Gülen donates Manhae award honorarium to Peace Projects

Well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen has decided to donate the honorarium that accompanies the Manhae Peace Prize he received to Peace Projects, a grant program launched by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV).

Unscrupulous news reporting by Der Spiegel

Abdullah Bozkurt

Der Spiegel's recent article titled, “Dangerous Friends: Power Struggle Splits Turkish Ruling Party,” by Hasnain Kazim and Maximilian Popp, is perhaps the best example of the way in which Der Spiegel misrepresents and unfairly presents the magazine's biased view of the Gülen movement in Turkey.

Yavuz: Der Spiegel's inflammatory, biased journalism on Turkey story shocked me

A Turkish-American professor has slammed German Der Spiegel’s what he called “inflammatory and biased” reporting in its article about the movement associated with Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

The Reconciliation of Science and Religion in the Gulen Movement

Michael J. Fontenot, Ph.D.* and Karen A. Fontenot, Ph.D. **

The basic orientation of the Gülen Movement contains an apparent contradiction. On one hand, it sharply and broadly criticizes scientifically based Western materialism from the standpoint of Sufism, a strongly mystical current within Islam. On the other, it strenuously promotes science and technology—the primary handmaidens of materialism—seeing them as essential to progress and prosperity in the Muslim world. That position was established by its founder and principal inspirer, Fethullah Gülen, who is a firm believer in the transformative capacity of science. He sees no innate danger in scientific discoveries, expresses no doubt about the proper “ends of knowledge,” and largely dismisses the threats posed by religious or ideological distortions of the scientific enterprise. That level of optimism is alien to many educated westerners, whose common historical experience has been studded with disruptive interactions between religion, science, and society.

‘Gülen resides in a social facility, not a mansion’

While speculation and news reports among some national media outlets have claimed that prominent Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen lives in a luxurious mansion in Pennsylvania, close friends and lawyers of the opinion leader said Gülen lives in what they call a social facility belonging to a charity.

AK Party VP Sahin: We can only be grateful to Hizmet people

Vice President of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Mehmet Ali Şahin remarked on the relations between AK Party and the Hizmet Movement (Gulen movement) in an interview*. Şahin said, “Is it possible for us to have any issue with the people performing such activities? We can be only grateful to them. We would only make for them easier their charity works. We would remove barriers they may face with.”

The Future of Islamic Civilization in A Globalizing World

Muzaffar K Awan*

The Muslim civilization was developed historically (spanning from 7th through the 17th centuries) dominating the world close to a millennium. It had transformed the world particularly during its golden age (8th to the 12th centuries); had become universal, supremely successful in all human endeavors, education, democratic ideals, sciences and technology of the era.

Turkish medical group goes to Tanzania with largest medical personnel team

The Ufuk Doctors Association (UHEK), the İstanbul-based branch of the Marmara Health Federation (MASED), in a joint project with the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA), will visit the East African country of Tanzania, where the average life expectancy is 50 years, with a team of 47 medical personnel at the end of the month.

Saritoprak shares knowledge of Turkish traditions and Gülen movement

Fredo Villaseñor

Zeki Saritoprak is the Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies at John Carroll University. At 2 p.m. Friday in the Hall of Philosophy, he delivered an Interfaith Lecture on the Gülen movement and on Turkish culture and religion. Saritoprak is a contributing author of Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gülen Movement, edited by Hakan Yavuz and John L. Esposito.

Nigerian instability not a current threat for Turkish community

Recent attacks in Nigeria, apparently targeting the country's Muslim population, have raised concerns in Turkey about the plight of Muslims in the war-torn African country, although the likelihood of an attack on the Turkish community in Nigeria doesn't appear high at present.

Hizmet movement and the AK Party

Nazli Ilicak

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) has responded to a series of claims about and slanderous accusations against the Hizmet movement.

Is the Gülen Movement a continuation of any other previous movement?

Doğu Ergil

Those who are within the Gülen Movement do not consider themselves the continuation or the extension of any other movement. At a certain time and under the perfect circumstances in Turkish History, the teachings of Fethullah Gülen coincided with what a broad sector of Turkish society was searching for in their hearts. This is what allowed for the birth of such a movement.

McCarthy-ullah, the Spy-Catcher

İhsan Yılmaz

“Sayın X Abi, please read this ‘important' email regarding the recently released article by GYV and what 'İhsan Yilmaz' has been writing in Todays Zaman to further the flames of division between the government and Hizmet and causing fitna (mischief-making). And the fact that İhsan is always critising AKP [Justice and Development Party] and our Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan is actually bad for our country as also indicated by Hüseyin Gülerce Abi as stated in his recent article:

“Volunteers of education can end the chaos in the Muslim world”

Republican People’s Party (CHP) former party council member, Muhammed Cakmak referred to the global initiatives by volunteers of education as “a universal movement” and shared his belief that it will end the chaos in the Muslim world.

Pained by the tragedy, Izmir doctor moves to Somalia

Doctor Lokman Cam, who had volunteered for three-month periods in Somalia over the past two years, eventually said: “They need us more” and moved to the country. Cam said his wife and three children at university showed the most support for his decision. Somalis, on the other hand, expressed their gratitude with the words: “You’ve come to us when everyone else was leaving.”

Reuters on the alleged rift between the Gulen Movement and the AK Party

Reuters covers Fethullah Gulen and Gulen Movement in reference to the recent debate surrounding the alleged Hizmet Movement and AK Party rift:

Gülen extends condolences to Egypt victims

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has extended condolences to victims of Egypt violence that resulted after a military crackdown on two camps housing supporters of the country’s ousted president.

Importance of 11-article declaration

Hüseyin Gülerce

As expected, the 11-article declaration by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), of which Fethullah Gülen serves as honorary chair, has attracted attention.

Yes to both Hizmet and government!

Begüm Burak

Recently, Turkey has seen important developments that will contribute to a stronger democracy. Turkish politics has, for the first time, witnessed the imprisonment of important public figures and bureaucratic actors; cleansing state mechanisms by challenging the deep state. The Ergenekon case, along with the Gezi protests, paved the way for polarization in society, but surprisingly -- and also ironically -- other developments like the Kurdish opening and the Alevi opening have also contributed to this polarization even while strengthening democracy.

Gülen urges Turkey to preserve, advance achievements in democratization

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has urged to preserve and advance the country’s achievements in democratization and described this as “crucial.”

GYV praised for response to accusations about Hizmet movement

An 11-article statement released by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) on Tuesday in response to a series of controversial claims and slanderous accusations made about the Hizmet movement has received appreciation and applause from many who said the statement is a good response to those who wish to create conflict between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and the Hizmet movement.

The Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (JWF) response to allegations against Hizmet Movement

In recent days there has been a growing campaign of defamation and misinformation against the Hizmet Movement; this campaign has been directed particularly through social media. Despite the maxim that “the one who makes allegations bears the burden of proof”, it seems that those making them will continue to do so and claim that “such things cannot be proven.” Although such libels have been addressed many times before, the Journalists and Writers Foundation feels obliged to issue this statement to show respect for the public’s right to be properly informed.

Turkey: ‘Exclusion for all' state

Sevgi Akarçeşme

No matter how many times I say, “Nothing worse or more unbelievable could happen,” Turkey never stops surprising me. Of course, as many agree, the unpredictable nature of things in Turkey makes this country a gold mine for journalists and researchers, but it's exhausting at the same time.

Hizmet movement's role

Tuğba Aydın

Currently there is a lot of baseless talk on social media and among some media circles about an alleged and growing tension between the Hizmet movement -- inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen -- and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government.

A Rare Meeting With Reclusive Turkish Spiritual Leader Fethullah Gulen

Jamie Tarabay

Fethullah Gulen is a Turkish religious spiritual leader, some say to millions of Turks both in Turkey and around the world, and the head of the "Gulenist" movement. His network of followers span the globe and have opened academically-focused schools across 90 countries, including the U.S.

Deputy PM says row with Hizmet movement would do no good

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç has commented for the first time on allegations that there are tensions between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and the Hizmet movement, saying, “We don't need to get into a verbal row that might hurt relations between the government and the movement; we don't need it, it would hurt us.”

Will ‘the Community' become a political party?

Hüseyin Gülerce

Since the so-called tension between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Community is being kept on the agenda, a series of analyses is being made on how the Community will act in the next municipal elections, scheduled to take place in March 2014.

GYV responds to slanderous accusations about Hizmet movement

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) has responded to a series of controversial claims and slanderous accusations made about the Hizmet movement which the foundation said are designed to pit the government against the movement and create tension between the two.

Turkish Islamic scholar Gülen awarded Manhae Peace Prize

Well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen was awarded the Manhae Peace Prize for his contributions to world peace at a ceremony held in South Korea on Sunday.

Is the AK Party’s voter base narrowing?

Mümtazer Türköne

The discussion Mehmet Barlas recently raised in his column in the Sabah daily is widely interpreted as a manifestation of a power rivalry between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Gülen movement.

Please, fade from the scene!

Ekrem Dumanli

A few years ago, an important politician paid a visit to our newspaper. Before the usual pleasantries, he started to harshly criticize Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Turkish doctors perform 13,000 cataract operations in Sudan, Somalia

Volunteer Turkish doctors conducted cataract surgery on more than 13,000 patients in Sudan and Somalia, where cataracts are a common condition, as part of a project organized by the Kimse Yok Mu humanitarian aid association and the Aegean International Health Federation (ESAFED), the Cihan news agency reported on Sunday.

Stance of Zaman and Today’s Zaman

Abdülhamit Bilici

1- We have been observing a systematic campaign of lynching in social media against Zaman and Today’s Zaman; I am proud of being one of the columnists in these two papers who have always sided with the people by their acts of reason and democratic stance.

Samples of Kimse Yok Mu Ramadan Aid Activities Worldwide (5)

Kimse Yok Mu (KYM) has delivered aid worldwide as a part of its Ramadan campaign.

A modern hospital and school complex for Uganda by Kimse Yok Mu

Noted for its Africa-oriented efforts, the international aid organization Kimse Yok Mu has taken on yet another momentous work to earn Uganda its most modern hospital and school.

“Turkish schools paved the way for Turkey’s African expansion”

Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Asuman Kiyingi said Turkish schools have paved the way for Turkey’s expansion into Africa.

Canadian singer Loreena McKennitt praises Fethullah Gülen's work

Loreena McKennitt, an internationally acclaimed Canadian singer, expressed her appreciation of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen's ideas at Intercultural Dialogue Institute's (IDI) Toronto Friendship Dinner.

Fethullah Gulen celebrated Eid-al Fitr

Fethullah Gülen celebrated Eid-al Fitr with the Turkish American community members. He listened to the sermon after the Eid Prayer with tears in his eyes. After the sermon, he exchanged Eid greetings with his guests and gave out small gifts and treats to the kids present.

The Hizmet movement, politics and the AKP

İhsan Yılmaz

A psychological warfare campaign has recently been launched against not only Today's Zaman but also the Hizmet (Gülen) movement.

Samples of Kimse Yok Mu Ramadan Aid Activities Worldwide (4)

Kimse Yok Mu (KYM), set to reach out to 103 countries as a part of its Ramadan campaign, continues to deliver aid worldwide.

Samples of Kimse Yok Mu Ramadan Aid Activities Worldwide (3)

Kimse Yok Mu (KYM), set to reach out to 103 countries as a part of its Ramadan campaign, continues to deliver aid worldwide.

Kimse Yok Mu lends helping hand to 1,650 Somali families during Ramadan

Turkish charity foundation Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) has offered aid packages to 1,650 families in famine-stricken Somalia, a country that has been in the grip of civil war and terrorism for many years and is currently one of the countries most affected by drought in East Africa, during the holy month of Ramadan.

I have to respond to Mr. Barlas

Hüseyin Gülerce

I never thought that I would have to write an article to respond to Mehmet Barlas. We have an old friendship with him. After Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı's answer to Barlas in his column in Today's Zaman on Monday, though, I need to clarify a few issues without engaging in polemics.

Philippine minister invites Turks to open more schools in his country

Philippine Minister of Education Armin Altamirano Luistro, attending a dinner organized by a Turkish foundation in Manila on Sunday evening, has invited more Turks to open new schools in his country.

Fethullah Gulen: A Bridge between Islam and the West

Richard Penaskovic, Ph.D*

…This paper deals with the thought of M. Fethullah Gülen, a moderate Muslim. It argues that Gülen may be a bridge toward better understanding between Islam and the West because of his views on peace, tolerance, and interfaith dialogue and because of his optimistic view of the future relations between the two aforementioned blocs. I base my argument on five theses:

Kimse Yok Mu aid for Pakistan

Chief Minister of Punjab province of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif: “I pray that relations between Turkey and Pakistan benefit both countries.”

This is utterly disgraceful

Ekrem Dumanli

An old and experienced colleague, like some other columnist, has been writing odd articles for some time. I can hardly believe it. For instance, in an interview he gave to a Russian media outlet, he likens Mr. Fethullah Gülen to George Soros. To say that he does not know what he said would be an insult to his famous intellect. To say that he knows what he says would be to say that he is ill-intentioned. But I cannot believe that he, an experienced colleague, can have ulterior motives. As we try to save him by saying, "He must have said it erroneously," he publishes a statement in his column, but it does not explain anything. It fails to explain a bad analogy that may amount to a catastrophic character assassination and might put innocent people in an unfavorable position.

Ramadan dinners welcome all faiths in Bethlehem

A tent reminiscent of late nights in Turkey lit up Bethlehem's Payrow Plaza, welcoming everyone to break the Ramadan fast.

The second annual Ramadan Tent Dinner in the city observed the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Helping Hands Relief Foundation changes its name to Hizmet Relief

Prominent Turkish-American humanitarian aid organization, the Helping Hands Relief Foundation, has changed its name to Hizmet Relief. The organization will continue to operate in its current structure and the current contacts will remain unchanged. However, the foundation has a new website: http://hizmetrelief.org/

Ramadan aid cheers up Sudanese orphans

Thanks to Kimse Yok Mu Foundation’s (KYM) aid, the young residents of Gurkan Celikol Orphanage, who are receiving hafiz training at the same time, are now smiling at least a little. The pupils are memorizing verses from the Qur’an by copying them on wooden tablets as they lack the Qur’an copies.

Pillars of Gulen’s educational philosophy: Problems education can solve

Yuksel A. Aslandogan, Muhammed Cetin

The land where the world-renowned poet and Sufi Master Rumi lived and taught is now witnessing an unprecedented development with global effects. Teachers, parents, and business owners are participating in a sociocultural movement, which is primarily driven by activism in the field of education. This civic initiative has been inspired by a Turkish Muslim scholar, M. Fethullah Gülen, whose humble beginnings gave little indication of his potential. Over the years, Gülen has encouraged the social elite and community leaders, industrialists, as well as small businessmen, to support quality education. With donations from these sources, educational trusts have been able to establish hundreds of schools, both in Turkey and abroad.

French coach Tigana to donate computer lab to Turkish school in Mali

Former Beşiktaş coach Jean Tigana of France has said he will donate a fully equipped computer lab to a Turkish education complex currently being constructed in Mali's capital, Bamako.

Turkish people’s aid reaches out to Chad through KYM

Abundance and blessings of the month Ramadan have reached out to Chad –one of the poorest African countries- in the form of Turkish people’s aid for orphans and the needy.

Peace Islands Institute Annual Ramadan Dinner

New Jersey Bergen Sheriff Michael Saudino had been fasting for the first time when attended the iftar dinner by Peace Islands. At the gathering with the theme “understanding hunger and poverty by fasting”, Saudino was trying to empathize with the young Muslim who fulfilled the tough 15-day physical activities of the police academy drafts under the hot sun, though he was fasting at the same time. “I was very much impressed with the young man’s determination and reverence for fasting,” Saudino said and further revealed that he was too fasting for the first time in his life in the young man’s honor. In his address to the guests, Saudino proudly announced he successfully fulfilled his first fast.

Kimse Yok Mu President: We are not leaving Somalia

Kimse Yok Mu Foundation President Ismail Cingoz was interviewed on a TV show by Erkam Tufan. “We are not leaving Somalia because of the terrorist attacks targeting Turkey,” the president announced.