Objectives of charter schools with Turkish ties questioned


Date posted: August 18, 2010

Greg Toppo, USA Today

USA Today made a story on some public schools, which are called as Gulen charter schools. Mr. Greg Toppo sent Gulen some questions, which Fethullah Gulen responded through an intermediary. Below are Gulen’s answers to questions.

Q: Would he reflect on his connection to the U.S. public charter schools inspired by the Gulen movement?

A: First of all, I do not approve the title “Gulen Movement” given to the civil society movement that I call “volunteers’ movement.” I see myself one of its participants. There might be some educators who have listened to or read my thoughts on humanity, peace, mutual respect, the culture of coexistence, and keeping the human values alive, and have come to the United States for various reasons and work at private or public schools. In fact, I have heard from the media that there are such educators.

I have no idea about the number of such educators in the United States. My relation to them is not different from the one between me and any academician working at a U.S. university who may somehow value my thoughts. Those are individuals whom I do not know personally, though they may be familiar with and may think that they benefit from my books and speeches.

Q: Does he take pride in the schools, which are quickly multiplying and are generally high-performing?

A: I do not have specific knowledge about the schools which are referred to in the question, nor about their academic successes. If they are successful in contributing to human well-being, love, social peace and harmony, I would applaud that. Indeed, I wish any activities contributing to the shared human values to be successful, whether they are in the field of education or any other fields of human endeavor. I do not differentiate between ethnic or religious backgrounds in this concern. This is a consequence of my being human.

Q: How does he feel about the school leaders’ recent assertions in the U.S. press that the schools have “no organic connection” to Mr. Gulen or the movement?

A: I do not regularly follow the U.S. press. It is well-known that I have no relation with any institution in the form of ownership, board membership, or any similar kind. For many decades, I have expressed my ideas and opinions about social issues facing humanity. Many people have listened to my speeches and read my works. I do not approve that those who are familiar with and share these ideas and opinions to any extent, or the institutions they work at, should be viewed as connected with my person.

Source: USA Today, August 17, 2010, http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-08-17-turkishfinal17_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip


Related News

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

“Reserve in your heart a seat for all”, a memorable quote by Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish civic activist and the Peace Island Institute’s Honorary President, could have been the slogan for the evening. The Peace Island Institute (PII) branch for Upstate New York in Rochester was celebrating its 11th Annual Friendship Dinner with Award Ceremony at the Double Tree Hilton in Henrietta

Kerry: Turkish President’s Insinuation of US Role in Attempted Coup is ‘Harmful to Our Bilateral Relations’

John Kerry: We invite the government of Turkey, as we always do, to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny. And the United States will accept that and look at it and make judgments about it appropriately.”

Lawrence Seidman on Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet Movement

Rabbi Lawrence Seidman earned a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. After retiring from the Boeing Company, he dedicated himself to religious and spiritual studies. Lawrence Siedman was ordained as a rabbi in 2009 by the Academy for Jewish Religion.

Enes Kanter to sign with Trail Blazers for record $70 million

Turkish center Enes Kanter, known for his previous success in the American National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) jersey, has agreed to sign a four-year, $70-million offer sheet with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Peace Islands Institute Annual Gala 2014

On November 20, 2014 Peace Islands Institute hosted an audience of 250 people at its Annual Gala at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The gala featured a silent auction, live appeal, dinner and exciting live performances.

Peace Islands Institute donates platefuls of generosity

The meat is donated as part of the annual Eid al-Adha/Kurban Bayrami celebration, which is the Festival of Sacrifice in the Muslim religion. Eid al-Adha commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son at God’s command, and marks the end of Muslims’ annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

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

Nigerian daily: Turkey at risk of becoming polarised because of Erdogan

Panel Discussion – The Gulen Schools In Central Asia

Erdogan presses Kyrgyzstan for action against Gulen group

1,000 families provided with meat Kimse Yok Mu in Ankara

Rising Value of Turkey: ‘The Gülen Movement’

Consultation from Gülen’s perspective: The relationship between the ruler and the ruled

Saudi Scholar: Turkish gov’t must give up ‘terrorist’ slander against Gülen

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News