‘The work of Hizmet followers is really tackling the fundamentals of what is needed in the society’


Date posted: March 7, 2015

Dr. Chui L. Tsang is the President of Santa Monica College since 2006. Before Santa Monica College, Dr. Tsang served as President of San Jose City College for nearly nine years. Dr. Tsang earned a doctorate in linguistics from Stanford University. He has had a long and distinguished career in education, workforce training, economic development and nonprofits.

“Hizmet Movement is represented by the people that I’ve met. I see that there is a common purpose of like-minded people, in a very grass-root way, coming together, pushing for some ideals that they believe in, in the society, and I’m touched by the genuine motivation of the people that I’ve met. I am impressed with the sacrifice that individuals that believe in this contribute to this collective goal that they are trying to reach.”

“I think it’s extremely important—as an educator, as someone in an institution that deals with 30+ thousand students every year—that we allow our young people, our students to come to realize that they need to have a greater understanding of the different religions, and they are stepping into the world that’s much more complicated…”

“One of the examples that I thought was very very impressive was that there’s this universal belief in providing education to children, and, regardless of their background, trying to promote the talents that are in people,boys and girls alike, they both have equal opportunities to access education.”

“I think it’s really important that we create these opportunities for our young people because with every person that we can add to the roster, it is another brain, another child being fostered, being nurtured and coming to realize their potential.

And what better way is it then to have a massively well-educated population, to advance the country, to advance the living standards, to advance the understanding for each other.”

“I think, the work that has been done by the followers of this thought is really tackling the fundamentals of what is needed in the society.”


*Produced by Spectra Media exclusively for Irmak TV, Atlas of Thoughts (Fikir Atlasi) connects the scholars, politicians, jurists, religious figures, journalists, and academics reflecting on Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet Movement with the audience. Each episode features a person from a different segment of the society with diverse experiences regarding the Hizmet activities and its volunteers. If you are interested to hear about the Hizmet and Mr. Gulen from these people’s perspectives, do not miss this show!

 

Source: Spectra Media , April 24, 2014


Related News

Peace Islands Honors Noteworthy NJ Residents

Peace Islands Institute (PII) held its eighth annual awards dinner May 31 at the Hyatt Hotel in Morristown, paying tribute to New Jersey residents whose noteworthy lives and careers have made a positive impact in the Garden State.

Turkey’s Changing Freedom Deficit

Erdoğan’s government is by no means the first to compel Turkish citizens to hide their preferences and beliefs. Under the secular governments that ruled Turkey from the 1920s to 1950, and to some extent until 2002, pious Turks seeking advancement in government, the military, and even commerce had to downplay their religiosity and avoid signaling approval of political Islam.

America’s first Islamic university starts academic journey

The first university to be founded by Muslims to teach Islamic studies in the United States has started its new academic year, promising to be a leading institution in educating future scholars, including imams.

Gov’t steps up campaign against Hizmet via terrorism accusations

The government has intensified its campaign against the Hizmet movement, a civil society initiative inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s teachings promoting interfaith dialogue, peace and tolerance, by putting Gülen on a list of wanted terrorists despite the move lacking any legal basis.

US avoids commenting on Gülen’s extradition

US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters at a press briefing on Wednesday that the US will not comment on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s expectation for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen to be extradited from the US, where he now lives.

Ramadan Feast: Community Bonding at Its Best from the Turkish Cultural Center

Dignitaries, clergy, and everyday citizens, Jews, Christians and Muslims gathered Thursday night at Tarrytown’s DoubleTree Hotel by the invite of the Turkish Cultural Center for a Ramadan dinner, speeches, and entertainment. State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins praised the far-reaching outreach and inclusivity of this group and the peacefulness of their mission.

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

While Erdogan Demonizes a Peaceful Movement, International Community Applauds Them.

Wife of veteran who lost hand, eyes in bomb attack under custody over Gülen links

Somalian Ambassador, “We Felt the Eid with Turkish Aids”

After The Coup Attempt, A Crackdown In Turkey

Canadian Journal Interviews Erdogan’s Victims in Greece: Fleeing oppression in Turkey

Turkish charity set to provide donations to 300,000 families

Gülen, the most important figure of tolerance and dialogue

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News