Erdoğan distorts Gülen’s NYT op-ed, says it is about Bank Asya operation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressing a meeting in Bursa on Friday. (Photo: DHA)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressing a meeting in Bursa on Friday. (Photo: DHA)


Date posted: February 7, 2015

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has presented a distorted interpretation of an op-ed written by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen that was published in The New York Times, claiming the op-ed is about the takeover of the board of Islamic lender Bank Asya by Turkey’s banking watchdog.

Contrary to the claims of the president, the op-ed was a discussion of the erosion of democracy in Turkey under Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rule.

“You see, a person in Pennsylvania writes for a newspaper in America. Why does he write? About a lender. Hodja, are you really a hodja or a bank boss? Who are you?” Erdoğan said during a speech in Bursa.

Gülen’s op-ed, however, was published hours before the banking watchdog handed over management control of 63 percent of the privileged shares of Bank Asya to the state savings fund. The op-ed was published on Tuesday, while the appointment of executives from the state savings fund to Bank Asya took place Tuesday night.

Moreover, the op-ed, which primarily discussed the reversal of democratic progress in Turkey, didn’t make direct reference to the bank or the operation that took place hours after the publication of the piece.

The banking watchdog seized control of the bank on Tuesday, citing insufficient transparency to allow for proper regulation.

During the same speech, Erdoğan also criticized The New York Times for publishing Gülen’s op-ed and implied that the newspaper and the scholar are cooperating against “a powerful Turkey.”

“Look, what does he [Gülen] lean on? The New York Times, that so-called newspaper. Well, where is this patronage? You can find it: Who is the manager of this newspaper? How do they let him write here? The plan is different. You should know that those inside and outside of the country don’t want a powerful Turkey. Everyone has risen up for this,” Erdoğan said.

Source: Today's Zaman , February 06, 2015


Related News

Paranoia: Turkish ‘hero’ T-shirts land dozens in jail

Dozens of people are being rounded up all over Turkey for wearing white T-shirts with the word “hero” printed in English across the front. The arrests are being carried out based on the suspicion that the wearers are sympathisers and supporters of Fethullah Gulen.

Gray domination’ and Turkey’s civil rights challenge

The Hizmet movement, the largest civil society group in Turkey, inspired by Fethullah Gülen, is active in around 150 countries. Hizmet is marked by outstanding schools, dialogue initiatives and relief organizations. Its greatest achievement, however, is the ability to remain independent at all times

How will prep school controversy influence elections [in Turkey]?

Gülen is a very important opinion leader in Turkey. He is not a politician but the leader of a social movement featuring religious motives. In addition to his followers, conservative people and groups also pay attention to his views and comments. Even those who are opposed to his worldview send their children to the schools set up by his followers because these schools provide very high quality education and training.

The Hizmet movement, social democracy, the religious left

The organizers announced that the conference would on the first day focus on “the Hizmet movement, inspired by the Turkish preacher Fethullah Gülen, which is portrayed by many as an example of modern, ‘enlightened’ Islam, oriented towards dialogue and co-operation rather than conflict.

Who speaks for Islam in Turkey?

Huseyin Gulerce voiced deep concern about Erdogan’s criticism of Fethullah Gulen “as a fake prophet” at a meeting of the Religious Affairs Directorate. Gulerce asked, “Would not the stability of the country be harmed if the mosques are polarized as such?” He concluded that politics have dominated religion.

One Year On, New Research Uncovers Turkey’s Coup Bid Staged By Erdoğan Himself

The report uncovered a critical information that the plot was actually kicked off on July 11 with secret orders given by generals who corroborated with Turkey’s autocratic President Erdogan’s defense and intelligence chiefs in disguising the plan as unconventional action plan. Only a handful men were let into the secret plot while many were led to believe a drill or an urgent response to a terror threat is underway.

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

What Erdogan and Khomeini Have in Common

Fethullah Gülen: alleged coup mastermind – and friendly neighbor

Afghan-Turk School Students Shine Abroad

Fountain Magazine announces essay contest winners

European Muslims Want Participation, Not Integration: Role of the Gulen Movement

Turkish PM Erdoğan lashes out at Gülen as the head of ‘neo-Ergenekon’

Top union: Closing prep schools to leave 60,000 jobless

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News