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.

Texans experience Turkish culture by volunteering

After helping to distribute charity Kimse Yok Mu's (Is Anybody There) Eid al-Adha care packages to families in Turkey, four Americans traveling across the country shared their satisfying experiences with local Turkish families.

NTIC distributes 700 cows

Many people, including orphans, widows and the disabled, benefitted from about 700 cows slaughtered and distributed by the Nigerian Turkish International College (NTIC) Foundation during the Eid el-Kabir celebrations in Abuja last week.

Erdoğan steps up hateful speech against Gülen

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stepped up his attacks on Monday against members of a leading civil society group who are critical of his divisive discourse and discriminatory policies, calling the group modern “Lawrences of Arabia.”

Needy Romanians provided with aid by students of Turkish school

Students studying at International Bucharest College, opened by entrepreneurs affiliated with Hizmet Movement, distributed aid boxes to economically disadvantaged students at the weekend.

Erdoğan knows no limit in violating Constitution under immunity

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is still acting as though he is prime minister and party leader, is trying to design politics in accordance with his own political agenda based on hatred and revenge and has come under fire for violating the Constitution by being politically partial and breaching the articles defining the president's authority and responsibilities.

You can't lead a country by blank decree!

Ali Aslan Kılıç

The success of any leadership is essentially tied to the shared decision-making capabilities of its cadres. When one person -- the one at the helm of leadership -- begins making decisions solely on his or her own, leadership cadres are transformed into decorative accessories, and nothing more. In fact, it is one of the most distinctive features of rising authoritarianism; that leadership cadres become less and less perceptible.

Gülen: Associating Hizmet with violent Kobani protests great slander

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has said the attempts to depict the Hizmet movement as being linked to the recent violent protests across Turkey, triggered by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) siege of the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani, is a great slander, emphasizing that the movement has never been involved in any form of violence.

How Christians conspired Christian murders in Turkey

Orhan Kemal Cengiz

Last Wednesday, my Twitter followers attracted my attention to a “news piece.” The “news” was in Aksam daily, one of the semi-official newspapers of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). When I looked at it, I immediately saw my name and other words, such as “Zirve murder,” “parallel structure” and so on in its headline at the top of the paper.

Gaza group: Oppression targeting Kimse Yok Mu harms needy the most

Gaza Peace Volunteers Association Chairman Dr. Nasser al-Sadi has expressed his frustration at a recent government decision to cancel the Turkish charity Kimse Yok Mu's (Is Anybody There?) permission to collect donations for the rest of the year, saying that the charity's ongoing flow of aid to many regions in Turkey and abroad, including Gaza, has now come to a halt.

Turkish aid organization becomes direct target of AK Party

Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There?), a UN-affiliated aid organization based in Turkey and the only Turkish organization that has a large outreach presence in 113 countries, continues to be a direct target of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government due to the latter's hatred of the faith-based Hizmet movement, which inspired the work of the organization.

Mali Minister pledges to maintain good relations with Kimse Yok Mu

High state officials of Mali praised Kimse Yok Mu's aid campaigns in the wake of a September 22 decision from the Turkish Cabinet to revoke the nonprofit organization's license to collect donations without government permission.

Turkey's greatest service to the Muslim world

Abdülhamit Bilici

Turkey was a shining star during the years that it implemented democratic reforms internally and improved relations with other countries, particularly its neighbors. Both the West and the Muslim world were watching Turkey's progress intently and its economic success and democratic transformation would be referred to as exemplary.