The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, which came to power in 2002 with an all-embracing and pro-democracy discourse vowing to respect society's diversity, has, after its 12-year-old rule, ended up being one of the most divisive and polarizing governments in the history of the Turkish Republic, something that could be seen clearly in the conflicts among various groups and even members of the same family in the country.
January 12, 2015
BBP’s Destici issues hands off to gov’t, on political parties and NGOs
Opposition BBP’s Chairman Destici slams government’s persecution of political parties and NGOs, while calling attention to the rising threat of the separatist PKK in southeast Turkey.
European press criticizes Turkish PM’s presence at Hebdo march
Several prominent columnists from major European newspapers have criticized the presence of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu at a march, commemorating those killed during last week's attack at the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo on Jan. 7, citing Turkey's worsening track record in terms of press freedom.
Turkish foreign minister distorts US State Department briefing
Turkey's top diplomat has misrepresented the facts about last week's US State Department briefing in which two US journalists pressed the department spokesperson, Jen Psaki, on Turkey's ties with Hamas.
January 11, 2015
Turkish journalist federation slams gov’t press profiling
Turkish Journalists Federation President Nazmi Bilgin, slammed gov’t profiling of journalists and discriminative press accreditation policy.
94 journalists critical of gov’t denied permanent press cards
Government-led arbitrary practices against journalists critical of the government have entered a new phase after 94 veteran journalists -- many of whom work for the Zaman, Samanyolu, Cihan, Taraf and Bugün media outlets -- were denied permanent press cards, regardless of their eligibility.
Police kept crucial documents from court to support plot against media
The government-orchestrated plot to muzzle the independent media outlets Zaman daily and Samanyolu Broadcasting Group was revealed when police investigators kept crucial evidence from the prosecutor and the court in İstanbul that heard the case against journalists Ekrem Dumanlı and Hidayet Karaca.
Former CHP leader refutes claim of Hizmet link to his sex tape, implies gov’t involved
The former leader of the main opposition party has dismissed a claim by a former top intelligence figure that a sex tape which led to his resignation was a plot against him conducted by the faith-based Hizmet movement.
Turkey's Bank Asya to sell Tamweel Africa Holding stake
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's Bank Asya, which suffered a run on deposits last year after it became embroiled in a political feud, said it was selling its 40 percent stake in Tamweel Africa Holding for 31.8 million euros ($37.7 million).
January 10, 2015
'I believe God is using the Hizmet Movement to bring people together; Hizmet represents the true spirit of Islam.'
Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 28 (Full text)
Hello, I am Pastor Bob McKee**. I'm a Lutheran pastor here in Sunnyvale, California, here in the United States.
Hello, I am Pastor Bob McKee**. I'm a Lutheran pastor here in Sunnyvale, California, here in the United States.
Spy agency planning false-flag terror acts in crowded areas, whistleblower claims
A Turkish whistleblower, who has a credible record of predicting police operations and government policies, has made a shocking claim, arguing that the Turkish spy agency is planning false-flag operations to blow up crowded areas to frame the Gülen movement as a terrorist organization.
First purification, next habituation
Begüm Burak
It is not easy for countries like Turkey to internalize democratic norms and principles. First of all, in terms of historical settings and cultural codes, Turkey has never found the solid ground to have a fully fledged democracy. The political elites have paid lip service to democracy and viewed democracy as an "electoral democracy." As we see today, once the political elites have come to power they have adhered to authoritarian practices and curbed freedom and rule of law with the aim to serve their own interests.
It is not easy for countries like Turkey to internalize democratic norms and principles. First of all, in terms of historical settings and cultural codes, Turkey has never found the solid ground to have a fully fledged democracy. The political elites have paid lip service to democracy and viewed democracy as an "electoral democracy." As we see today, once the political elites have come to power they have adhered to authoritarian practices and curbed freedom and rule of law with the aim to serve their own interests.
January 9, 2015
"Hizmet really has expanded my understanding of what it means to be human."
Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 27 (Full text)
My name is Ken Hunter. I go by the name of “Buzz” for most of my friends. I've been fortunate enough to have been friends with people from the Hizmet Movement for eleven years. I met them in September of 2003, and it's the beginning of a relationship I am proud to be a part of.
My name is Ken Hunter. I go by the name of “Buzz” for most of my friends. I've been fortunate enough to have been friends with people from the Hizmet Movement for eleven years. I met them in September of 2003, and it's the beginning of a relationship I am proud to be a part of.
Turkish army profiled Tahşiyeciler as serving al-Qaeda
A new report uncovered from the Turkish General Staff reveals that the army had been in preparation to operate against the Tahşiyeciler group.
January 8, 2015
'The members of Hizmet work God into their lives; they put love and kindness and decency heroically.'
Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 26 (Full text)
My name is Ken Hunter. I go by the name of “Buzz” for most of my friends. I've been fortunate enough to have been friends with people from the Hizmet Movement for 11 years.
My name is Ken Hunter. I go by the name of “Buzz” for most of my friends. I've been fortunate enough to have been friends with people from the Hizmet Movement for 11 years.
Why are they becoming terrorists?
Aydoğan Vatandaş
Whatever the reason or the motivation for the horrible terrorist attacks in Paris, it is obvious that it is against the basic principles of Islam and should be strongly condemned by Muslims throughout the world.
Whatever the reason or the motivation for the horrible terrorist attacks in Paris, it is obvious that it is against the basic principles of Islam and should be strongly condemned by Muslims throughout the world.
Today’s Zaman: Nothing can justify terrorism
Everyone has witnessed once again that violence is not specific to any religion, language, nationality or region.
January 7, 2015
JWF strongly condemns terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo
Twelve people including two police officers were killed in a shooting at the Paris offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Hate speech and its impact on the [Hizmet] movement (1)
Mahmut Akpınar*
Hate speech consists of prejudices nurtured against certain groups, their isolation, intimidation and neutralization.
Hate speech consists of prejudices nurtured against certain groups, their isolation, intimidation and neutralization.
January 6, 2015
'Hizmet is a social movement worldwide, that has a heart, and it’s always from the heart.'
Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 25 (Full text)
My name is Budd Friend Jones. I’m the senior minister at the 1st Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, which is a suburb of Chicago.
My name is Budd Friend Jones. I’m the senior minister at the 1st Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, which is a suburb of Chicago.
January 5, 2015
Will the AKP-Gülen rift save Turkey’s secularists
Mustafa Gürbüz*
In Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's “New Turkey,” anyone could be next. The "New Turkey" is ever more synonymous with the old military-backed regime as Erdoğan seeks allies in his war.
In Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's “New Turkey,” anyone could be next. The "New Turkey" is ever more synonymous with the old military-backed regime as Erdoğan seeks allies in his war.
The meaning of this crisis
Ali Bulaç
In the wake of the Dec. 17 and 25 bribery and corruption operations, the faction led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has directed two main accusations at the Hizmet movement: a) that the Hizmet movement has become involved in a plot constructed by foreign powers -- notably, the US and Israel -- with the aim of overthrowing the elected government of Turkey, and b) that the Hizmet movement has gone all the way into people's bedrooms with its wiretaps.
In the wake of the Dec. 17 and 25 bribery and corruption operations, the faction led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has directed two main accusations at the Hizmet movement: a) that the Hizmet movement has become involved in a plot constructed by foreign powers -- notably, the US and Israel -- with the aim of overthrowing the elected government of Turkey, and b) that the Hizmet movement has gone all the way into people's bedrooms with its wiretaps.
Erdoğan fatigue in Turkey
Abdullah Bozkurt
Turkey's combative president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has miscalculated in believing that the fatigue factor will set in on the opposition with his strategy of buying off and intimidating the critical and independent media, narrowing political space for dissent, partisan interference into the judiciary and working through informal political networks and a patronage system to keep his support base from erosion.
Turkey's combative president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has miscalculated in believing that the fatigue factor will set in on the opposition with his strategy of buying off and intimidating the critical and independent media, narrowing political space for dissent, partisan interference into the judiciary and working through informal political networks and a patronage system to keep his support base from erosion.
Hello Ankara, are you there?
Ali Aslan
Readers of The Washington Post who opened the paper on Friday morning saw an article on the op-ed page titled "Turkey's witch hunt." It was written by Ekrem Dumanlı, the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily. The editors of the paper wrote in the sub-title that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's media crackdown is tarnishing his nation’s image. A photo of a group of women holding copies of Zaman and Turkish flags in their hands and protesting the Dec. 14 operation against the media also made its way onto the same page. An article by prominent US opinion leader Fareed Zakaria was placed below Dumanlı's article. All the choices of The Washington Post editors with regards to the publication and presentation of Dumanlı's article showed that they gave this article a lot of importance. Why?
Readers of The Washington Post who opened the paper on Friday morning saw an article on the op-ed page titled "Turkey's witch hunt." It was written by Ekrem Dumanlı, the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily. The editors of the paper wrote in the sub-title that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's media crackdown is tarnishing his nation’s image. A photo of a group of women holding copies of Zaman and Turkish flags in their hands and protesting the Dec. 14 operation against the media also made its way onto the same page. An article by prominent US opinion leader Fareed Zakaria was placed below Dumanlı's article. All the choices of The Washington Post editors with regards to the publication and presentation of Dumanlı's article showed that they gave this article a lot of importance. Why?
Latest salvo against political opponents in Turkey
Scott Bleiweis
In April 2014 I touched on attempts to expose corruption among government leaders in Turkey. It is sad to hear that this struggle continues, and those in power are taking increasingly aggressive measures to stay there.
In April 2014 I touched on attempts to expose corruption among government leaders in Turkey. It is sad to hear that this struggle continues, and those in power are taking increasingly aggressive measures to stay there.
January 4, 2015
Allegations should receive prize in fiction
Günal Kurşun
As far as I know, there are five famous prizes in fiction in Turkey, given in the name of Haldun Taner, Sait Faik, Yunus Nadi, Yaşar Nabi Nayır and Selçuk Baran. I suppose there might be more awards but these five are the most famous and they definitely have an impact in the Turkish world of literature. The juries look at the technical perfection of the fiction as well as the artistic construction of the structure during the decision process.
As far as I know, there are five famous prizes in fiction in Turkey, given in the name of Haldun Taner, Sait Faik, Yunus Nadi, Yaşar Nabi Nayır and Selçuk Baran. I suppose there might be more awards but these five are the most famous and they definitely have an impact in the Turkish world of literature. The juries look at the technical perfection of the fiction as well as the artistic construction of the structure during the decision process.
Özfatura: Erdoğan does not want civil society that is not pro-AK Party
Dr. Burhan Özfatura witnessed the meetings of former President Turgut Özal and former Prime Minister Tansu Çiller with Fethullah Gülen. He says: “Both asked what they can do for him. Gülen told them not to believe anybody who asks for a favor by referring to himself.” Özfatura, who has expressed support for the police officers who were placed under arrest and has strongly criticized the recent judicial and security packages, speaks aloud at a time when everybody else remains silent. He is a renowned politician who served in center-right parties and he worked pretty closely with Özal in the implementation of economic reforms. Özfatura spoke to Sunday's Zaman about the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Hizmet movement.
Being crushed under baggage: Shortness of breath
Ekrem Dumanlı
We are facing a great danger. Some people who do not want to hear any critical remarks have established a regime of repression. A 16-year-old was sent to jail; a journalist who posted a tweet about the Dec. 17, 2013 corruption investigation was placed in detention; a TV station and a newspaper were raided; the police staged an operation in the buildings of some political parties because they put up a critical banner; the supporters of a soccer club are being accused of attempting to stage a coup; the “reasonable doubt” criterion for arrest is applied to almost everybody; and the country is now a semi-closed penitentiary.
We are facing a great danger. Some people who do not want to hear any critical remarks have established a regime of repression. A 16-year-old was sent to jail; a journalist who posted a tweet about the Dec. 17, 2013 corruption investigation was placed in detention; a TV station and a newspaper were raided; the police staged an operation in the buildings of some political parties because they put up a critical banner; the supporters of a soccer club are being accused of attempting to stage a coup; the “reasonable doubt” criterion for arrest is applied to almost everybody; and the country is now a semi-closed penitentiary.
Civil society will not bow
Şahin Alpay
Turkey is effectively governed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in violation of all the constitutional provisions that define a parliamentary system and a presidential oath that obliges him to maintain political neutrality. Claiming that serious corruption allegations against members of his Cabinet and family were fabricated in a conspiracy to topple his government by what he calls the “parallel state,” meaning the faith-based social movement inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, he has introduced legislation that has emasculated the rule of law and crippled the independence of the judiciary in order to stifle the graft probe.
Turkey is effectively governed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in violation of all the constitutional provisions that define a parliamentary system and a presidential oath that obliges him to maintain political neutrality. Claiming that serious corruption allegations against members of his Cabinet and family were fabricated in a conspiracy to topple his government by what he calls the “parallel state,” meaning the faith-based social movement inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, he has introduced legislation that has emasculated the rule of law and crippled the independence of the judiciary in order to stifle the graft probe.
Erdoğan’s abstract enemies: parallel organization and superior mind
Mümtazer Türköne
Totalitarian regimes rely on their ability to manufacture enemies. In his New Year message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to a host of "external enemies" and "traitors." The ruling party characterizes these traitors as the "parallel organization" and "superior mind." The phrases "parallel state" and "Pennsylvania organization" are used synonymously with the "parallel organization" as well. These phrases offer a comforting luxury. As they are abstract characterizations and no one takes any offense from them, they give Erdoğan and the media outlets at his disposal the opportunity to shadow box.
Totalitarian regimes rely on their ability to manufacture enemies. In his New Year message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to a host of "external enemies" and "traitors." The ruling party characterizes these traitors as the "parallel organization" and "superior mind." The phrases "parallel state" and "Pennsylvania organization" are used synonymously with the "parallel organization" as well. These phrases offer a comforting luxury. As they are abstract characterizations and no one takes any offense from them, they give Erdoğan and the media outlets at his disposal the opportunity to shadow box.
January 3, 2015
What should we expect from 2015?
Emre Uslu
As you may know, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have been able to postpone the Kurdish settlement process they started in 2009 until after the 2015 elections.
As you may know, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have been able to postpone the Kurdish settlement process they started in 2009 until after the 2015 elections.
January 2, 2015
The responsibility of the Hizmet movement
Özgür Koca
These are difficult times for Muslims. The Islamic World is suffering from a deep economic, political and moral crisis and is taking a downward path in the vicious cycle of corruption, violence, ignorance and oppression. There are, however, several things that offer some warm light in this dark age. The Hizmet movement is one of them. The following are some reasons why I think the movement has great potential in terms of producing an important global influence:
These are difficult times for Muslims. The Islamic World is suffering from a deep economic, political and moral crisis and is taking a downward path in the vicious cycle of corruption, violence, ignorance and oppression. There are, however, several things that offer some warm light in this dark age. The Hizmet movement is one of them. The following are some reasons why I think the movement has great potential in terms of producing an important global influence:
Turkey’s witch hunt against the media
Ekrem Dumanlı
When I first appeared in court after last month’s raid on my newspaper in Istanbul and 80 hours of detention, I asked the judge: “Two columns and a news report: Is that all the evidence against me?” The judge replied, “Yes.” It surely was an “I rest my case” moment for me — as well as for the dismal state of Turkish democracy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
When I first appeared in court after last month’s raid on my newspaper in Istanbul and 80 hours of detention, I asked the judge: “Two columns and a news report: Is that all the evidence against me?” The judge replied, “Yes.” It surely was an “I rest my case” moment for me — as well as for the dismal state of Turkish democracy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A declaration of treason is imminent
Abdülhamit Bilici
When certain circles of the guardian authority opened court cases aiming to see the Justice and Development Party (AKP) -- which had come to power by the vote of the Turkish people -- shut down, I tried to depict just how low those who defended these moves had stooped by telling the following Temel joke:
When certain circles of the guardian authority opened court cases aiming to see the Justice and Development Party (AKP) -- which had come to power by the vote of the Turkish people -- shut down, I tried to depict just how low those who defended these moves had stooped by telling the following Temel joke:
“The crackdown on critical media in Turkey”
Speaking at the 30th Covering Turkey event on Tuesday, themed as “The crackdown on critical media in Turkey” organized by the Medialog Platform in İstanbul, Zaman Daily’s Chief Deputy Mehmet Kamış, Samanyolu TV Editor-in-Chief Metin Yıkar, Editor-in-Chief of Today’s Zaman Bülent Keneş, and Director General of the Cihan News Agency Abdülhamit Bilici have answered the questions.
Sajjanhar: Dialogue urges one to excel in one's own faith
Ashok Sajjanhar, the Secretary of the Indian Interior Ministry's National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), in a statement he made during a workshop organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation's (GYV) Intercultural Dialogue Platform (KADİP), indicated that involvement in dialogue work encourages one to learn one's faith more profoundly.
January 1, 2015
Dumanlı explains his detention in video, says journalism not a crime
Zaman editor-in-chief Ekrem Dumanlı, who was detained last month, is explaining in a new video clip his detention and the dreadful situation of the freedom of press in Turkey.
Pro-gov’t media knows no limits in ’parallel’ claims
Ever since President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched a battle against the faith-based Hizmet movement after a corruption probe went public on Dec. 17, 2013, almost no day has passed without pro-government media outlets' bringing forward allegations about the “parallel structure or state” and associating any negative development in the country with this so-called structure.
Forms of Islam: Popular Islam – Hizmet-Gülen Movement and Fethullah Gülen
Graham E. Fuller
Hizmet-Gülen Movement
Traditional Islamic values of piety, social commitment, tolerance, social justice and moderation in Islam find themselves overwhelmed in the current fray of international violence, war, injustice, fanaticism, and daily hardship in the Middle East—a key source of anxiety to most Muslims today. This kind of toxic environment contributes to increased insecurity, desperation, intolerance and radicalism. It is precisely these dangerous trends that the Turkey-based faith movement of Fethullah Gülen today seeks to combat. Gülen’s movement represents the largest, most powerful and influential Islamic movement in the world today that prioritizes the quest for moderation, dialog and modernity in Islam.
Hizmet-Gülen Movement
Traditional Islamic values of piety, social commitment, tolerance, social justice and moderation in Islam find themselves overwhelmed in the current fray of international violence, war, injustice, fanaticism, and daily hardship in the Middle East—a key source of anxiety to most Muslims today. This kind of toxic environment contributes to increased insecurity, desperation, intolerance and radicalism. It is precisely these dangerous trends that the Turkey-based faith movement of Fethullah Gülen today seeks to combat. Gülen’s movement represents the largest, most powerful and influential Islamic movement in the world today that prioritizes the quest for moderation, dialog and modernity in Islam.
December 31, 2014
'I admire Fethullah Gulen’s vision of a world that’s different from the one we have'
Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 24 (Full text)
My name is Budd Friend Jones. I’m the senior minister at the 1st Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, which is a suburb of Chicago.
My name is Budd Friend Jones. I’m the senior minister at the 1st Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, which is a suburb of Chicago.
December 30, 2014
Zaman Editor-in-Chief: Turkish government no longer democratic
Asharq Al-Awsat—Ekrem Dumanlı was arrested on December 14, part of a series of coordinated raids by Turkish authorities against a number of prominent media figures, all facing charges of belonging to a terrorist “parallel organization.” The organization in question? Fethullah Gülen’s Hizmet movement.
Al-Awsat: Media freedoms in Turkey only on paper
Asharq al-Awsat, one of the most influential papers in the Arab world, has featured an interview with Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı with the headline reading “Media freedoms in Turkey, only on paper.”
He says, ‘Don’t just be afraid, tremble!’ and now everybody is talking about him
When Today's Zaman told the anonymous whistleblower Fuat Avni in a direct message on Twitter that the editorial team had chosen him person of the year, the mysterious account replied: “Person of the year? Is this a joke?”
Turkish court rejects appeal to arrest Dumanlı
A court has rejected an appeal made by a prosecutor requesting the arrest of Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı, stating that there was no new evidence that was sufficient to put Dumanlı behind bars.
Summary of proceedings reveals plot against media
The summary of proceedings of the recent police operation conducted to silence free media demonstrates that it was a plot targeting the Zaman daily and the Samanyolu Broadcasting Group.
An interview at a party-state
Oğuzhan Tekin
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's witch-hunt campaign to find and eliminate people who are sympathizer of the Hizmet movement and not sympathizer of the government was reflected in interviews that were organized by the Ministry of Education last month. It seems Turkey has totally become a party-state.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's witch-hunt campaign to find and eliminate people who are sympathizer of the Hizmet movement and not sympathizer of the government was reflected in interviews that were organized by the Ministry of Education last month. It seems Turkey has totally become a party-state.
This single tweet got a Turkish journalist detained
The detention of journalists is not exceptional in Turkey: The Committee to Protect Journalists says the country was the world's worst jailer of journalists in 2012 and 2013, and among the 10 worst this year. However, reports of the detention of Turkish journalist Sedef Kabas on Tuesday suggest a remarkably low bar for arrest: a single tweet.
December 29, 2014
2014: Towards an “Empire of Fear”
Adem Yavuz Arslan
As another year comes to a close it is customary to sum up the ending one and making projections for the coming.
Sadly, 2014 has been a lost year. The corruption files did away with the AKP’s 12 years in one stroke.
As another year comes to a close it is customary to sum up the ending one and making projections for the coming.
Sadly, 2014 has been a lost year. The corruption files did away with the AKP’s 12 years in one stroke.
TUSİAD chairman says does not see ‘parallel structure’ within state
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) Chairman Haluk Dinçer has said that he does not see any “parallel structure” within the state as is asserted by pro-government circles, adding that discharging some police officers on accusations of illegal wiretapping does not prove the existence of such a structure.
Turkey, caliphate and Erdoğan
Abdullah Bozkurt
…Just as all Muslims must oppose the ideology of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), vicious terrorist groups that plan to overthrow governments in Muslim nations and establish a caliphate based on their perverted interpretation of Islam, Turks must also confront efforts by Erdoğan and his ideological allies to turn this great country into a bastion for a hypocritical authoritarian regime that simply abuses Islamic references to sustain its power.
…Just as all Muslims must oppose the ideology of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), vicious terrorist groups that plan to overthrow governments in Muslim nations and establish a caliphate based on their perverted interpretation of Islam, Turks must also confront efforts by Erdoğan and his ideological allies to turn this great country into a bastion for a hypocritical authoritarian regime that simply abuses Islamic references to sustain its power.
December 28, 2014
Gulen’s shadow hangs over Erdogan
Semih İdiz
Developments in the continuing war of attrition between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his one-time close ally turned nemesis, the Pennsylvania-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, continue to provide riveting material for foreign diplomats and journalists in Turkey.
Developments in the continuing war of attrition between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his one-time close ally turned nemesis, the Pennsylvania-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, continue to provide riveting material for foreign diplomats and journalists in Turkey.
Lawyer: Gülen will appeal court decision to cancel his green passport
Nurullah Albayrak, lawyer for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, said his client will appeal a Council of State ruling that Gülen's green passport was obtained illegally.
Barton: Erdoğan intoxicated by power, imperiling democracy in Turkey
Professor Greg Barton, acting director of the Centre for Islam and the Modern World at the Melbourne-based Monash University has expressed his concerns about the course of events in Turkey in terms of basic rights and democracy.
Hundreds gather in front of Silivri Prison to protest media crackdown
Hundreds of people gathered in front of Silivri Prison on Saturday to protest the detention of Samanyolu Broadcasting Group General Manager Hidayet Karaca, who is being held in custody in the prison as part of a government-orchestrated police operation targeting journalists, scriptwriters and police officers.
December 27, 2014
Dynamics of generating commitment within the Gülen movement
Helen Rose Ebaugh
A major empirical finding of Kanter’s study of American utopias that has subsequently influenced the commitment literature is that for a community to survive, three basic challenges of commitment have to be addressed (1). First, individuals come to see their own interest as sustained by group participation (2). Secondly, individuals feel an affective solidarity with the group (3),and, thirdly, the individual experiences a moral, transcendent authority in the group (4). These mechanisms can be summarized as strategies by which the group attempts to reduce the value of other possible commitments and increases the value of commitment to the group; in other words, processes both detaching him or her from other options and attaching him to the community. In particular, Kanter’s research shows a positive correlation between sacrifice and investment in terms of generating commitment. The more costly the sacrifice, the greater the value placed by the individual on the goals of the group. Data in this book support Kanter’s contention by showing that financial contributions to Gülen-inspired projects not only manifest belief in the goals of the movement but that the giving itself is a commitment mechanism for involvement in the group.
A major empirical finding of Kanter’s study of American utopias that has subsequently influenced the commitment literature is that for a community to survive, three basic challenges of commitment have to be addressed (1). First, individuals come to see their own interest as sustained by group participation (2). Secondly, individuals feel an affective solidarity with the group (3),and, thirdly, the individual experiences a moral, transcendent authority in the group (4). These mechanisms can be summarized as strategies by which the group attempts to reduce the value of other possible commitments and increases the value of commitment to the group; in other words, processes both detaching him or her from other options and attaching him to the community. In particular, Kanter’s research shows a positive correlation between sacrifice and investment in terms of generating commitment. The more costly the sacrifice, the greater the value placed by the individual on the goals of the group. Data in this book support Kanter’s contention by showing that financial contributions to Gülen-inspired projects not only manifest belief in the goals of the movement but that the giving itself is a commitment mechanism for involvement in the group.
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