Izetbegovic praises Turkish schools and universities abroad

Bakir Izetbegovic speaks to the media during a joint news conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, unseen, in Turkish capital of Ankara on Feb. 15, 2012. (Photo: AP)
Bakir Izetbegovic speaks to the media during a joint news conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, unseen, in Turkish capital of Ankara on Feb. 15, 2012. (Photo: AP)


Date posted: September 26, 2012

25 September 2012 / AYTEN ÇIFTÇI, İSTANBUL

The Bosniak member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tripartite presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic, expressed his admiration for Turkish schools and universities abroad in an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman on Monday. Izetbegovic noted that Turkish schools abroad are esteemed for the good education they provide. Turkish schools (aka Gulen inspired schools) have helped the country progress, said Izetbegovic.

International Burch University was established in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital Sarajevo in 2008 with the purpose of providing education in English at a modern university, and according to Izetbegovic it has done a great job of fulfilling the mission of Turkish schools. “The university provides a high standard of education. My wish is that such universities will be able to reach more people and become stronger. There are opportunities for these universities to find means to give education to more people,” added Izetbegovic.

Relations between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina have been strengthened, both by reciprocal high-level visits and trilateral mechanisms (Bosnia-Serbia-Turkey and Bosnia-Croatia-Turkey) initiated by Turkey. The historical ties between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina have also helped in developing closer relations. Izetbegovic shared his opinions about the relationships between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina by underlining the significance of Turkish schools.

“Now, students from Bosnia and Herzegovina go to Turkey and Turkish students come to Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive an education. As we have a common past, we will have a common future,” continued Izetbegovic.

Expressing his satisfaction with Turkey, which helped Bosnia and Herzegovina solve a number of the political problems it was facing, Izetbegovic said: “The success of Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on Turkey, which is a powerful country that is constantly progressing. The achievement of one brother is also the success of the other [brother]. Thus, we are proud of our brother Turkey.”

The Bosniak leader also touched upon the ongoing clashes in Syria. He criticized the world for being late in stopping the bloodshed in the country. “Bosnia and Herzegovina feels Syria’s sadness deeply. It is a big shame that the massacres in Syria are continuing. People still have not learned from the suffering in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Izetbegovic.

In July 1995, around 8,000 Muslims, mostly men and boys, captured after Bosnian Serb forces overran a United Nations-protected enclave, were massacred in the country.

Source: Today’s Zaman http://www.todayszaman.com/news-293392-izetbegovic-praises-turkish-schools-and-universities-abroad.html


Related News

Pak-Turk Schools: A fate undecided

In the last two decades, PakTurk Schools in Pakistan have brought pride and distinction to Pakistan by winning over 260 medals. Its students participated in education and science competitions in 97 countries, and topped the federal and provincial boards as well as Cambridge International Boards of Examinations.

Dutch minister gives Turkish deputy a lesson on freedoms

BASRİ DOĞAN/ADEM KOTAN, THE HAGUE Dutch Interior Minister Piet Hein Donner has opposed critical remarks by Socialist Party (SP) deputy Saadet Karabulut about the Gülen movement, inspired by internationally respected Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen, and said the movement is very successful in integrating into Dutch society. Putting emphasis on freedom of religion and human rights, Donner […]

Deputy speaker of Kenya Parliament: “I Gave Out Fethullah Gülen’s books to Congressmen”

Farah Maalim, Kenya’s deputy speaker of the parliament, thinks that the Turkish schools in his country, and in the rest of Africa “changes lives”.

Diplomatic Row over Gulen Influence in Africa

Turkey’s relations with African countries have been strained following demands by the Turkish government to close Gulenist schools in Sudan, Nigeria, and Somalia. After the attempted coup in Turkey on July 15, which the Turkish government has accused Gulen of masterminding, Turkey’s ambassador to Nigeria called for 17 Gulenist schools in the country to be closed.

In Berlin, inside a Gulen “light-house”

In recent years, the movement has received more scrutiny, not least after its long-time alley, Turkish President Erdogan, publicly split with the group, accusing it of infiltrating state institutions and even outright “terrorism”. Germany’s intelligence services disagree: In 2014, they published an assessment outlining that while some elements within the movement gave room for concern, they didn’t warrant an observation of the movement.

Yemeni authorities praise Turkish schools for persevering during hard times

Yemen’s Education Ministry and scores of high-ranking officials and academics have expressed gratitude for Turkish educators and schools that have continued to offer educational services during difficult times in Yemen.

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

Kimse Yok Mu aid for Pakistan

Gülen says he would free all coup convicts if he had the means

Turkey could find itself facing hefty legal bill for mass purges

ECtHR rules Bulgaria violated rights of Turkish journalist who was deported despite seeking asylum

285 Turkish teachers and families risk forcible deportation and persecution in Pakistan

“Abraham’s Table Gatherings” in Turkey hosts Assyrian community

Turkish Human Rights Violations Put Under Microscope

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News