The Gulen schools are signposts to a silent transformation in Turkey

Fatih elementary school, Istanbul
Fatih elementary school, Istanbul


Date posted: May 7, 2012

ATUL ANEJA, May 5, 2012

In the enclosed greens of a football ground at Istanbul’s Fatih University, a heated contest is underway. Young men from Kyrgyzstan, dressed in red, are feverishly locking horns with a team from Azerbaijan, attired in blue and white clothing.

The atmosphere around the ground is electric — the result of enthusiastic support that both teams get from the ebullient student fraternity in Fatih university, known for its cosmopolitan, international character. The contest ends in a 1-1 draw and both teams with their supporters head for the dining halls for a well-deserved lunch.

Fatih University reflects the silent transformation that Turkey is undergoing. The University is a private enterprise inspired by the Gulen movement (aka Hizmet movement) — a vehicle that has softly but powerfully conveyed a contemporary message of inclusive Sufi thinking. Reflecting the ideas of Fethullah Gulen, the movement also promotes solid values of business enterprise, modern education as well as non-discrimination and secularism in the political domain. It is also a shining example of the Gulen Movement’s commitment to spread quality education on a global scale. Gulen schools now operate in nearly 140 countries. The University is also a manifestation of the rise of the Anatolian Tigers— the pious and enormously successful grassroots businessmen from Anatolia, Turkey’s Asiatic part. The Gulen schools, as well as a handful of private universities such as Fatih, receive a significant part of their funding from the coffers of the Anatolian Tigers.

Source: Excerpted from the article Worldspace: Contradictory colours published on The Hindu http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article3383564.ece


Related News

Police raid Gülen-inspired Samanyolu schools in Ankara

In yet another government-orchestrated operation targeting the faith-based Gülen movement, popularly known as the Hizmet movement, more than 60 police officers carried out raids on four different branches of the private Samanyolu schools in Ankara early on Monday.

How can a government allow damaging their very own successful educational system to please another country?

Highly regarded for their educational excellence, these schools are located world-wide and have over 20 years offered the very best of competitive standards. How can any government allow damaging their very own successful educational system due to internal political turmoil of another country even if brotherly to Pakistan?

Egyptian Congressmen Visited the Turkish School in Cairo

About 40 congressmen of Egypt Parliament visited the Salahaldin International Turkish School in Cairo. They had dinner at Turkish School with their families before their upcoming trip to Turkey. Turkish ambassador to Egypt Huseyin Avni Botsali hosted the dinner. Students of Turkish school sang songs in Arabic and in English after the dinner. Botsali mentioned […]

Nigerian vice-ambassador demands more Turkish schools in his country

“Students, parents and our state are all very much pleased with these schools. We have a population of 170 million and the young generation constitutes a large part of it. So, we demand more of these schools. They are empowering the Nigerian education system as well. They are in demand. Their graduates are able to study at leading universities in Turkey. Affiliates of these schools are operating not only in my country but also around the world.”

ISPO becomes Turkish schools’ success story in Indonesia

The seventh Indonesian Science Project Olympiad (ISPO), organized in Indonesia under the direction of Turkish schools, chose its first four successful participants on Wednesday.

Kenyan president hails Gülen-inspired schools in his country

Kenyan President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta has praised the schools run in his country by the Hizmet (Service) network, backed by U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen who is in severe rift with the Turkish government.

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

Report claims government categorized schools linked to Hizmet

Watch your mouth

Gülen and a new paradigm in the Kurdish issue

Erdogan’s Changing Aspirations for Somalia

Gülen: Despite differences in method peace process in Kurdish issue should be supported

Deputy PM of Turkey visits Gulen-inspired school in Yemen

Buhari’s wife hails culture

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News