German gov’t dismisses parliamentary question on Hizmet


Date posted: March 20, 2014

BERLIN

The German federal government dismissed a parliamentary question about the faith-based Hizmet movement, underlining that the movement hasn’t been involved in any illegal acts that threaten the foundations of the democratic and constitutional order in the EU country. 

 

The question was submitted in the Bundestag by the Left Party, known for its sympathies for the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its related organizations in Germany.

Responding to the parliamentary question, the German government, which is led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, said that an extensive assessment of the faith-based movement’s organizations and foundations in Germany had failed to find any evidence of involvement in any wrongdoing or illegal activity.

The Left Party’s parliamentary question asked about the level of cooperation between the German government and Hizmet-affiliated organizations in a number of fields, from education to media and intercultural dialogue.

The Left Party asked whether the Hizmet movement and its followers undermine the basic foundations of the plural and democratic constitution, gender equality, freedom of conscience, separation of powers and freedom of education. “There is no indication showing that the Fethullah Gülen movement is against the plural and democratic constitution,” the government said in response.

The parliamentary question brings the Hizmet movement’s activities in Germany into the spotlight, with the government saying that the movement centers its activities on interfaith dialogue, education and business cooperation forums.

Praising the work of the movement, the government also had good words for Pangea Wettbewerb, an organization supported by the German Ministry of Education that holds competitions in math to pursue its mission of fostering education and assisting students in their studies. The Pangea Mathematics Competition (Pangea Mathematikwettbewerb, http://www.pangea-wettbewerb.de) is nationally recognized competition in Germany and enjoys the support of distinguished scholars.

The government also said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who visited Germany one month ago, only shared his point of view about the latest developments in Turkey. The government also rejected the claim that Erdoğan had presented documents about the movement to German officials.

Source: Todays Zaman , March 20, 2014


Related News

Amir Hussain on Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet Movement

Dr. Amir Hussain is a professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. He has written numerous scholarly articles, and his area of research is on the study of Islam, specifically contemporary Muslim societies in North America.

Row between Turkish government and Gulen Movement takes new twist

The row between Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Fethullah Gulen’s Hizmet Movement, one of the most influential religious communities in the country, has taken an interesting twist after the revelation of a 2004 document. In 2004, the National Security Council proposed a clampdown on the Gulen movement (aka Hizmet), which suggested that harsh sanctions should be enforced on them.

Wife of ‘Gülen school manager’ detained in Tbilisi asks for protection

The family of Mustafa Emre Çabuk, a manager at the Private Demirel College who was detained in Tbilisi on Turkey’s request, is asking for protection from Georgia’s State Security Service, after receiving several threats on social media with Turkish names.

Outgoing chairman proudly admits Istanbul Bar Association refused to serve Gülen followers

The Istanbul Bar Association has turned down sympathizers of the Gülen movement who requested lawyers for their hearings in the post-coup trials, the outgoing president Ümit Kocasakal said on Saturday.

Powerful but reclusive Turkish cleric (BBC Interviews Fethullah Gulen)

Speaking to the BBC’s Newshour, Fethullah Gulen said: “It is not possible for these judges and prosecutors to receive orders from me.” Fethullah Gulen has been called Turkey’s second most powerful man. He is also a recluse, who lives in self-imposed exile in the US.

Academics, civil society call for freer, more diverse universities in new law

BURAK KILIÇ / HASAN KARALI, İSTANBUL Participants of a meeting hosted by the Zaman daily have called on the Higher Education Board (YÖK) to grant universities broader freedoms instead of the existing centralized structure under a new YÖK Law. The current YÖK Law is considered outdated and carries traces of former coups as it was […]

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

Opposition journalists speak at U.N. panel on Turkey’s human rights record

Remarks by Congressman Randy Weber (Representing Texas) at IFLC Washington DC

Islam is compatible with Democracy, despite Turkey’s recent example

Albania deports Gülen follower at Turkey’s request despite court rejection of extradition

Source claims US not probing into Gulenists’ alleged role in Russian ambassador’s murder

Kimse Yok Mu team in action in Bosnia

Swinging between hope and despair – Opposing news from Yemen

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News