The term ‘Fetö’ is a misnomer, a bizarre creation of the paranoid Erdoğan propaganda machine


Date posted: July 31, 2016

Reader’s Corner

It disturbed me to see your newspaper uncritically using the term ‘Fetö’ – standing for the so-called ‘Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organisation’, which is a rather bizarre creation of the paranoid Erdoğan propaganda machine. It is true that, with most dissenting voices silenced and most of the opposition press closed, Erdoğan’s propaganda now reigns supreme in Turkey. Nevertheless, I see this as no reason to accept uncritically the messages that this machine churns out.

Fethullah Gülen stands at the head of a shady sect that also has a huge business network and whose tentacles stretch around the world. This movement has generally been known in Turkey as the ‘Cemaat’ or ‘congregation’. However, there is absolutely no known connection between this organisation and terror in any form.

Essentially, Gülen and Erdoğan, even if stemming from slightly different versions of political Islam, were partners in arms for decades when they were fighting to overthrow the secular Turkish state. They and their movements only suddenly fell out with one another in the second half of 2013, well after the Islamists had usurped the Turkish state, and the dispute was really over sharing out the booty.

This parting of ways led to anti-corruption investigations being brought against Erdoğan and his cronies, spearheaded by the vast body of people that the Gülen movement had infiltrated into the ranks of the police and judiciary. The leaked tapes that appeared at the time offered clear evidence that those at the top of the Islamist AKP government were up to their necks in corruption.

However, Erdoğan was able to save his bacon by rapidly dismissing large numbers of people from the police and judiciary and replacing them with his own placemen who immediately closed down all of the corruption investigations. It is essentially this event – the attempt to prosecute leading members of the government for epic-scale corruption – that the Erdoğan propaganda machine labels ‘terrorism’. Yet, by no stretch of the imagination can the bringing of penal proceedings against those accused of corruption be deemed to be an act of terror. The term ‘Fetö’ is a misnomer.

Tim Drayton, Limassol

Source: Cyprus Mail , July 31, 2016


Related News

Profiled lawyer files criminal complaint against MİT, MGK

Taraf began publishing a string of confidential documents suggesting that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and MİT had collected information on a large number of individuals through 2013 at the request of the MGK. The targets were reportedly members of the Hizmet movement, a faith-based community inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Muslim voices against ISIS – Rita Cosby discusses Fethullah Gulen’s stern stance

Are there any Muslim voices against ISIS? Rita Cosby discusses this issue with Dr. Alp Aslandogan, president of the Alliance for Shared Values whose honorary president is Fethullah Gulen. Dr. Aslandogan clearly states that Mr Gulen has stern stance agains ISIS.

Time For Gulen Movement To Leave Turkey?

Turkey is a hell for people inspired by teachings of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is residing in rural Pennsylvania. Participants of the movement always say that their dream is way big to fit in the constraints of Turkey. Perhaps it is time to jump out of these constraints. At least for now.

Erdoğan Is Destroying Turkey’s Hopes for Democracy

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s extra-legal roundup of scores of presumed supporters of the failed July 15 coup against his government is quickly taking its place in modern history alongside Stalin’s purges and China’s Cultural Revolution.

An Eye-Opening Trek Into Turkish Society

WALTER RATLIFF* In Gaziantep, Turkey, the children at a local orphanage were recently asked to write about what they wished for most in life. The exercise was designed to help them think about their goals for the future. However, one child took the answer in a different direction: “I wish my parents could come back […]

Turkey Is No Longer a Reliable Ally

The U.S. and Turkey have faced difficult days before, such as after Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus and the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, yet American and Turkish leaders managed to find their way back. This time will be different. The failed coup was a clarifying moment. Ankara and Washington don’t share values or interests.

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

Turkish Schools inspired by Gulen becoming global brands

OKC Thunder’s Enes Kanter laughs off being called a terrorist by Turkish government

Can a leader play a mediator role while terminating an aid charity?

Another Victim of Erdogan’s Wrath

What I Saw In Turkey

Erdogan plotted purge before coup, say Brussels spies

Global peace as a dream to follow

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News