Erdoğan's personal propaganda tool, the MGK

Mümtazer Türköne

Like the National Security Agency (NSA) in the US, or the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) in Germany, the MGK in Turkey -- the National Security Council -- is the land's highest coordinator for state security. With constitutional reforms made in the wake of European Union reforms that led to an increase in the number of civilian members on this high security board, the general weight of government representatives on the MGK became much more formidable. Debates surrounding the MGK always reflect power struggles within the ranks of the state. And in the past, of course, the military used this board to design and guide politics. In fact, the most recent military coup in Turkish history -- the Feb. 28, 1997 process -- sprung from a MGK meeting and the decisions reached at this meeting.

'The Gulen movement is one of the very few that has managed to live what it preaches.'

Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 12 (Full text)

I’m Khaled Abou Fadl**. I’m a professor of law at UCLA School of Law and an author of a number of books on Islamic theology and law.

Turkey will hurt own interests if gov't shuts down Kimse Yok Mu

Former Director for East African Affairs for the US State Department Professor David Shinn said in an interview, “If the government of Turkey is trying to shut down Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) it would seem to be a case of hurting its own interests in Africa.”

Despite blocking accounts, Kimse Yok Mu able to collect donations

Despite the latest step in a government crackdown on Turkey's UN-affiliated aid organization, Kimse Yok Mu, in which two banks blocked the organization's accounts, administrators for the charity have said they are still able to collect money through their other accounts.

Fethullah Gülen speaks at UN

Selçuk Gültaşlı

Amid strong efforts by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to declare him a terrorist, Fethullah Gülen addressed the United Nations on Oct. 24.

Government blocks bank accounts of aid organization

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government's efforts to disrupt the work of Turkey's leading aid organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) continues with the unlawful blocking of the organization's bank accounts on Oct. 22.

Pro-government media allowed to lie, ignores compensation penalties

Media outlets within the government's sphere of influence have ignored court orders for them to publish retractions of fabricated stories, especially about the Hizmet movement after the corruption scandals that were made public on Dec. 17 and Dec. 25.

What a plot attempts to tell

Begüm Burak

The film “Birleşen Gönüller” (The Converging Hearts) was released to Turkish audiences on Friday.

The fate of prosecutors

Ekrem Dumanlı

An election was held at the Ankara Bar Association recently. Nuh Mete Yüksel, who was among the powers that be in the prosecutorial community in the past, entered while this was taking place. He was once an awe-inspiring prosecutor. Apparently, he retired from prosecuting and became a lawyer. Of course, he is now deprived of the terrifying appearance he had in those years. He no longer has the frigid countenance that would send everyone's hearts throbbing with fear. As it happens, some lawyers started to protest harshly the “fledgling lawyer.” Moreover, the hall was filled with shouts of "Go away!" So Yüksel had to go back without casting his vote...

Tyrants do not remain in power long, warns Constitutional Court head

The head of Turkey's top court has said oppressors who are cursed by their victims, as history has shown, are not able to remain in power for long.

Land tender won by TUSKON reopened in defiance of court decision

The tender for a large parcel of land which was won by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) was reopened on Monday, despite a prior court decision barring such a move, according to a statement from the confederation on the same day.

13 recommendations to MGK secretary for inclusion in 'Red Book'

Veysel Ayhan

The president pays attention to the current National Security Council (MGK). He is determined to declare Hizmet a terror organization. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not interested in the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Kobani, Syria, the approximately 3 million refugees and the murder of 40 people in violent protests. His only concern is Hizmet. Given that the MGK is designed to be a place to discuss personal concerns, I, as a citizen, would like to raise some points of recommendation for the MGK secretary-general for possible inclusion on the agenda of the council.

Fethullah Gülen's message to the Geneva Peace Conference

Fethullah Gülen*

Distinguished participants of Geneva Peace Conference,

Geneva Peace Conference: “Mobilizing Civil Society for Building Peace” - Final Declaration

Humanity continues to face problems ranging from hunger and poverty to armed conflicts and all forms of discrimination, but these realities should not lead us to a sense of despair, apathy and hopelessness since a growing number of individuals, families, communities, institutions and civil society organizations as well as government sectors and intergovernmental agencies are slowly and patiently planting the seeds and nurturing the seedlings for the building of a more peaceful world, a world with much less suffering, conflicts and destruction.

Government plans to unlawfully take over aid organization

The Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) efforts to undermine the largest aid organization in Turkey, Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There?) reached a new level with alleged preparations to dissolve the board of the organization and appoint a trustee instead, although no legal grounds exist for such a move.

Former FM Yakış defends Turkish schools as the torch bearer of Ottoman vision

Turkish schools are the top performers for Turkey, and the torch bearers of the grand Ottoman vision states former Foreign Minister and ex AK Party founder Yaşar Yakış.

Lethal weapon: hatred

Orhan Oğuz Gürbüz

It is frequently suggested that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) resorts to psychological warfare methods with a view to extending its hold on power. It amplifies tensions between social groups in an effort to reap power from social cleavages. The intention is to build upon the Alevi-Sunni, secular-religious, pro-AK Party-dissident polarizations to create widespread hostilities among social groups. What President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan uttered about Berkin Elvan, a youngster who died during Gezi Park street skirmishes, confirms these shocking claims. Indeed, he said that Elvan was "not a young boy who died after leaving home to buy bread," but a "pawn in the hands of terrorist organizations."

Ethio-Turkish businesswomen to strengthen business ties

The first-ever delegation of businesswomen from Turkey visited and held business meetings for three days in the capital, starting on Thursday.

Gov't ban on charity Kimse Yok Mu hits orphans

Thousands of orphans and needy people around the world whose lives depend on the aid they receive from charities such as Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There?), the largest volunteer and global aid organization based in Turkey, are at risk of being affected by the Turkish government's restrictions on the charitable association.

UN Peace Conference renews commitment against extremism of all kinds

At a United Nations conference organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) on Friday in Geneva, a wide range of participants agreed that global challenges against peace should not lead to apathy, while reiterating their commitment against all kinds of extremism.

'We see in Mr. Gulen a man teaching God’s words'

Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 11 (Full text)

My name is Daniel Skubik**. I’m a professor of Law, Ethics and Humanities at California Baptist University in Riverside, California.

Can a leader play a mediator role while terminating an aid charity?

Aydoğan Vatandaş*

There is no doubt that the globalization of today's economic and political structures has created huge gaps between the developed and developing countries, which results in unparalleled inequalities where millions of people suffer from not having access to enough food to survive.

Gülen issues condolence message for Iraqi victims of ISIL

Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has sent a message of condolence to the families of the victims of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization in Iraq and he has condemned ISIL's violence.

Turkish schools in Romania awarded with certificate of excellence

Turkish schools which have been operating in Romania for 20 years, were awarded with a certificate of excellence by Romanian Education Minister Remus Pricopie on Wednesday.

Journalists and Writers Foundation to hold peace conference at UN

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), a Turkish institution having consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), will hold a peace conference in Geneva on Friday.

Bank Asya fights back against Erdogan attack

Ahmet Beyaz, the chief executive of Turkey’s government-besieged Bank Asya, says his bank is the victim of a political campaign waged by Turkey’s powerful president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bank Asya shares kept closed despite SPK warning

The Capital Markets Board (SPK) has warned the Borsa İstanbul (BİST) to act in line with the law with regard to the BİST's decision on Aug. 14 to ban Bank Asya's shares from trading, local media reported on Wednesday.

Empowering TMSF bodes ill for economy's future, experts warn

The government's draft bill that promises extraordinary powers for the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (TMSF) including transferring a failed bank's assets to other banks and establishing a bank without seeking the permission of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) has caused experts to warn that such a move will jeopardize the country's economic outlook.

Gülen On Religion And Science: A Theologian's Perspective

Osman Bakar*

Introduction

A number of contemporary Muslim thinkers have dealt with the relationship between religion and science.[1] The subject itself is fast gaining popularity among Muslims, not only among scientists but also among other groups of Muslim professionals and intellectuals. Understandably, as Muslims they are primarily interested in discussing and debating the subject from Islamic points of view. We may even say that in many Muslim countries today practically every class of educated Muslims is concerned with some issue pertaining to the relation of religion and science.

Gülen's lawyer: A civilian structure demonized by fictitious slurs

Nurullah Albayrak, the lawyer of Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen, rejected the Sabah daily's headline story on Monday titled “Parallel Council,” saying pro-government outlets aim to distract attention from anti-government corruption assertions by making false claims about the Hizmet movement.

Why are Fethullah Gülen's teachings so attractive to his followers?

Doğu Ergil

While today there are many Muslim thinkers and practitioners in the name of Islam, what is it in Gülen’s teachings that seem to be so attractive to his followers?

'Moderate voices such as Gülen movement are sorely needed'

Aydoğan Vatandaş

"This is most unfortunate, as anyone who does the minutest amount of research would clearly see that [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] ISIS does not follow the teachings of Islam," says Joyce Davis, speaking about the bigoted comments of Bill Maher, who simplistically identified ISIS with the religion of Islam on a TV show last week. Davis is the president of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, part of the World Affairs Councils of America, based in Washington, D.C. She is the author of two books on Islam and has written extensively on international affairs and US foreign policy.

Principles of Dialogue in Fethullah Gülen’s Thought

Züleyha Keskin

1. Be sincere in dialogue

Moldovan orphans demand Kimse Yok Mu assistance continue

Orphanages in Moldova are in the hope that donations by the Turkish people through Kimse Yok Mu continue without interruption.

True journalism fights for survival under gov't carrot-stick policy

Veteran Turkish journalists who have lost their jobs for basically trying to perform their profession have said they did not experience as much government pressure and intervention during the turbulent coup times of the past as they have under the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government today.

Former Dutch FM: I don't understand Erdoğan's Hizmet hatred

The Netherlands' former foreign minister Bernard Bot has said that he cannot understand Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's hatred against the Hizmet movement, a social movement known for its cultural and educational activities.

German translation of Gulen’s book at Frankfurt Book Fair

Fethullah Gulen’s latest German translated book titled “Was ich denke, was ich glaube” has been released at the International Frankfurt Book Fair.

South Korean NGO: It’s hard to make sense of what is being done to Kimse Yok Mu

Officials of Bonita, a South Korean NGO that engages in research and efforts for children and labor rights, said they find it hard to make sense of the oppression against Kimse Yok Mu (KYM). The officials recently went to Aceh, Indonesia, to witness the KYM efforts during Eid al-Adha. The region had suffered most in the tsunami that hit the country in 2005.

Gov't perceives its citizens as threat, hurting state-citizen ties

The government-introduced bill that envisages harsher penalties targeting any dissident movement by extending the scope of offenses and granting extensive powers to the police, is being harshly criticized for posing a threat to basic rights and freedoms and harming state-citizen ties, reminiscent of the period of martial law that Turkey previously experienced.

President Zuma sends message to the South African - Turkish Business Association Business Awards

Jacob Zuma*

The Premier of Gauteng, Mr David Makhura;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
The leadership of the South Africa Turkish Business Association,
Members of TUSKON;
Captains of Industry;
Ladies and Gentlemen:

White House hosts first-ever Eid al-Adha celebration

The White House hosted an event to celebrate Eid al-Adha on Tuesday for the first time ever with the sponsorship of the Rumi Forum, an international organization established by Turks living in Washington, D.C., to foster intercultural dialogue.

Zaman Media Group receives 5 awards from WAN-IFRA

The Zaman and Today's Zaman dailies, as well as three Zaman supplements, have received perfection awards from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), which were announced at the World Publishing Expo 2014 in Amsterdam.

Bank Asya cleared to raise capital

Leading Turkish Islamic bank Bank Asya has received approval from the country's capital markets regulatory board to raise its capital by 25 percent, the bank announced late on Tuesday.

German report: Gov't Bank Asya smear campaign is revenge

A recent report released by a foundation close to Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) emphasizes that the government targeted Bank Asya and subjected it to a smear campaign.

The dispute over Bank Asya: What lies ahead in Erdoğan's Turkey?

Giorgio Buttironi*

The dispute between Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government and Bank Asya reignited in September following the lifting of a five-week trading ban imposed by Borsa İstanbul (BİST) -- Turkey's stock exchange authority. The ever-growing interference of the executive in the market regulatory system raises a number of questions about the country's future.

The government is preparing for a huge witch hunt

Orhan Kemal Cengiz

When it came to human rights reforms, this government used to take steps like an Ottoman military band (Mehteran). An Ottoman military band, as a part of its ceremonial duty, takes two steps forward and then takes one step back. On the whole, they of course go forward, but quite slowly.

Government allegedly plots to blame Bingöl attacks on Hizmet movement

Twitter user @fuatavni has claimed the government has launched a plan to blame an attack in which two police officers were killed on Oct. 9 in Bingöl on the Hizmet movement, which is inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

‘Parallel' lies won't patch giant tear, Gülen tells government

Turkish Islamic Scholar Fethullah Gülen has decried recent claims by the government and the president that his followers are behind recent violent street protests in Turkey, indicating that the government is attempting to patch up a “giant tear” it has made with these claims in an effort he said is bound to fail.

Gülen denies attempting to axe peace process

The lawyer of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has strongly denied claims made by the former chairman of the banned pro-Kurdish Democracy Party (DEP) who alleged in a television interview Monday evening that Fethullah Gülen defames, slanders, and obstructs people who support the peace process.

Gov't attack on Bank Asya taints Turkey's image

Attempts by the Turkish government to sink Bank Asya have tainted Turkey's image, according to French-based Institute for Research on the International Economy expert Deniz Ünal, speaking to the Cihan news agency on Tuesday.

Çandar: Erdoğan staged the real coup of Dec. 17

The AK Party has been targeting thousands of people and the Hizmet movement since the Gezi protests. In other words, have they re-created the brutal state approach?

‘Red Book’ to now serve as Erdoğan’s unlimited authority

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signaled a change in his strategy in the fight against dissidents and all segments of society -- especially the faith-based Hizmet movement -- who question his and the government's ill-managed domestic and foreign policies, hinting that the National Security Council (MGK) might declare the Hizmet a terrorist group in its "National Security Strategy Concept Paper" (MGSB) often referred to as the "Red Book."

Bank Asya answers smear campaign

Publicly traded Bank Asya roundly denied the 'baseless rumors' about its financial status via the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP).

CHP deputy calls Erdoğan's order to bring down Hizmet 'crime'

The main opposition Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) Deputy Umut Oran denounced President Tayyip Erdoğan's instruction to the MGK (National Security Council) to bring down the Hizmet movement this Monday.

AK Party founder: I don't believe claims of parallel state

Yaşar Yakış, former foreign minister and a founding member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), criticized the party on Monday, saying he does not believe in the existence of a "parallel state," a term used by the AK Party to describe followers of the faith-based Hizmet movement, which the government alleges to have formed an illegitimate structure within the state.