Prominent Alevi leader welcomes Gülen’s remarks on bridge controversy

Fermani Altun
Fermani Altun


Date posted: June 20, 2013

HÜSEYİN AYDIN, İSTANBUL

Fermani Altun, head of the World Ehl-i Beyt Foundation, a leading Alevi association, has welcomed Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s recent remarks in which he stressed Alevi-Sunni brotherhood amidst an ongoing debate over the naming of a new bridge after an Ottoman sultan considered controversial by Alevis.

In a speech broadcast on herkul.org on Wednesday, Gülen shared his comments on the government’s decision to name the third bridge to be built over the Bosporus after Yavuz Sultan Selim and the ensuing criticism from Turkey’s Alevi community as the sultan is perceived by Alevis to be responsible for the killing of as many as 40,000 Alevis during a war with Iran’s Shah Ismail in 1511. He said he has deep respect for Yavuz Sultan Selim, while adding that he has always questioned whether channels of diplomacy could have been tried instead of waging a war and “provoking anger” from Alevis. However, he underlined that evaluating past incidents from the perspective of today would be an error.

Stating that he does not think that those who chose the name for the bridge had “negative intentions,” he said the issue should be regarded as a “detail” and should not overshadow the “many other bridges between the Sunnis and Alevis” of Turkey.

“There are many bridges between us [Alevis and Sunnis] in terms of our connection with God the Prophet and the Quran. There are also bridges that stem from our common values such as [Sufi thinkers] Ahmet Yesevi, Mevlana [Jalaladdin-i Rumi] and Yunus Emre. All these bridges may be ignored when a bridge to ensure passage from one side to the other side of İstanbul over the Bosporus is named after Yavuz Sultan Selim and when such a particular issue is regarded as the basis,” Gülen said.

Describing Gülen’s statements as “excellent,” Altun said: “Hocaefendi [referring to Gülen] has expressed our thoughts and feelings exactly. We have deep respect for him; that’s why his words are of great importance to us,” warning against provocations aimed at damaging the “bridge” between the Alevi and the Sunni people.

“Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi calls for unity and solidarity by saying ‘Let’s not destroy the many bridges between us [Alevis and Sunnis] for the sake of a bridge’,” Altun further stated, while adding that the naming of the third bridge after Yavuz Sultan Selim was a “misfortune.”

Source: Today’s Zaman, 20 June 2013


Related News

Said-i Nursi: An Ottoman Scholar in Turkish Republic

The saying goes as “The death of a wise man is like the death of the universe.” Those who can combine intellectual capacity with a purified spirit are like the enlightening candles of the world. As the Quran told us, among human beings only the wise men can have a true respect to Allah, because they are unprecedented examples of standing against cruelty, unswerving determination and constant struggle.

Opposition leader Destici: Since when has exposing graft been a crime?

Allegations previously dismissed by judicial authorities are being raised again. People in the bureaucracy are being profiled. Officers have been removed from their posts in some ministries. Furthermore, mayoral elections are scheduled for March, and campaigning is becoming tenser.

French editor says Gülen’s messages on anti-terrorism revolutionary

A French editor-in-chief has praised the anti-terrorism messages in an article written by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen and published by a prestigious French daily last month, describing them as revolutionary and one of the “signs of hope” in 2015, which he said was marked by terror and fear.

‘When the last gang becomes a thing of the past’

The prime minister has put forward many claims since Dec. 17, but he has not provided any satisfactory evidence to back up these claims.

Visually impaired journalist sent to prison over Gülen links

Visually impaired Turkish journalist Cüneyt Arat was sent to prison late on Monday due to his alleged links to the Gülen movement. When Arat learned that a prison sentence approved by an upper court on Sunday, he turned himself in to the police later the same day.

Gülen’s lawyer denies any link with bugging probe suspect

Fethullah Gülen’s lawyer has denied that the Turkish Islamic scholar has any links with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s former chief bodyguard, who was detained in an investigation into covert listening devices found in the prime minister’s office in 2012.

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

“ISIS — A terrorist group making false representation of Islam,” says Turkish Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen

Erdogan’s critics in Germany living in fear of his long arm

Gülen’s book “Eternal Light” under spotlight at Pakistani fair

Fethullah Gulen Issues Strong Condemnation of ISIS

Turkey’s Erdogan attempts to have Gambia close down Turkish schools

NTIC: Showcasing Nigerians’ Academic Prowess

Largest dentistry school of Iraqi Kurdistan opened

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News