Hakan Şükür’s resignation


Date posted: December 22, 2013

HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE

The resignation of İstanbul deputy Hakan Şükür from his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is not an ordinary resignation. It is the most serious incident that disrupts the prestige of the AK Party in the eyes of pious voters.

Şükür’s statement about his resignation must be carefully studied. This statement explains the Hizmet movement‘s perspective regarding the recent row between the government and the Hizmet community for the first time and with a clear wording.

Şükür is not an ordinary politician. He was a soccer player loved by millions of people. He has a venerable, honest and straightforward stance. He respects and is loyal to Fethullah Gülen and is trustworthy, brave and true-hearted. Likewise, he is respectful also towards the prime minister and thankful for his services to our country.

I am sure Şükür faced inner battles before making up his mind. And this process has nothing to do with what AK Party Deputy Chairman Mehmet Ali Şahin meant by saying, “I came to the AK Party by order and I left the party by order.” It was impolite of Şahin to make such a remark. It is wrong to make hasty judgments about people.

I am sure Şükür felt great pain in making this decision. The AK Party’s voter base and the Hizmet movements have been feeling similar troubles for several months. Therefore, those who attempt to defame Şükür, as if he did this by the orders of the Hizmet movement, will be denounced in the consciences of the general public.

In his statement, Şükür actually expressed the emotions of the Hizmet movement. What actually makes the Hizmet movement feel resentful against the government? Which action of the prime minister has hurt them? Who is really disloyal and ungrateful?

What does this resignation tell us?

First, this resignation will affect the political scene. If you ask me, “Won’t everything be the same?” I cannot say “everything will be the same.” This should be perceived as a threat. I am saying this as someone who has been trying to mend relations for weeks.

The AK Party made three mistakes. First, they launched a meaningless, inexplicable campaign to close down prep schools. Ahead of approaching elections, they tried to patronize the community. Although everything was going well, the government wanted to shut down prep schools as an unexpected attack and in the run-up to elections. Remember: Gülen had been hospitalized and the prime minister had called him, expressing his good wishes. Prayers were exchanged. Then, Gülen thanked the prime minister by running a full-page newspaper ad. Then came the unexpected decision to shut down prep schools. Therefore, it is not the Hizmet movement that started the row: it was the government.

Secondly, the prime minister kept silent while someone labeled the Hizmet movement as an organization while an AK Party deputy described it as a “parallel network just like the Kurdish Communities Union [KCK].” This silence by the prime minister and the AK Party management broke the hearts of so many followers of the Hizmet movement.

Third, they treated the people who prayed to God for the non-closure of the AK Party in 2008 as enemies. Moreover, there was the profiling of people, which some AK Party managers described as “immoral.” And the AK Party management still remains silent about this profiling.

Those who wage a defamation campaign against Şükür must know that he is the brave, lionhearted hero of the Hizmet movement. Please look at the matter from this perspective as well.

Published on Today’s Zaman, 17 December 2013, Tuesday

Source: Hizmet Movement , December 22, 2013


Related News

Hizmet-affiliated educational institutions succeed in TEOG exam

The results of the Transition from Primary to Secondary Education (TEOG) exam that was administered on Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 13-14 to eighth graders across Turkey show that students who prepared for the exam in Hizmet movement-affiliated schools did better than those who studied in other institutions.

East Indian Activist Supports Inter-cultural Dialog and Gulen Movement

Swami Agnivesh, 72, a Hindu social activist best known for his work against bonded labor said on a recent visit to Istanbul that he believed in intercultural dialog and Fethullah Gulen’s liberal ideas. Agnives said he was impressed with the Fethullah Gulen Movement’s work to find fellowship between cultures. Agnives came to know Fethullah Gulen through the […]

Paranoia: Turkish ‘hero’ T-shirts land dozens in jail

Dozens of people are being rounded up all over Turkey for wearing white T-shirts with the word “hero” printed in English across the front. The arrests are being carried out based on the suspicion that the wearers are sympathisers and supporters of Fethullah Gulen.

The Muslim Cleric Who Fell in Love With Democracy

Gülen say, “The principles and form of government that form the basis of democracy are compatible with Islamic values. Consultation, justice, freedom of religion, protection of the rights of individuals and minorities, the people’s say in the election of those who would govern them…[are] principles espoused by both Islam and democracy.”

Gülen files criminal complaint over smear campaign

Gülen’s lawyer Nurallah Albayrak said Yusuf Ünal crossed beyond freedom of speech by launching defamation campaign against the Turkish Islamic scholar, attacking his personality.

Lawyers, academics say ‘parallel state’ was invented to block graft probe

A total of 150 academics signed the manifesto, titled “Rule of law suspended.” The manifesto says the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government cannot ignore the corruption allegations just by making up claims of a “parallel state” — which has no meaning in political science or law — and placing the blame on the Hizmet movement, which is inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, for its unlawful practices.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

A serious question for a respected newspaper

Turkish schools in Romania awarded with certificate of excellence

U.S. State Department, Citing Security, Suspends [Fulbright] Teaching Program in Turkey

Kimse Yok Mu restoring eyesight to the needy blind in Pakistan

Peace Islands Institute Annual Ramadan Dinner

Peace Islands Institute Awards Recognize Excellence

The cleric, the coup and the conspiracy

Copyright 2024 Hizmet News