Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On Assault on Press Freedom in Turkey Senate Floor

U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy*

Mr. President, I have spoken many times on the Senate floor in defense of press freedom because it is a fundamental cornerstone of a democratic society. Today I want to briefly draw the Senate’s attention to the situation in Turkey, one of the many countries in the world where this basic right is under threat by officials in the government who seek to silence their critics.

Whistleblower Fuat Avni: Gov’t to plant weapons in Hizmet buildings to declare it terrorist group

A government whistleblower who tweets under the pseudonym Fuat Avni has alleged that the government is planning to plant weapons and ammunition in houses and buildings used by followers of the Hizmet movement in order to declare the movement a terrorist organization ahead of the upcoming general election.

13+ age restriction for Selam movie draws reactions from film critics

Age restrictions by Turkey's state-run Cinema Evaluation and Classification Board have drawn reactions from film critics as “Selam: Bahara Yolculuk” (Journey to Spring) -- a new feature film directed by Turkish actor-director Hamdi Alkan, and which opened in Turkey on March 13 -- has been issued a 13+ age rating.

US-based think tank says Gülen movement progressive in terms of pro-Kurdish reforms

A US-based think tank has released a report stating that the Gülen (Hizmet) movement, a grassroots civil society organization that has frequently accused government officials of obstructing the settlement negotiations between the government and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has a progressive attitude regarding pro-Kurdish reforms.

Nigeria wants more Turkish schools to increase quality of education

Dr. Mac-John Nwaobiala, the permanent secretary of the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Education, said on Sunday more Turkish schools must be opened in Nigeria to increase the quality of education.

Thousands of Pakistanis have cataract surgery courtesy of Kimse Yok Mu

The charity Kimse Yok Mu carried out cataract surgery on 5,000 people in the Pakistani city of Dera İsmail Khan in 2014.

What is this sympathy of yours for radical organizations?

Ekrem Dumanlı

The state-owned news agency recently reported a heart-wrenching news story.

BBP: Erdoğan admitted Penal Courts of Peace created to fight Hizmet

Grand Unity Party (BBP) Deputy Chairman Remzi Çayır has said that before the presidential election held on Aug. 10 of last year, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan acknowledged that the newly founded Penal Courts of Peace were established to fight against the Gülen movement (Hizmet movement), a civil society movement inspired by the teachings of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Connecticut chapter of Peace Islands Institute promotes peace by bringing people together

In his office at Church and Elm streets, Mehmet Erdogdu is working on bringing people of differing background and views closer together.

Turkish Cultural Center reaches out to Syracuse community to share its unique culture

The Turkish Cultural Center in Syracuse serves the local Turkish-American community. The organization strives to educate and inform the public about the many aspects of Turkey, Turkish culture and history.

Report highlights gov’t crackdown on independent journalism in Turkey

A 113-page report prepared by renowned journalist Yavuz Baydar has revealed the course of the tightening government grip on independent media outlets in the country and how the government has created a partisan media over the years, also offering some recommendations to the relevant bodies on how to eliminate restrictions on freedom of the press.

Nigeria: Federal Government honours NTIC with 7 awards

Federal Government has decorated the Nigeria-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) with seven defferent awards, in recognition of its performances in national academic Olympiads.

NMC Hails Turkish Colleges’ Performance In Sciences, Mathematics

National Mathematical Centre (NMC) has commended the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) for their various achievements in Mathematics and Science competitions.

Turkish Colleges wins mathematics, science awards

NIGERIAN Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) was on Tuesday honored by the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) for winning 12 awards in national and international Mathematics and Science Olympiads.

Plot concocted over Dink murder to smear Hizmet movement as terrorist

A new plan attempting to designate the Gülen movement -- also known as Hizmet -- as a terrorist organization has been put into practice following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hinting that the movement might be behind the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in 2007, several lawyers linked to the case have said.

Gülen calls on corrupt politicians to confess their sins, beg forgiveness

Turkish intellectual and Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen called on senior officials in Turkey on Friday to repent for their sins and lies made to scapegoat others and avoid the blame for their own corruption.

How to Fix Turkey's Fall From International Favor

Michael Shank, PhD*

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent attack on the West for "hate speech" and misattributing terrorism during the Paris attacks is ironic. Erdogan is erroneously doing both already: labeling the Gulen movement a terrorist organization and using hate speech to characterize it. In fact, Erdogan is cracking down on religious groups more heavily than ever before.

Atmosphere of intolerance becoming ever more ingrained, says PfF report

A press freedom report released on Friday says the atmosphere of intolerance, especially towards journalists, is becoming ever more ingrained in Turkey, citing the suing of three journalists by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, ongoing accreditation issues and the detention of journalists.

Mozambican minister: I will mention success of Turkish schools on every occasion

Mozambican National Defense Minister Atanásio Salvador M’tumuke was elected as the honorary president of Söğüt Turkish schools which have been operating in Mozambique. Minister M’tumuke who is known for his efforts for opening of schools in the capital city of Maputo and Matola stated that he will mention success of those schools on every occasion.

Charity Kimse Yok Mu to conduct 30,000 cataract surgeries

The charity organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) is planning to carry out 30,000 cataract surgeries in Africa and Asia in 2015.

Turkish-Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TICCI) launched to promote trade

New Delhi: In a bid to give new fillip to trade between India and Turkey, a new chamber for commerce named as the Turkish Indian-Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TICCI) was launched at a well-attended ceremony of business leaders and industrialists here on Tuesday evening. It aims to promote commercial and trade links between both the countries by creating more networking and collaboration opportunities.

What Turkey has been experiencing is a civilian coup, intellectuals say

Various intellectuals have said that while the Turkish Republic has already experienced military coups in its history, it is the first time that it has undergone a civilian coup, referring to the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) attempts to seize judicial and legislative bodies and take control of the country's media.

US politicians concerned over dwindling press freedom in Turkey

Members of the Texas state legislature expressed concerns over the declining freedom of the press in Turkey at a reception in Austin on Tuesday, saying the principle is crucial for freedom of expression and a healthy democracy.

Turkish businesswomen hold panel at the UN on female empowerment

The İstanbul-based Global Businesswoman Association (DünyaDer) held a panel on women's economic empowerment on Tuesday at the UN in New York in cooperation with the Women's Platform of the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) to discuss ways how to strengthen the socioeconomic position of women in the society.

Canadian institute honors Kimse Yok Mu

Intercultural Dialog Foundation located in Edmonton, Canada, awarded Kimse Yok Foundation (KYM) in recognition of its international aid efforts. Steve Young and Alana DeLong, two members of Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the foundation’s advisory board at the same time, hosted the award ceremony at Royal Glenora Club, Edmonton. In attendance were some 100 people including academics, public figures from diverse cultures, state officials, businesspeople, religious leaders and journalists.

Bank Asya lawyers to legally challenge state-body MASAK

Bank Asya’s lawyer Süleyman Taşbaş vows to challenge the Finance Ministry's Financial Crimes wing (MASAK) and the banking regulator calling for return of shares.

Members of US Congress withstand intense pressure over press freedom letter

Members of the US Congress who submitted a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry last month on the dismal state of media freedom in Turkey are standing firm behind their signatures despite intense pressure from the Turkish government and the pro-government media.

Turkish schools broke anti-black taboos in South Africa, says SA minister

South African Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor has praised Turkish schools operating in her country for helping to break the anti-black taboos of the nation's defunct apartheid regime, which claimed black people were unable to succeed in mathematics or sciences.

Government oppression of confederation hurts Turkish exports to Africa

As a part of a prolonged campaign of intimidation against opposition figures and institutions, the government has been engaging in oppression of the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) -- which had had a strong presence in African countries -- and contributing to the deterioration of already weakened Africa-bound Turkish exports.

Turkish doctors hailed for their assistance in CAR

Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs and Humanitarian Action Marguerite Samba of the Central African Republic (CAR) has expressed gratitude to the Global Doctors Movement, a Turkish organization, for their assistance and medical services.

BDDK balks at giving up control over Bank Asya

In spite of the fact that nearly 85 percent of Bank Asya's A-type shareholders -- who have the right to nominate board members -- have delivered the documents requested by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK), the absence of which was the basis for the BDDK's recent takeover of the bank's management, the watchdog agency has not given up control of the bank.

Belgian minister presents Turkish schools as example of high quality education

Joëlle Milquet, the minister of lower education for the French government, attended the opening ceremony of the Liege branch of the “Écoles Des Étoiles” (Schools of the Stars), which were founded by Turkish entrepreneurs in Belgium 10 years ago.

Peace and prosperity for Turkey lies in philosophy of Nursi says Altan Tan

The 56-year-old writer and politician Altan Tan is in a unique position, as he has witnessed many key developments in Turkey’s recent history, with a proximity to a number of values and movements that have shaped the country, transcending the major divisions in society.

Turkish charity dedicates well in Africa to brutally killed Özgecan Aslan

The Turkish charity organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There?) constructed a well in a small town in one of Africa's poorest countries, Chad, dedicated to the memory of Özgecan Aslan, who was brutally murdered in Mersin province on Feb. 11.

Turkey shies away from legal measures to provide equal opportunity in education

The recent move to close down prep schools that serve to significantly boost equal opportunity in education may be seen as yet another failure to promote equality on the part of a government which has not yet ratified a UNESCO agreement to end discrimination in education.

Gülen movement as creative and civil movement

Turgay Yavuz*

The Bergsonian philosophy had been a sanctuary for our intellectuals who used it to dispense with the "despair and darkness" in the face of the psychology of defeat stemming from the fall of the Ottoman Empire and drive the spiritual and psychological revival during the War of Independence. They sought to banish the effect of bleak moments by merging the modern mystical environment with folk customs and sufism in what Mustafa Şekip Tunç called creative perfection and what I referred to as a creative move -- which is one of the principles of the Bergsonian philosophy.

Kimse Yok Mu provides meal for 250 Syrians each day in southeastern Turkey

Turkish charity organization distributes meal every day for 250 Syrians who took refuge in Turkish southeastern province of Gaziantep due to ongoing war in their country.

Central African president: Turkish school will have no trouble in my country

Central African Republic (CAR) Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza has praised a prominent Turkish school's contributions to her country and assured that it will not experience any problems in the CAR as long as it carries out its educational activities “within the legal framework.”

Who is pro-Israel?

Abdülhamit Bilici

If you want to undermine the image and prestige of those who raise views that are different from those of the government in the “new Turkey,” the best thing you can do is accuse them of being traitors or pro-Israeli or pro-American.

CHP’s Oran debunks alleged plot to kill Erdoğan’s daughter via Twitter documents

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul deputy Umut Oran, who was accused by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the pro-government media of plotting on Twitter to assassinate Erdoğan's daughter Sümeyye, has refuted the claims via official documents provided by Twitter.

Arab bankers express concern over Asya intervention

A government intervention into a leading Turkish Islamic bank is a bad reflection on the country's banking sector, which has seen stable growth over the past decade, and the current uncertainty regarding Bank Asya needs to be addressed as quickly as possible, senior Arab bankers told Today's Zaman on Thursday.

Kaynak Holding to legally challenge pro-gov’t press and regulators

Kaynak Holding condemns the pro-government press slander and the Turkish banking watchdog BDDK's overhaul of shares its subsidiaries’ held in publicly traded Bank Asya.

'Members of Hizmet (the Gulen movement) show that love truly is a verb'

Andrew Kosorok

Several years ago two dozen men changed, in the blink of an eye, how an entire country viewed one quarter of the world’s population. Of course, I’m speaking of the tragic events of 9/11 wherein 3,000 American civilians were killed in moments.

Freedom comes with a price

Hidayet Karaca*

Currently, those who are concerned about the state of freedom in Turkey are paying a heavy price.

Yemeni authorities praise Turkish schools for persevering during hard times

Yemen's Education Ministry and scores of high-ranking officials and academics have expressed gratitude for Turkish educators and schools that have continued to offer educational services during difficult times in Yemen.

Fethullah Gülen extends condolences over death of Turkish literary giant

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has extended his condolences to the family and fans of Yaşar Kemal, one of Turkey's greatest writers, whose works were translated into 40 languages.

EP vice president says "parallel state" a conspiracy theory for many

The vice president of the European Parliament (EP) has said that the theory of a "parallel state," which has been forcefully endorsed by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government in the wake of corruption charges, is considered by many in Brussels to be a conspiracy theory.

Asya shares partially seized as S&P warns of risks

Turkey's banking watchdog, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK), said on Wednesday regulators had taken control of a small stake in Turkey's largest Islamic lender Bank Asya over what it described as an illegal share transaction.

S&P underlines Bank Asya takeover harbors potential political risks

Ratings agency Standard and Poor's said on Wednesday incidents surrounding Turkey's Bank Asya, which ended in its management takeover by regulators in early 2015, showed the potential for political risks to spill over into the financial system.

Pakistani students compete to advance to final of Turkish Olympiads

A total of 278 Pakistani students studying at Turkish schools, which have been operating in Pakistan for 19 years, competed in Pakistani leg of Turkish Olympiads to be qualified to participate in the 13 th International Turkish Olympiads.

Mr. Gülen's thoughts about political representation of Islam and democracy

What do you think about Mr. Gülen's thoughts about political representation of Islam and democracy?

What does Fethullah Gülen say about Islamists/Islamism?

Fethullah Gülen refutes in his speeches and writings Islamist claims for an Islamic political platform: “Islam does not propose a certain unchangeable form of government or attempt to shape it. Instead, Islam established fundamental principles that orient a government’s general character, leaving it to the people to choose the type and form of government according to time and circumstances.”

Gulen Movement, Civil Islam and Turkey’s Future

Uğur Kömeçoğlu

Over the last two decades, the Hizmet Movement has had a major influence on the ongoing transformation of Turkish political and religious life. The spread of Civil Islam has helped not only to usher in the post-Kemalist era, but it has also stimulated changes inside Turkish Islamism. Like the Muslim Brotherhood in Arab societies, the Turkish Islamist movement in the 1970s was hostile toward modernity, and it conflated religious belief with the need to struggle against the secular order and Western influences. The spread of Islamist ideology, therefore, has only sharpened the distinction between religious faith and loyalty to the modern Turkish state and its founding secularist ideology.

School Children, Not Tools Of War

Shehu Yakubu

AS a Nigerian who has experienced Turks and their culture both at home and in Turkey for over a decade of my life, I have come to see and feel Turkey as my second country. My first interaction with the Turkish society was through education in Abuja at one of their many schools nationwide before I went on to spend five years in Istanbul.

Youth address global poverty in Gülen Institute’s essay contest

Hundreds of young people from around the world pondered the issue of global poverty and proposed potential solutions based on their own research and experience in an international essay contest launched by the Gülen Institute, a US-based civil society organization.