Gülen: Burden of proof rests with those who claim we plotted the coup


Date posted: September 23, 2016

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who is held responsible for everything that goes wrong in Turkey including a failed coup on July 15, said in an interview that those who accuse him of plotting the coup bear the responsibility of providing evidence.

In a joint interview to Die Zeit, El Pais and German news agency DPA, Gülen said that no matter who launched the coup attempt, they acted against his moral principles.

Gülen also argued that it was President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who planned the coup himself despite the president’s accusation that Gülen was the mastermind of the foiled coup of July 15, 2016.

Erdoğan became an enemy when we did not proclaim him leader of the Muslim world

Responding to a question of why he had supported Erdoğan and his party in the past, Gülen referred to Erdoğan’s promises of European Union membership and a strengthening democracy. “Erdoğan hoped we would declare him the leader of the Muslim world and work towards that goal. When it did not happen, he turned into an enemy,” Gülen further stated.

When it comes to a massive post-coup purge that has affected more than a million people, according to statements made by Turkey’s main opposition, Gülen said all those arrests and dismissals target people Erdoğan does not like and are aimed at consolidating his power.

As far as Turkey’s request for his extradition from the US is concerned, Gülen said he would stay in Pennsylvania as long as he could but would leave if he had to, thanking the US for its hospitality.

Gülen has been living in self-imposed exile in a remote Pennsylvania town in the Poconos Mountains and inspires millions of people with his peaceful teachings that promote advancement through education.

Source: Turkish Minute , September 23, 2016


Related News

Turkish schools dominate award ceremony in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Students from Turkish schools in the country dominated a ceremony in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in which the Ministry of Education rewards those students who are successful in national and International Olympiads.

Fethullah Gulen: Erdogan is not Fit to be President

Legal experts discussed Erdogan’s eligibility to serve as president, because of questions about his college education. Other have questioned the fairness of the elections and there are allegations of electoral fraud. But aside from this, if the Turkish people elect a shepherd as their leader, I respect their choice. But personally I don’t see Erdogan is fit to be president.

EU calls on Turkey to Investigate abduction cases targeting Gülen Movement

The European Union (EU) on Thursday said it was closely following developments in Turkey including the abductions of people from the Gülen movement, reminding Ankara of its responsibility to investigate these reported cases.

Dr. Phyllis Bernard’s views on Fethullah Gulen & Gulen Movement

Dr. Phyllis Bernard: “My speech was as much as anything else a ‘Thank you’ to the Hizmet Movement.. for making an incredible opportunity available for scholars, researchers, practitioners to understand a lot more about what stewardship in business is about. Hopefully as we continue to teach people about how business works in different places around the world, we’ll have a lot more respect and understanding for the kind of Islamic cultural values that one finds everywhere. And our entry way for that were the Hizmet Movement businesspeople; they were astoundingly fine.”

Two volunteers of Gülen Movement reportedly abducted after released by Azerbaijani Court

According to a report, Turkish citizens Ayhan Seferoğlu and Erdoğan Taylan were detained by Azeri police. However, an Azerbaijani court decided to release them. As their relatives were waiting Seferoğlu and Taylan to be free, they have reportedly been abducted by unidentified persons from the backdoor of the courthouse where they were tried.

Austrian President Fischer receives Turkish Language Olympiads team

The students and teachers, who represented Austria in 11th Turkish Language Olympiads organized by International Turkish Language Education Association (TURKCEDER) were received by the Austrian President Heinz Fischer at the presidential palace. The olympiad team briefed the president on the language and culture event, during their visit. Fischer congratulated the team for receiving two medals in the event.

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

Is There ‘The Cemaat’ Under Every Stone?

Countdown for operation against Hizmet Movement

Gulen sympathizer stabbed by pro-Erdogan relative in Belgium

Terrorist organization, you say

Turkish PM acknowledges phone call to media executive

Doğan: Gülen stood against anti-cemevi campaigns

Art exhibition tells story of deficiency

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News