Erzurum people call Minister Ala to apologize Gülen for his remarks


Date posted: January 30, 2014

 

ERZURUM

A large group of people from nongovernmental organizations representatives, academics, businessmen and lawyers made a press statement on a speech paid by Interior Minister Efkan Ala saying that such a speech is an insult to Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen and called Ala to apologize Gülen for his remarks.

During a meeting in Erzurum to introduce the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) mayoral candidates on Monday, Ala said: “You are denigrating the people — among whom you are based — who are working for the sake of God. Who are you? Who are you? Are you strong enough to deal with this? Is this nation helping you in this? How dare you rise up and initiate a coup plot?”

Speaking on behalf of the group lawyer Ebubekir Atmaca stated that Gülen is one of the valuable citizens who grew up in Erzurum and there is nothing adverse in the Hizmet Movement facilities inspired by Gülen. The group also expressed that Ala’s speech deplored Erzurum people greatly since they appreciate actions of the Hizmet and their support to the AK Party has decreased.

Gülen is highly respected both in Turkey and in many countries around the world for educational activities he has pioneered, along with his efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the globe. He is in self-imposed exile in the US, though there is no legal hurdle that prevents him from returning to Turkey. Shortly after he went to the US in 2000, he was charged with establishing an illegal organization in Turkey, but was eventually acquitted in 2008.

Source: Cihan , January 30, 2014

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Rubin says Gülen’s extradition would convince Erdoğan that blackmail works

“If Gülen is turned over, however, I suspect relations will get worse because the extradition will convince Erdoğan that blackmail and bluster work,” said Rubin in an interview published in the Vocal Europe magazine on Monday.

Turkey builds 50 more prisons for Gülenists: Justice Minister

Turkish Justice Ministry Undersecretary Kenan İpek on Tuesday said more than 50 prisons are under construction for the incarceration of people linked to the Gülen group.

Erdoğan gov’t abusing regulatory agencies to punish opponents

Pressuring state regulators to abuse their powers, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has mounted an aggressive campaign to punish groups and companies that are critical of the government’s handling of a massive corruption investigation, which has led to questions about the credibility and independence of regulatory agencies in Turkey.

A House Divided: Civil Society and Democracy in Turkey

I am of the firm opinion that Hizmet movement had been practically the core civilizing, and transformative engine for strong Turkish civil society in this modern age. The movement has had, without any doubt, facilitated and consolidated Turkey’s strong civil society and democracy.

Erdoğan’s abstract enemies: parallel organization and superior mind

Totalitarian regimes rely on their ability to manufacture enemies. In his New Year message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to a host of “external enemies” and “traitors.” The ruling party characterizes these traitors as the “parallel organization” and “superior mind.” The phrases “parallel state” and “Pennsylvania organization” are used synonymously with the “parallel organization” as well.

Gülen Community and Gülen’s Reminder

Hadi Uluengin, April 13, 2011 Last week in this column I wrote that large masses whose common denominator is to adopt Fethullah Gülen’s spiritual leadership cannot be referred to as a ‘cemaat’ or religious community or brotherhood. I made this claim because the Gülen Movement’s (aka Hizmet movement) pluralism in quantity and diversity in quality […]

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Johannesburg hosts 14 countries for international festival

Erdogan regime keeps defamation of the Gülen mov’t, calls it crusader organization

Turkey’s trampling of freedoms is Europe’s problem too

Hizmet: a social movement or political manipulation?

RELIABLE ENVIRONMENT : GULEN INSPIRED SCHOOLS

Disabled teacher, husband removed from job as brothers under arrest

Opposition does not believe Gulen movement was behind the coup attempt

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News