Dr. Soltes: Hizmet cares for Turkey and humanity


Date posted: January 30, 2014

 

 

ANTALYA

Antalya Intercultural Dialog Center (AKDIM) hosted a conference entitled “Implications of Global Rise of Democracy for Today from a Rumi Perspective” at Ramada Plaza Hotel, Antalya, Turkey. The keynote speakers were the US academic Dr. Ori Soltes and journalist-author Erkan Tufan Aytav.

In his presentation, Dr. Soltes underscored Hizmet Movement homes in on selfless action with no expectation in return. “This is what I have seen in every Hizmet person I met. I see the attribute of selflessness in every Gulen-inspired person,” Soltes noted.

“No solid evidence exists”

Speaking of “parallel state” allegations voiced against Fethullah Gulen and the movement, which, he argues, are based on no solid evidence, “They care for this country and humanity, not their own egos,” Dr. Soltes said. He went on to say, “Gulen is living in Pennsylvania in the first place. And I haven’t seen any sound document or proof regarding the alleged parallel state. Third, this whole thing doesn’t fit together with what I read in Gulen’s books. I can tell the same by looking at the people I met in years. I don’t’ think they have anything to do with parallel state. I don’t even think such a thing exists in Turkey anyway.”

“Regrettable moves”

Referring to what’s happening in Turkey’s police department and judiciary as weird, “Similar incidents can take place in many countries having issues with themselves. It’s regrettable.”

“What’s going on in Turkey right now is, in fact, a test for democracy. Whether it’s going to survive or not is being tested, I believe,” Soltes said. Regarding the transition of countries to true democracy, Soltes argued even the US has been trying for 75 years to comply with principles of democracy. “Turkey is on the verge of a critical turning point. Will its democracy be able to get through crisis times? This is what we’re going to see. Yet, we need admit by looking at the past that it’s not so easy to achieve. It’s going to be much easier so long as we recognize how hard it is,” Soltes added.

“Rumi was accused of being a traitor for Mongolia”

The journalist-author Aytav noted that there are parallels between what Gulen –who, he believes, fulfills a critical mission- has been going through and what Rumi did. “Rumi was accused of being a traitor for Mongolia by the people of his time. Gulen shares the same fate. It’s never changed. There are many parallels between Gulen and Rumi, in this regard,” Aytav said.

Published [in Turkish] on Cihan, 10 January 2014, Friday

Source: Hizmetmovement Blogspot , January 30, 2014


Related News

Ex-FM Yakış defends Turkish schools as the torch bearer of Ottoman vision

Yaşar Yakış is a founder and former member of the ruling AK Party (Justice and Development Party) and served as Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2002-2003. Speaking to Bugün Newspaper Yakış on developments pertaining to domestic and foreign policy Yakış emphasizes that the ruling AK Party has drifted off its founding principles.

Ambassador says US having difficulty in seeing clear criterion in anti-Gülen operations

Speaking to a group of reporters in Istanbul on Friday, Bass said although the Turkish government insists that the anti-coup measures it has taken against followers of the Gülen movement are proportionate, it is difficult see that the Turkish government is taking its actions based on a clear criterion. Bass said the US was having difficulty in assessing whether the measures are proportionate and reasonable.

Kaçmaz family deportation case: Lahore High Court seeks record of Civil Aviation Authority

The Lahore High Court (LHC) sought record of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of planes arrived and departed for Turkey from Allama Iqbal International Airport on 13-14 October, on Tuesday. The record is sought to investigate the forced deportation of Kacmaz family, despite them being under UN protection.

Turkish army profiled Tahşiyeciler as serving al-Qaeda

The 13 March 2009 report, prepared by Turkish General Staff Intelligence Unit Head, Lieutenant General Hakkı Pekin, reveals the Tahşiyeciler group’s ideology strongly aligned with al-Qaeda, viewing its leader Osama Bin Laden as Mahdi, the prophesied redeemer of Islam.

The fate of prosecutors

An election was held at the Ankara Bar Association recently. Nuh Mete Yüksel, who was among the powers that be in the prosecutorial community in the past, entered while this was taking place. He was once an awe-inspiring prosecutor. Apparently, he retired from prosecuting and became a lawyer. Of course, he is now deprived of the terrifying appearance he had in those years. He no longer has the frigid countenance that would send everyone’s hearts throbbing with fear. As it happens, some lawyers started to protest harshly the “fledgling lawyer.” Moreover, the hall was filled with shouts of “Go away!” So Yüksel had to go back without casting his vote…

“Somalis will remember your aid”

Kimse Yok Mu Foundation continues its efforts to meet the water, hot meal, clothing and medication needs in Somalia, stricken with terror and famine. The foundation’s school in the capital Mogadishu and scholarships too are aimed at securing a better future for Somalis.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

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

In Case You Missed It

Lecture: What Went Wrong in Turkey?

Dozens of US Congress members attend major convention of Turkic Americans

Professor: Carrying out service, Hizmet seeks peaceful coexistence; accusations are manipulative and absurd

Kimse Yok Mu to donate $1 million to typhoon victims in Philippines

Kyrgyz President Atambayev: Ankara should not threaten us with coup

What does religion have to do with corruption?

Police detain Bursa woman on coup charges a day after giving birth

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News