TÜBİTAK scolded for hiding olympiad winners were from Hizmet schools

Yamanlar High School students who won medals at this year's National Science Olympiads pose for a photo at the award ceremony. (Photo: DHA)
Yamanlar High School students who won medals at this year's National Science Olympiads pose for a photo at the award ceremony. (Photo: DHA)


Date posted: November 25, 2014

The president and members of the government have scolded the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) for not revealing that the majority of medal winners at two recent scholastic olympiad events were students from schools affiliated with the Hizmet movement, the Taraf daily reported on Tuesday.

İstanbul’s Fatih Koleji, Ankara’s Samanyolu and Atlantik, and İzmir’s Yamanlar schools, which have been under pressure from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, picked up 64 medals out of a possible 120 on Wednesday in the 22nd National Science Olympiad and the 19th National Mathematics Olympiad for primary and secondary schools.

The schools are among thousands of educational institutions affiliated with the Hizmet movement — a faith-based social movement inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen — that have been targeted by the AK Party and government circles, particularly since Dec. 17, 2013, when a massive corruption and bribery scandal went public.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accuses the Hizmet movement of plotting to overthrow the government. In May, then-Prime Minister Erdoğan publicly advised AK Party supporters not to send their children to schools affiliated with the Hizmet movement. “We will not even give them [Hizmet members] water,” he vowed. Erdoğan also ordered officials in AK Party-run municipalities to seize land and buildings belonging to the Hizmet movement by any means necessary. The movement strongly rejects the claims against it, and the allegations have not been proven in any court.

Taraf said TÜBİTAK did not tell the government or Erdoğan, who is orchestrating the anti-Hizmet campaign, that the students were from Hizmet-affiliated schools and that this was why, for the first time, the schools’ names were not announced after the winners’ names at the award ceremony.

However, after the schools published newspaper ads announcing their students’ success, the TÜBİTAK administration was reprimanded by the president and other members of the government, Taraf said.

Source: Today's Zaman , November 25, 2014


Related News

Secretary Tillerson: Evidence against Gulen provided by Turkey inadequate, while voluminous

Mr Gulen denies any role in the failed coup in July, and US officials have privately said the evidence provided by Turkey has been inadequate, while voluminous. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim recently described the delay as a joke on Turkey.

Hate speech in politics and media

It is hard to understand the relentless efforts of Turkish politicians and media networks to create new objects of hate, in contrast with the global and local struggle against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and similar approaches that pave the way for hate speech, hate crime and discrimination. Hate speech, mutually produced in the context of the developments following the Gezi Park protests in June, is concrete proof that we are making life in this world increasingly unbearable for one another.

Is Nigeria now a part of Turkey?

These are indeed interesting times in Nigeria. The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Hakan Cakil is the Prime Minister of the Turkish Nigerian republic. Yes, he is for he recently called on the Nigerian government to close 17 Turkish schools in the country. That was quite audacious, and deserving of a backhand slap by my three-year-old son.

Prof. Scott Alexander: Hizmet is a social movement for peace

“What I have personally observed is that Hizmet is a movement that embraces contrasts and in which everyone can find a place for themselves. It’s a globally transformational movement. It is, on the other hand, able to combine tradition and modernity and bring them around the common values. Although I might not be necessarily exercising your values, I consider myself a part of this movement. The principles that lead the movement are what lead my life as well.” Alexander remarked.

GYV lashes out at ‘traitor’ label for attending EU ambassadors meeting

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), in a written statement, has denounced some media outlets’ labeling the body a “traitor” over its attendance at the traditional lunch meeting of the EU ambassadors. The statement criticized the allegations published in some media outlets which “in an effort to distort the truth and smear the foundation” said the GYV betrayed the country by attending such a meeting.

Did PKK change its view of religious movements?

It is wrong and harmful to present Gulen Movement or create a picture that will make the Movement look as if it gets along and tries to collaborate with, or in need of help from PKK. I believe that Gulen movement will not fall into such a trap.

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

65-year-old grandmother looking after twin babies as mother, father in jail for 5 months

“It was so cold, it felt like an arrow through my heart”

Opposition expresses concern for security of free and fair elections

Becoming a Dialogue Movement: What Can Dialogue Learn from Other Movements?

Turkey Wants Mongolia To Shut Down Turkish Schools

Academic freedom at universities under growing threat

TUSKON challenges Erdoğan to enter business, defies threats

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News