Fethullah Gülen’s Message of Condolences and Condemnation of the Terrorist Attack in Istanbul


Date posted: December 17, 2016

I condemn, in the strongest terms, the cruel terrorist attack carried out beside the Istanbul Beşiktaş Football Stadium that cost the lives of 44 of Turkish citizens, the majority of whom are members of the security forces.

I pray for mercy and forgiveness for those who lost their lives during the nefarious terrorist attack, especially the martyred police officers. I extend my condolences to their families and relatives and to people of Turkey. I pray for the quick recovery of the wounded.

Regardless of the perpetrators or their stated purposes, I once more condemn all forms of terrorism. The expectation of all citizens is that the perpetrators of this nefarious attack are caught and brought to trial as soon as possible and that all measures are taken to ensure that those who aim to set our people against each other are not given the opportunity.

It is devastating that terrorist groups carry out these menacing attacks while members of the security forces and judiciary who devote their careers and lives to combat terrorism are incarcerated for political reasons.

I pray that God the Merciful bring to our blessed country and to the entire world an atmosphere of peace and tranquility as soon as possible.

– Fethullah Gülen

Source: Alliance for Shared Values , December 12, 2016


Related News

Two women detained during visit to jailed husbands

Two women, identified as H.T. and S.S., were detained when they went through security check before visiting their imprisoned husbands at a prison in Turkey’s Edirne province.

Turkish officials cancel green passport of Islamic scholar Gülen

Nurullah Albayrak, Gülen’s lawyer, said the decision to cancel the scholar’s passport is politically motivated and has no legal basis. He said Gülen was granted a green passport after his application to the relevant authorities following the adoption of Article 4 of Law No. 5682, which allows certain state officials and retired or resigned public servants to apply for a green passport after a review of their status during their work.

Attacking the Journalists and Writers Foundation

Last week, I wrote: “The AKP [Justice and Development Party] is planning to rig the elections by using state power. It is also trying to distort the real election agenda.

UK court rejects ‘politically motivated’ Turkish extradition request of businessman

John Zani, district judge at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court, declined Turkey’s request, expressing “serious reservations about the current state of the rule of law in Turkey.”

GYV president Usak passes away in exile

A renowned intellectual, journalist and president of the Journalists’ and Writers’ Foundation (GYV) Cemal Usak, who was among the targets of the Turkish government’s ongoing crackdown on the faith based Gulen movement, has passed away at the age of 63 while in exile. Usak had been receiving cancer treatment for the past several years. Reportedly, he was told he would die in prison if he comes to Turkey.

Counterterrorism judge found to be PM’s strong supporter

Judge Yusuf Şahin, who was appointed to the Van Counterterrorism Court in April, shared a photo of the prime minister on Facebook with the tag “Liderlerin lideri Erdoğan” (Erdoğan, leader of all leaders). The judge also posted comments on Facebook praising the prime minister and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and leveling strong criticism at Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, the inspiration behind the faith-based Hizmet movement, which works in the fields of education, charity and outreach.

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

Dogan: Gulen earned sympathy among Alevis

Turkish Islam and Fethullah Gulen

Will Turkey’s assassinations reach America?

Questions over corruption and paralysis of politics [in Turkey]

Gülen extends condolences for death of former deputy PM Arınç’s brother

Fethullah Gulen talks to major international media on Turkey coup attempt

Kazakh President congratulated ‘Katev’ Foundation on 20th anniversary

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News