Turkish Imam: Enjoy the properties of Gulen Movement as ‘spoils’


Date posted: August 14, 2016

A video captured during a rally in the aftermath of the coup attempt in Turkey has revealed how Islam has been misinterpreted, abused in Turkey.

Metin Balkanlioglu, one of famous imams of Ismailaga Group of Nakshbendi Tarikah, made a speech at a “Democracy Rally” against coups in July 22, 2916 in Istanbul. He told the crowd to enjoy properties of Gulen Movement as spoils.

He spoke like a victorious commander: use 15 universities as spoils; use numerous hospitals as spoils; a thousand schools are yours, use them as spoils. It is your right, they are spoils, they are spoils…”

As seen in the video a mighty cheer burst from the crowd.

Civil, moderate, sufi Islam is leaving its space to radical Islam in Turkey.


Related News

Erdogan Moves to Shut Prep Schools in Blow to Gulen Followers

The issue is important to Gulen’s followers, who teach about 400,000 of the 1.2 million prep school students. The schools offer additional training to students preparing for exams from elementary schools to universities.
Erdogan has so far removed thousands of police officers and prosecutors on suspected ties to Gulen’s movement, while pro-government media has targeted companies for alleged links to the cleric.

KYM Calls for Papers-International Conference on “Social Media for Good”

International Conference on Social Media for Good aims at systematizing and improving existing models on social media, suggesting new innovative approaches and practices, using their effectiveness in enhancing goodness and philanthropy, and resolution of social problems.

TUSKON: Twitter ban a disappointment in information age

Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) Chairman Rıza Nur Meral voiced his disappointment on Friday over the decision by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which tries to attract voters with promises of democracy, more human rights, increased rule of law and reforms to gain EU membership, to block access to Twitter.

Prof. Tures: Erdogan’s policies threaten Turkey

Followers of this liberal U.S.-based cleric, Gulen, were scapegoated for the July 2016 coup. Tens of thousands of police officers and security officials were fired and even arrested, simply for being followers of Gulen, an opponent of ISIS. The Turkish President seems willing to blame everyone but ISIS, or even offer much of an anti-ISIS campaign.

Zaman school [in Cambodia] resists call for closure

Zaman school officials and parents yesterday urged the Cambodian government not to shutter the schools as the Turkish Ambassador to Cambodia Ilhan Tug has requested, saying students will ultimately suffer. Officials would also need to consider legal and administrative procedures, and so far, the schools have not violated any Cambodian law or regulation, he said.

Academics, civil society call for freer, more diverse universities in new law

BURAK KILIÇ / HASAN KARALI, İSTANBUL Participants of a meeting hosted by the Zaman daily have called on the Higher Education Board (YÖK) to grant universities broader freedoms instead of the existing centralized structure under a new YÖK Law. The current YÖK Law is considered outdated and carries traces of former coups as it was […]

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

Sakarya court orders stay of execution on closure of Fatih Koleji

Historic ijma meeting in İstanbul

Religion and Politics in Turkey: To Talk or Not to Talk

Michael Rubin: I realize I may have misread the Gülen movement

GYV contributes to correct perception of Islam

Romania Refuses to Extradite Journalist to Turkey

Teachers, parents oppose Pak-Turk Schools takeover

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News