Turkish NGOs preparing to distribute aid to poor during Eid al-Adha

This year's Eid al-Adha, Islam's most important religious holiday, will be a time to remember the poor, with an increased sense of spirituality and civil society organizations in Turkey striving to put smiles on the faces of the needy.

Each year, Turkish aid organizations -- including Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There?), the Humanitarian Aid Foundation (İHH) and the Cansuyu Aid and Solidarity Association -- distribute food, clothing, money and other forms of assistance to the less fortunate both in Turkey and around the globe during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), which begins on Oct. 25 this year.

Fethullah Gulen's book translated into Belarusian

A book by renowned Turkish-Islamic intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gulen, which has previously been translated into many languages, is now available in the Belarusian language.

"I believe the Gulen movement will protect my son from the terrorists"

As PKK terrorist organization burns the schools in southeastern Turkey, a father's school preference for his son, located in Batman province has started a debate.

A letter to Fethullah Gulen from a Catholic Priest

In Niğde, we visited the schools of the Sungurbey Education Foundation, established by by a private businessman-donor, Celal Afşar, whom we were privileged to have as our host.

He is also a close colleague of Fethullah Gülen and good friend of Fr. Alexei Smith. Mr. Afşar asked Fr. Alexei to write a letter to Mr. Gülen describing our group and the nature of our trip, which Mr. Afşar will deliver personally to him when he visits him next week in the USA. Here are excerpts from the letter:

Southern California priests participate in landmark trip to Turkey

Paula Doyle

Twelve archdiocesan priests are exploring ancient Christian sites and visiting Catholic faith communities in Turkey this week, as part of a trip organized exclusively for Catholic clergy by an organization of Turkish-American Muslims that promotes intercultural and interreligious awareness.

Father Alexei Smith, archdiocesan director of ecumenical/interreligious affairs, and Msgr. Thomas Welbers, pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills, are co-leading the trip, which is being sponsored and organized by the Pacifica Institute.

Fethullah Gulen on "Ijtihad – Independent Reasoning"

Q: The subject of ijtihad (independent reasoning) has been debated in the Muslim world for a long time. Some thought that the door of ijtihad was closed, and of course this caused a stagnation of reasoning. What might be the criteria to use the methodology of ijtihad?

Fethullah Gulen: The word Ijtihad, independent reasoning, literally means “to use all your power and effort in order to bring some hard and difficult works into existence.” In Islamic terminology, the word means “to use all your power to deduct some hypothetical judicial decisions from the clear sources (adilla-i tafsiliyyah) of Islamic law.” The one who makes this effort is called a Mujtahid. The issue in which these efforts are made is called Mujtahadun fih.

Fethullah Gulen on "Intellectual Rebirth in Muslim World"

Q: For centuries, the Muslim world has not produced many great intellectuals. What might be the reason for this? Is it possible to have an intellectual rebirth?

Fethullah Gulen: It depends what is meant by intellectuals. The lack of intellectualism, which gives priority to reason against feelings and will and makes thought the source of creativity, is not a great loss for the Islamic world. There is no doubt that the Islamic world lacks intellectuals who are aware and knowledgeable about their own existence and able to interpret and understand the creation correctly. It is a great loss for the Islamic world to lack intellectuals who are aware of the time in which they live and ready to question it and able to voice with no hesitation what they know. It is unfortunate that the Islamic world lacks such enlightened intellectuals. Here, I have to explain some issues.

Yemeni PM opens new Turkish school, praises Turkey as regional power

Yemen's Prime Minister Muhammad Salim Basindwa has said that Yemen is proud of Turkey as a regional partner, expressing hope that Turkey will also be an international power in the near future, the Anatolia news agency reported on Sunday.

Fethullah Gulen on "Re-Establishing Caliphate"

Q: After the abolishment of the Caliphate (Khilafah) in Turkey, many new movements to restore this institution arose, especially in India. Thinking of the fast development in our world, do you think that the Caliphate could be re-established? Or is the Caliphate an unattainable utopia? What are your thoughts?

Fethullah Gulen: When the institution of the Caliphate was abolished there were many views articulated either for this or against it. A contemporary Turkish sociologist, Ziya Gokalp, and those following his line of thought had the following approach: “The institution of the Khilafah which draws its power from the Turkish Grand National assembly has an honorable place among Muslims. If there is no such institution, the world of Islam will be similar to a rosary which has no center (imamah); all the beads would fall off.” Thinkers like Seyyid Bey believed that, “Khilafah (the Caliphate) has a wise purpose and it is the issue of the nation itself and it follows the requirements of the time. When the Prophet died, he did not mention anything about Khilafah (the succession) to his Companions. In fact, even in the Qur’an there is no verse to this effect.” Seyyid emphasizes the importance of consultation and obedience to the rulers, as mentioned in the Qur’an. These two aspects are related to administration and politics. He believes that with the caliphate of Ali, the fourth caliph in Islamic history, in the thirtieth year of the Islamic calendar, the caliphate came to an end. In this regard, he mentions the opinions of scholars of Islamic law and Islamic thought. He speaks of the historicity of Khilafah, in one sense, and suggests that one should benefit from this experience and understand the goal and the aim of Khilafah. According to Seyyid, the rulers who came after the first four caliphs were not real caliphs; in appearance they were caliphs, but in quality they did not follow the previous caliphs. With this opinion, he supported the abolishment of Khilafah as found in the following statement of Turkish parliament: “The caliph has been deposed. The institution of Khilafah is abolished since the meaning and the context of this institution has been absorbed into the government and the republic.”

Gulen Movement and the Environment

Mustafa Kasim Erol *

Are We Doing Enough to Save the Environment?
An Islamic Response from the Gulen Movement

There are increasing concerns across the world for the necessity of looking after of our environment which surrounds us. The obvious reason behind the increase of that awareness has been the contribution of various organisations that have been keeping many issues relevant to the environment such as global warming, droughts, pollution etc. for our attention. People’s concerns come from various motives and causes where many of them are very obvious and there is no need to mention here. I believe that one of them is very important but not implicated in the way it should be. That is religious motives and reasons. I would like to narrow the issue to the motives of Islam for the environmental awareness in brief, then I will look into Gulen movement (aka Hizmet movement), which operates worldwide. This will include opinions of its founder and movement’s activities, which show Islamic awareness on the ecology, environment and other relevant issues surrounding that.

Earthquakes strengthen Taiwan, Turkey friendship

Christie Chen

Two major earthquakes that struck 13 years ago far apart from each other, have brought two distant countries - Taiwan and Turkey - together on the path of humanitarian aid.

"I was certain that my house was going to collapse," Turkey-based Taiwanese businessman Faisal Hu recalled the night of Aug. 17, 1999, when a 7.6 earthquake hit Turkey, claiming tens of thousands of lives.

Gulen-inspired Afghan Turkish schools have won 75 medals in 2012

The students of Afghan Turkish schools have won 75 medals in international science olympiads this year. The students who won medals were rewarded at an award ceremony at Afghan Turkish School in Kabul. These students have brought to Afghanistan 12 gold, 24 silver and 39 bronze medals, 75 medals in total.

Fethullah Gülen expresses thanks for condolences extended after brother's death

Fethullah Gulen

Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has thanked those who expressed their condolences following the death of his brother, Hasbi Nidai Gülen, last week.

An interfaith concert of Muslim-Jewish harmony

Robert Wiener

For years, Phil Kruger of Montville has been interested in interfaith dialogue. He’s led fellow members of Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell in comparative studies of the Koran, the Torah, and the Christian Bible, and led a group of Jews, Christians, and Muslims in regular text study.

Now he is taking his interest in a musical direction — as the organizer of an Oct. 20 concert of Jewish and Muslim musicians.

Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right

Dr. Brian L. Desbiens *

As kids, our parents told us: “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

So it is with confusion and sadness that I read about the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi and the death of Ambassador Stevens. The violence was allegedly carried out in reaction to the airing of an American film that depicted the Prophet Muhammad— a known insult to Muslim tradition, which forbids any illustration of Islam’s most sacred prophet. Upon reflection, we see there are at least two “wrongs” being committed, and no, they don’t “make a right.”

Turkish delight: The multi-cultural call of South Africa's newest mosque

Kalim Rajab

The Nizamiye Mosque and Complex, built with largely Turkish funding, was officially opened last week by President Zuma. Truly exquisite, there is no structure comparable to it in Southern Africa or in what it means for South Africans and interfaith harmony.

Fethullah Gülen's brother laid to rest amid grief

Hasbi Nidai Gülen

Hundreds bid farewell to Hasbi Nidai Gülen, the brother to one of Turkey's leading Islamic scholars Fethullah Gülen, at a funeral ceremony in his hometown of Erzurum on Sunday. Gülen died Friday morning in a hospital in Ankara, where he was receiving treatment for lung cancer. He was 66.

Rumi Peace and Dialogue Awards given in Washington

The Rumi Forum, a nongovernmental organization established in the United States to improve interfaith and intercultural dialogue, gave its traditional Rumi Peace and Dialogue Awards in a ceremony held in Washington on Wednesday.

Gulen-inspired Turkish firm offers to set up schools in Sindh

[Inspired by ideas of Fethullah Gulen, a] Turkish foundation has offered to establish state-of-the-art institutions across the province in a bid to help the Sindh government improve the education sector.

NGOs from 80 nations share intercultural experiences at GYV meeting

İpek Üzüm

Representatives of Turkish-run nongovernmental organizations from 80 countries, established by people inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen's teachings, have shared their experiences of intercultural and interfaith dialogue during a three-day meeting organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV).

A festival in Houston

Beril Dedeoğlu

The Syrian crisis has turned the social transformation process in the Arab world into well-known inter-state tensions. As of today, when talking about possible ways to resolve the Syrian crisis, we only mention states and their policies.

It isn't fair to tar 1.8 billion for actions of a few

We, the undersigned members of the Auburn Ministerial Association, wish to disassociate ourselves from the remarks made by the Rev. Rudy Tidwell about Islam and Muslims in the Sept. 20 edition of The Auburn-Opelika News for these reasons:

Book on Fethullah Gulen's teachings to be taught at Belarus universities

A group of academics from Belarus were in Istanbul on Tuesday for the presentation of the book “Social and Philosophical Aspects of the Teaching of Gülen: The Look of Belarusian Intellectuals,” which will be used in the county's universities as a course book.

Hira Magazine Brings Together Arab Scholars in Istanbul

Gulen conference by Hira Magazine, Istanbul

Egypt’s prominent scholars came together at a conference titled “According to Gulen, the Basic Dynamics of the Resurrection” on Thursday in Istanbul. The Egyptian scholars have shared the results of their study on “the horizon of thought” of the scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Members of the Egyptian Parliament Visited the Turkish School in Cairo

About 40 members of the Egyptian Parliament visited the Salahaldin International Turkish School in Cairo. They had dinner at Turkish School with their families before their upcoming trip to Turkey. Turkish ambassador to Egypt Huseyin Avni Botsali hosted the dinner. Students of Turkish school sang songs in Arabic and in English after the dinner.

Botsali mentioned in his speech that Turkey sincerely supports democratic improvement in Egypt. He emphasized that both Turkey and Egypt must overcome poverty and ignorance in order to take the right place in world politics.

Turkish, Pakistani teachers observe ‘their’ day

International Teachers’ Day was observed by Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges system as Turkish teachers were joined in by parents and students to acknowledge the contributions of the faculty members towards services for better education, training and nurturing the younger generations in Pakistan.

A Classic Hatchet Job

Scott C. Alexander

In response to the Stephen Schwartz's recent article that appeared on Gatestone Institute's website:

I am puzzled by the fact that a man as seemingly intelligent and articulate as Mr. Schwartz appears to have deliberately misread the Op-Ed piece by Mr. Gülen. I say this because, in the very beginning of Mr. Schwartz's critique, he clearly demonstrates that he has no intention of striving for even the least degree of objectivity and fairness in his analysis of Gülen's remarks. In fact, I am saddened to say that what Mr. Schwartz attempts to offer as a trenchant critique of Gülen and the global Gönüllüler Hareketi ("Volunteers' Movement") amounts to little more than a hatchet job on a religious leader who has inspired thousands, perhaps millions, of men and women to a reawakening of their faith and a faith-based commitment to service.

In Houston, a celebration

Yavuz Baydar

Not at all surprising, a trip to Houston, Texas, demands thorough preparation to spend time in a hothouse. At this time of the year, you feel the humidity at its worst, which helps you understand why the vastly spread cityscape is one of the most air-conditioned places on earth.

Yet, it is a magnet that attracts more and more people because of the work it offers, its vibrant industries and the chances it gives for a good life. Despite the fact that it is a location no Native American tribe ever chose to settle due to such unpleasant living conditions, mosquito assaults, etc., it is the fourth largest city in the US, covering 660 square miles (1062 square kilometers).

An untold African story: Gulen Movement activities

Emre Çelik *

Kudos to them! I had the privilege of traveling to Africa recently. It was somewhat a whirlwind tour of 4 countries - South Africa, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Kenya and Ethiopia. It was full of many surprises. I hope to share some of my thoughts and feelings over the course some words in this article.


Fethullah Gulen

The purpose of this journey was to discover and note the Hizmet activities (commonly referred to as the Gulen Movement in academic circles). For the uninitiated, Hizmet is a loosely connected group of individuals and NGOs inspired by the ideas and ideals of Fethullah Gulen - a Turkish Muslim scholar and thinker. The movement's activities span some 140 or so countries occupying an important place in the field of education, intercultural dialogue, health and relief activities. The main emphasis is a selfless approach to serving all others while personally gaining God's pleasure.

The Gülen Effect: Filipino Muslims, Christians connect for peace

Suat Erguvan

Harmony, tolerance stem from Turkish schools

Most children of the picturesque city of Zamboanga in the Philippines’ troubled south are groomed to be cautious in making friends believing in a different religions.

Zamboanga Peninsula, the sixth most populous region and the third geographically largest in the Philippines, is home to 70 per cent Christians and 30% percent Buddhist and Muslim people.

South African President Applauds New Turkish Mosque

The Nizamiye Mosque -
(Photo: Madelene Cronjé)

Johannesburg - South Africa's tourism is set to benefit from the first mosque built in South Africa to cater for the Turkish Islamic community, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

Speaking at the official opening of the mosque - a first on the continent of Africa and the largest religious complex in the southern hemisphere - Zuma said the facility will help create greater understanding and tolerance between diverse religions.

Place and Role of Tourism in the Intercultural Dialogue

Dedicated to September 27 World Tourism Day, a conference on "The role and place of tourism in the intercultural dialogue", was held in the Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism in preparation for the World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, which will take place in May 2013.

Fethullah Gülen on “Political Islam” versus “Islamic Duty”

Fabio Vicini *

Fethullah Gülen thinks that in order to spread its beneficial effects, the religious message should reach as many members of society as possible. However, he rejects any political use of Islam. He argues religion cannot be yielded to party needs because it cannot be reduced to an ideological instrument. In his words politics “darkens religion’s spirit, for religion belongs to everyone” (1). This does not mean he is refusing secular forms of governance. In his discourses he upholds democracy, which, in his opinion, is the most fair form of political organization known to men.

Fethullah Gulen on "Political Islam"

Q: In a time when political Islam has become very popular, what are your thoughts on the relationship between Islam and politics?

Fethullah Gulen: In my opinion, people have either gone too far or not far enough with regards to understanding the relationship between Islam and politics. Some have said that the religion of Islam has no relationship with politics; others have perceived the religion as politics itself, ignoring the varied and rich aspects of religion. In the Holy Qur’an, there are verses concerning administration and politics. The Prophet’s practices also occupy an important place in this regard. For example, the Qur’anic terms “ulu al-amr” (those who rule), “ita’at” (obedience to the rulers), “shura” (consultation), “harb” (war), and “sulh” (peace), are all examples of some Qur’anic references with regard to political and legal decisions. In addition, there are Qur’anic verses related to legal institutions and also some which point to politics and governing.

Women Rights in Turkey Discussed with “Semester at Sea” Students

The Journalists and Writers Foundation Women’s Platform hosted a group for students from Semester at Sea, a University of Virginia-sponsored college program that began in 1963 in the United States.

It happened

Joost Lagendijk

Since the verdict in the Sledgehammer trial last Friday, the public relations war on how to interpret the ruling is in full swing.

Is it, as this paper has been saying, a historic step in Turkey's democratization process? Should it be seen as a miscarriage of justice, based on fake documents and inspired by feelings of vengeance, as other media outlets want us to believe? Or should we be careful not to jump to conclusions and wait until the judges have published their arguments?

900 Somali orphans delighted with gifts

900 orphan children, in Mogadishu, were delighted to receive gifts such as clothes, candy, toys, pocket money, and pencils.

The joy of Eid for everyone

KYM brought Bayram (Eid al-Fitr) joy to everyone by delivering clothing to 28,952 families.

Volunteers didn't leave Syrian refugees alone

The KYM Association's Gaziantep branch didn't leave the Syrian refugees who remain in the district of Hatay Yayladagi alone during Bayram (Eid Al-Fitr).

Violence is not in the tradition of the Prophet

Fethullah Gülen

Muslims pray each day: “O Lord! Keep us on the straight path.” It is a prayer to help us move away from the extremes and maintain balance in our lives. We must neither be hostage to our reactionary instincts, nor must we remain completely silent in the face of the systematic defamation of our values and beliefs. This balance has been upset by the violent response to the insults targeting the legacy of beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The violent response was wrong and strayed from the straight path.

Fethullah Gülen: Violent response to anti-Muslim movie damaging Islam’s image

World renowned Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has said an anti-Islam movie that has caused sometimes violent protests by Muslims across the world is an abuse of freedom of speech and condemned the violent response to the film as “wrong” that is damaging the image of Islam.

Teaching Peace in Schools

Alp Aslandoğan *

This week New York City hosts the United Nations General Assembly, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Education Nation conference. These massive events focus on international diplomacy and peace, societal problem-solving and improving classroom instruction. However, just a few blocks away from these grand assemblies, a smaller group met for the first time to tackle all these issues with a single, bold strategy.

New York conference highlights Turkish schools' contribution to world peace

Esra Koşar

Education ministers and academics from various countries highlighted the contributions to world peace made by Turkish schools inspired by internationally respected Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen during a conference held in New York on Monday.

'Kimse Yok Mu' Lends Hand To Kenyans Despite Difficulties

Turkish humanitarian aid organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) is striving to carry out its charitable activities under difficult conditions in Kenya.

Izetbegovic praises Turkish schools and universities abroad

Ayten Çiftçi

The Bosniak member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic, expressed his admiration for Turkish schools and universities abroad in an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman on Monday.

Peacebuilding Through Education

Maria Cat Sandoval

With the UN gathering in New York, education officials from all around the world also came together to focus on global youth education, and individual student success stories.

Fethullah Gülen's message to the conference "Peacebuilding through Education"

Fethullah Gulen

Thank you for your kind invitation to the Peacebuilding through Education conference*, and I regret being unable to join you today. The theme you cover in this conference is a very dear one, and I feel very honored to be a part of it through The Fountain Magazine that continues to publish my essays. I have been penning my humble writings with hopes for a contribution, as much as an essay can go, to a greater good of our world, to a better understanding of the meaning of our lives, to a greater appreciation of being human – the best of creation – and to the promotion of mutual respect and tolerance among nations, and all the other values and high goals The Fountain aims to uphold in its pages and cherished not to a lesser degree by the co-sponsors of this conference.

Norwegian Christian leader: Islamophobia not just fear, includes hatred

Sevgi Akarçeşme

Gunnar Stalsett, the bishop emeritus of Oslo, warned about a hatred of Islam at a joint panel discussion organized by the Abant Platform and Fountain Magazine in İstanbul on Friday.

Moronic abuse vs. responsible use of freedom of expression

Mehmet Kalyoncu *

Recently, four American diplomats, including the US ambassador to Libya, were killed in Benghazi by a group of morons, protesting a so-called movie insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), produced by a moron in California and supported by another moron in Florida.

Fethullah Gulen on "Islam and Democracy"

Q: Is it possible to reconcile Islam with democracy? How do you see the lack of democracy in many Muslim countries; and do you see this lack of democracy as a deficit for Muslim nations?

Fethullah Gulen: On the issue of Islam and democracy, one should remember that the former is a divine and heavenly religion, while the latter is a form of government developed by humans. The main purposes of religion are faith (iman), servanthood to God (ubudiyyah), knowledge of God (ma’rifah), and beautiful actions (ihsan). The Qur’an, in its hundreds of verses, invites people to the faith and worship of the True (al-Haqq). It also asks people to deepen their servanthood to God in a way that they may gain the consciousness of ihsan. “To believe and do good deeds,” is among the subjects that Qur’an emphatically stresses. It also frequently reminds people that they must develop a conscious relationship with God and act as if they see God, or as if they are seen by God.

Gulen calls on Muslims to pray for Turkey

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has called on Muslim communities worldwide to pray against misfortunes and troubles, especially in Turkey, according to Herkül.org.

Reflections on the Qur’an

Tarık Özgür

Fethullah Gülen covers in his Reflections on the Qur’an a wide array of topics, ranging from piety, worship, sincerity, wickedness, hypocrisy, patience, gratefulness, to guidance, “sakinah,” reflection, humbleness, proper worship, and God’s “nur” or light. For example, on Surat-al Ahzab, verse 4, Mr. Gülen explains what is meant by, “God has not made two hearts for any man,” and how this is related to hypocrisy. Mr. Gülen writes that all people have the tendency to be worshippers of God and that if man does not worship God alone he will devote himself and his admiration to other things besides God; worldly things such as money, power, and fame. Mr. Gülen explains that this verse tells us to devote ourselves to God, because it is not possible for anyone to sincerely worship both God and something else. Therefore, people who are addicted to worldly pleasures can only pretend to worship God to please everyone around them, and the Qur’an refers to these kinds of people as hypocrites.

Translating the Qur'an into Action

Hüseyin Bingül

An average English reader is often familiar with the Shakespearean character Hamlet and his inaction—or rather, delay in action—being at variance with his strong aspiration to restore order to the world around him. Despite his beautiful country rotting around him, the young nobleman Hamlet vacillates between listening to the inner voice of “the man of contemplation” and the inner voice of “the man of action.” The desolate quietness and inactivity of many intellectuals and thinkers of our modern age looks very much like the inability of Hamlet’s taking action. And when they finally decide to carry out their ideas, they mostly end up taking the wrong action, as in the Shakespearean tragedy of Hamlet. One may certainly be a man of original thoughts and lofty ideals, but thoughts go in vain unless they are implemented in practical, daily life. Dr. Suat Yıldırım rightly puts forward in his foreword to the honorable scholar and author M. Fethullah Gülen’s Reflections on the Qur’an that, “Integrating theoretical knowledge and thought with action is very rare, and indeed according to many is even impossible. Undoubtedly this assessment is true to an extent, but there are always exceptions, like the works of Fethullah Gülen. A renowned scholar and man of action and thought, Gülen adds this new work to his existing collection of more than fifty [now seventy] books.”[1]

Walking in the shoes of others: Stepping in and out of Turkey

Michael Samuel *

What inspires migrants to leave home, friends and country to cross over into unknown worlds? Often many make the journey driven by the prospects of better life opportunities. Others seek escape of refuge from oppressive regimes. Some journey the paths onto the other side having themselves been abandoned by their countries of origin. Some patterns of migration have been fueled by natural disasters; others may be voluntary or forced movements of whole communities, or individual trajectories. Early colonial conquests throughout history have also seen these migratory paths as journeys of conquest or plundering, of seeking new markets, of evangelism, of stamping one’s identity on the alien land. Usually these migratory relationships produce contestations of power and hierarchy between host and source countries: those in authority begin to become more conscious about how they police their boundaries of geography, class, race, caste, and religion – their identities. Although migration patterns are oftentimes constructed around the opening up of new ventures within the host countries, it is usually understood as a posing of a threat to any culture. The foreigner is always regarded with skepticism as she or he usually heralds new sources of influence. The migrant himself or herself is usually caste with uncertainties and ambiguities around their future. Some more orchestrated movements of peoples, such as the movements during the slave trades of the 16th and 17th century, have led to patterns of inequity and injustice which permeate over many centuries (Bourne, 2011).

Murdering the US ambassador to Libya: Anti-Westernism and Islamophobia

Ahmet Kuru *

US Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed a few days ago as a result of either a calculated terrorist attack or random violent anti-US protests in Libya.