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

Hate speech in politics and media

It is hard to understand the relentless efforts of Turkish politicians and media networks to create new objects of hate, in contrast with the global and local struggle against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and similar approaches that pave the way for hate speech, hate crime and discrimination. Hate speech, mutually produced in the context of the developments following the Gezi Park protests in June, is concrete proof that we are making life in this world increasingly unbearable for one another.

28th Abant Meeting “Diverse Perspectives on Turkey” to be held in February 2013

Turkey’s foremost civil intellectual forum, Abant Platform‘s workshop on “Diverse Perspectives on Turkey,” will be held in February 8-10, 2013 in Abant, Bolu. The Abant Platform is founded as an intellectual forum by the Journalists and Writers Foundation to promote democratic engagement for expanding social consensus and the coexistence of society’s rich cultural resources within […]

55 students from 30 countries captivate İzmir residents with poems of praise

A total of 55 students from 30 countries captivated hundreds of spectators with their recitations of naats — poems in praise of the Prophet Muhammad — during a ceremony held in the Aegean province of İzmir on Monday evening to celebrate Holy Birth Week.

Government drags military into politics

There are now serious question marks over whether the government orchestrated the operations at TİB to libel Hizmet for wiretapping with the aim of diverting attention from the separate spying case under way in Ankara and saving those uniformed men from facing judicial scrutiny over charges of spying.

Cabinet ruling against non-profit charity Kimse Yok Mu condemned

The cabinet ruling revoking Kimse Yok Mu’s status to receive donations without state approval continues to draw widespread condemnation.

US State Department ‘Can’t Imagine’ Accepting Erdogan Offer to Trade Hostage Pastor for Gulen

“President Erdogan’s suggestion that the U.S. should make a hostage-style prisoner swap for an innocent American imprisoned in Turkey is appalling and will not be taken seriously,” Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said. Brunson’s is not the first case that has resulted in a Western country accusing Erdogan of hostage diplomacy.

Latest News

Sacramento leaders gather for Iftar dinner in celebration of Ramadan

SEO Skill Suite: Tools for Keyword Research, Technical & Backlink Analysis

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

In Case You Missed It

Symposium concludes: Hizmet movement contributes to world peace

Journalist Dumanlı says slanders against Hizmet reminiscent of Feb. 28 era

Avni: New plot under way to blame Gülen movement for PKK attacks

Dehumanize me Turkish-style — no comment

“Reserve in your heart a seat for all” – Friendship Dinner in Rochester, NY

Police and inspectors raid Gülen-inspired schools in Çanakkale

Fethullah Gülen: ‘I have no other goal than to please God’

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News