A speech given by Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) Chairman Rıza Nur Meral brought a breath of fresh air to all of us.
I can say that with his remarks, Meral has articulated the feelings and thoughts of a large segment of society. I now know that Meral, besides being a successful businessman, is a good speaker. When he said: “Politics is a platform where you serve the people. It is not the place to make money or build a fortune,” thousands of businessmen listening to his speech stood up and enthusiastically applauded. Meral’s remarks dropped like a bombshell. His observations are a clear indication that the government has been engaging in unfair competition with the business world. Remember that the government keeps telling critics to “establish a political party if you want to raise any objection” to government policies. Meral made a similar call: “If you [members of government] want to earn money, quit politics and enter the business world so that we can compete under equal conditions.”
Followers of this liberal U.S.-based cleric, Gulen, were scapegoated for the July 2016 coup. Tens of thousands of police officers and security officials were fired and even arrested, simply for being followers of Gulen, an opponent of ISIS. The Turkish President seems willing to blame everyone but ISIS, or even offer much of an anti-ISIS campaign.
Corruption scandal will consolidate Turkish democracy
” When all the dust settles in the aftermath of corruption, money laundering and racketeering involving higher-ups in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), we will have the chance to lay the foundation for a democracy by consensus, which is the only way to rule a large country like Turkey with a relatively young population and rising middle class.”
Islamic scholar Gülen calls for calm among supporters
Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has called on his supporters to remain calm and be patient in the wake of rumors that Istanbul police were planning to start an operation to round up hundreds of people close to his movement. Gülen called for patience and calm among the relatives of those who are being probed or expecting probes against them, advising them to pray and read the Quran.
Turkish school threatens students who refuse to write poems on coup attempt
The Education Ministry distributed “Attempt to invade Turkey with coup” brochures at all state schools across Turkey. Some 19 million students also watched a video of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reciting the Turkish national anthem along with footage from the night of July 15, when an abortive coup took place in Turkey.
Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) gathers all colors of Turkey at iftar
ESRA MADEN, İSTANBUL Many distinguished figures including Turkey’s spiritual leaders, politicians, artists, businessmen and journalists came together at the same iftar (fast-breaking dinner) table on Tuesday night in an event held by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV). GYV Honorary President Fethullah Gülen greeted the guests with a message he issued for the night. “Ramadan […]
Why did Turkey seize Bank Asya?
In September 2014, in an address to the Turkish Industry and Business Association, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the following statement: “No effort is underway to cause the bankruptcy of a bank. That bank is already bankrupt. They are carrying water by hand to keep it afloat.”
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
Afghan Parents Complain to UN Over Detention of Turkish Teachers
No return from democracy, Zaman editor Dumanlı says under detention
Journalists and Writers Foundation in Rwanda for Global Peacemakers Conference
Yes, Religion Can Still Be A Force For Good In The World
Has Erdoğan convinced EU of the existence of a ‘parallel state’?
Top Three Reasons Why Turkey’s President Erdogan is Obsessed with Gulen
A Visit with Turkey’s Controversial Religious Movement