uslu

…what Öcalan said in the leaked minutes from the meeting is highly problematic for a number of reasons. For instance, there is an understanding that the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and Öcalan, under the guidance of Erdoğan, are preparing operations against the Gülen movement. Since the movement has given support to the negotiation process, there is no point in Öcalan targeting them unless he is being dictated to politically. Even people who are close to PKK networks are surprised that Öcalan has targeted this group. Whether it is true or not, once AKP supporters focus on the substance of what Öcalan said, it will seriously harm the AKP government, as the Gülen movement and supporters of the AKP have similar roots in the society.

Egyptian Professor: Turkish Schools to Guarantee Global Peace

Cihan News Agency

Professor Abdurrahman El Nakib

A conference titled “Turkish Schools established around the world” by Gokkusagi Education Health Culture and Solidarity Association took place in the port city Dortyol in Hatay, Turkey. The highlight of the conference was Mansura University Professor Abdurrahman El Nakib who commented that Turkish schools raising virtuous students worldwide guarantee global peace in the future.

Minister of Defense Yilmaz Visits Turkish School in Tokyo

Besides his official contacts on various levels in Japan, Turkish Minister of National Defense Ismet Yilmaz visited the Turkish-operated Jingumae International School located centrally in the capital Tokyo and was briefed on the school’s activities during his stay.

Brainstorming on the leaked minutes

Hüseyin Gülerce

…Why does Öcalan speak in that manner? The heart of the matter is the way Öcalan speaks. Öcalan speaks as he is told. He speaks about everything, but refuses to support the process. He says he gave the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) political power on a golden tray and has been keeping the AK Party in power for the last 10 years, and he says he saved the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) head, etc. He blacklists people. He makes certain people the target of attacks. He speaks ill of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, Fethullah Gülen, etc. Why? For two reasons. First, he reflects the mentality of the deep state. Second, he cannot bear the fraternity project of this nation. Today, about 100,000 primary school children of Kurdish citizens in the southeastern provinces attend reading centers free of charge to prepare for high school entrance exams. This project prevents the terrorist organization from recruiting new members and, therefore, drives all separatists crazy.…

Dialogue Eurasia Institute Opens in Astana

A new dialogue institute has been launched within Eurasia State University in Astana. The institute, jointly founded by Dialogue Eurasia Platform, Kazakhstan Historians Association, Kazakhstan Theologians Association and Kazakh TV will offer classes on the lives and contributions of influential personalities in the fields of history, politics, and philosophy.

Minister praises Journalists and Writers Foundation for courageous coverage

Family and Social Policy Minister Fatma Şahin has praised the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) for its members' courageous coverage of important issues at a time when the country is taking steps for democratization.

Ocalan invests in the post-Imrali era

Bülent Keneş

The aftershocks from the leaking of the minutes of a meeting held last week between three pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies and Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, jailed on İmralı Island off the İstanbul coast, are still showing no signs of abating. The debate on the content of the leaked minutes was the top agenda item of the speeches political party leaders delivered during their addresses to the parliamentary groups of their respective parties on Tuesday. Apparently, this debate will continue to shake the country for some time to come. So, let me announce my support to any effort that might lead to the elimination of terror and violence before moving to expound on my views about the leaked minutes.

Turkish schools helped start trade between Turkey and Ghana

John Dramani Mahama, the President of Ghana, spoke in Istanbul at the Turkiye-Ghana Business and Investment Forum, which was organized by TUSKON (The Confederation of Turkish Industrialists and Entrepreneurs). He said that Turkish schools provided with qualified employees in his country. Mr. Mahama invited Turkish entrepreneurs to do more investment and open more schools in Ghana.

Fethullah Gulen’s poetry in songs “Rise Up-Colors of Peace” released

A new song album of Fethullah Gulen’s English-translated poems has been released. The album titled “Rise up-Colors of Peace,” featuring poems by Gulen composed into songs, has been released jointly by Nil Production and Universal Music after two years of recording.

Educator volunteers in the Gulen movement

Q: The Gülen Movement provides educational opportunities to youth, who otherwise could not attend higher educational institutions. What inspires them to eventually volunteer as educators themselves throughout the world?

Curiosity increases as Hizmet Grows

Now a website is available for any questions about Hizmet Movement: http://www.hizmetesorulanlar.org/homepage.html. Every question turning over in minds about Hizmet is offered an answer on the website designed by Journalists and Writers Foundation.

Indonesian-Turkish Schools host 5th Science Olympiads

Turkish schools in Indonesia hosted the 5th Annual Indonesia Science Project Olympiads (ISPO) on February 26-28.

“Infinite Light” seminars excite interest in Indonesia

Upon the high interest that the recent seminars analyzing the book The Messenger of God: Muhammad saw during Mawlid al-Nebi, a series of events of the same nature came along throughout the month in Indonesia. A total of 14 seminars and conferences were held at Indonesia’s several prominent universities and hotels. People from different walks of life have participated in the ongoing series of events so far.

Eskisehir Delegation visits Crimea Simferopol International School

As a part of the publicity efforts for "Eskisehir 2013 Capital of Turkic Culture" project in Crimea, a delegation from Eskisehir province of Turkey visited Simferopol International School. Eskisehir Governor Kadir Kocdemir, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Eskisehir Deputy Ulker Can, Republican People’s Party Eskisehir Deputy Kazim Kurt, Turkish Consul General to Odesa Huseyin Ergani, Cifteler (an Eskisehir district) Mayor Metin Ozen and Eskisehir Osmangazi University’s former Rector Prof. Fazil Tekin constituted the group.

'MIT targets us'

Emre Uslu

Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader and chief negotiator of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has met with three Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies and shared his view on the peace negotiations. Records of the meeting were leaked to the media, which expectedly sparked an immense debate.

Lawyer: Claims about Fethullah Gülen in leaked Imralı logs baseless

Fethullah Gulen

The lawyer of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has strongly dismissed claims against Gülen in the leaked minutes of the Imralı meeting between three pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies and the imprisoned leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) last weekend as baseless and groundless.

‘Deep powers' take action as Imralı meeting leaked to sabotage peace

The minutes of a recent meeting between three pro-Kurdish deputies and the jailed leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were leaked to the press on Thursday, in what has been interpreted as an apparent move to sabotage the positive atmosphere around Turkey's latest effort to end the decades-long conflict that has engulfed the country's Southeast.

History of the Educational Projects of the Gulen Movement

Helen Rose Ebaugh

Mr. Gülen, together with administrators of the Kestanepazari institution and with the support of local businessmen organized summer camps for middle and high school students, as well as university students. These camps taught secular education courses in areas such as history and biology but also provided religious discussions on issues such as the role of Islam in public debates. Mr. Gülen often evoked the life of Muhammad and the classical period of the Ottoman Empire as good examples of ways in which fidelity to the precepts of Islam promoted greatness.

A Guidebook to Gulen Movement

Kenan Taş

Nationally and globally, the Gulen Movement has been one of the most widely mentioned social movements. Whether you name it Cemaat (community) or Hizmet (service), the indisputable truth is that the movement remains a mystery box for the outsiders and those unacquainted with it. Masses are wondering what the movement’s goals and strategies are and whether it has a "hidden agenda" or not. Thus the movement naturally feels the need to explain itself.

Turkish School Officially Opens in Rwanda

Hope Kids Academy, an international Turkish school located in Kigali's prime suburb of Nyarutarama, was on Friday evening officially opened.

Gulen Movement participants have been serving Northern Iraq for 19 years

Ruşen Çakır

If there is a Turkish factor in Iraq Kurdistan (Northern Iraq), Gulen Movement volunteers made an enormous contribution to this for almost 20 years. In spite of terrible conditions, they founded the first [Gulen-inspired] school in 1994 in Arbil. Today they run 18 schools in Iraq Kurdistan, one of which is Ishik University that was founded in 2008. They run 12 schools in southern Iraq.

TAA to hold annual Turkic American Convention in Washington

The Turkic American Alliance (TAA), the largest national Turkic organization in the US, is to hold its third annual Turkic American Convention in Washington, D.C., on March 12-13 in cooperation with the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON).

Somalia: Turkish Schools Strive for a Brighter Future

Future of Somalia, striving to combat the famine that the civil war and severe drought left behind, is raised at Somali-Turkish schools in the country. A total of 390 students -30 elementary and 360 high school- are receiving education at three different schools operated by Nile Institutions.

Writers, journalists gather to discuss media’s role in social cohesion

Prominent writers, academics and representatives from various media organizations gathered on Saturday in the Kurdish-populated province of Diyarbakır to discuss the role of the media in promoting social cohesion.

Preventing Violence and Achieving World Peace: The Contributions of the Gulen Movement

How can we address the seemingly endless conflicts in the world, particularly those arising from misunderstandings of Islam by both Muslims and non-Muslims?

An in-depth Interview with TUSKON President Meral

Ünal Tanık

TUSKON is one of the most recognized business associations of the last decade. Its initiatives are believed to play a critical role in reducing the impacts of global economic crisis following 2008 that severely struck European Union and the US, and in Turkey’s expansion in Africa. TUSKON President Rizanur Meral revealed that they are about to launch an initiative to boost women's involvement in the business world. Meral has been holding TUSKON’s presidency for 7 years now prioritizing to be a business coach over his own successful career. Below is the interview with President Meral:

Scholars call for EU negotiations, domestic reform

Menekse Tokyay

As Turkey's EU bid has stalled, a group of prominent scholars agree that negotiations can only proceed if Turkey advances democracy, drafts a new civilian constitution and resolves of the Kurdish issue.

TUSKON at the forefront of economic expansion in Africa

Fazila Mat

In recent years, Turkey's interest in the African continent has been growing rapidly. Africa's expectations towards Ankara are also extremely high, as the Somalia case shows.

'Gulen Movement has been the driving force behind many of the new relationships between Turkey and sub-Saharan African nations'

Julia Harte*

…In recent years, plenty of madrasas have already been established in Somalia by foreign powers, especially Gulf states. Even the most devastated areas have access to some form of religious education. But that just makes Turkey’s efforts to spread its form of moderate Islam an even more important strategic move, according to Mehmet Arda, professor of international relations at Istanbul’s Galatasaray University. “Turkey is saying, ‘If it’s going to be an Islamic state, better that it be an Islamic state according to our version of Islam than someone else’s,’” Arda states.

Outcome of Dakar Conference on Hizmet (Gulen Movement)

A two-day international conference aimed at proposing a critical reflection for appraising the links between social cohesion and diversity in a globalized world has ended in Dakar, Senegal.

Tens of thousands compete for Azerbaijani

“Love your mother tongue!” contest, intended to promote proper comprehension, use and transfer of Azerbaijani language to new generations, attracted over 38 thousands students from some 1,115 schools across the country, on February 18.

Senegalese PM Addresses Gulen Movement Conference in Dakar

Abdoul Mbaye*

Headmaster of Yavuz Selim Institutes, members of Atlantic Senegal-Turkey Association (ATSA), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Movie 'Selam' Preparing to Greet Warmly

After two years of filming, the feature movie “Selam”, which depicts the stories of selfless teachers departing for conflict and/or famine ridden countries without a second thought, released a new teaser.

Northern Iraqi Students Stir Emotions with Their Songs

Northern Iraq semi-final qualification round of the Turkish Olympiads, which will mark its 11th year with the slogan “Towards Universal Peace”, were concluded on February 17, Arbil.

“Turkey Now Back in Africa with Turkish Schools”

In parallel to a focus on Africa initiatives in Turkish foreign policy, there has been a visible increase in the interest toward Turkey throughout Africa as well. Strengthening partnerships and relations founded on the shared past has been welcomed by academics, experts, politicians and the media. Consequently, such an interest has encouraged a rise in the number of scholarly exchanges, given the need for enriching existing academic and cultural common grounds.