Turkish Schools and Fethullah Gulen


Date posted: June 26, 2004

HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE

Historian Ilber Ortayli made an excellent evaluation of Turkish schools abroad, at the First International University Education Congress, held in Fatih University last week.
According to Mr. Ortayli, Turkey, a country where foreign schools rushed into a hundred years ago, has now reversed the tide. This is a historic achievement showing the greatness of the Turkish nation and our determination to become a great state again.

I would like to convey the opinions of one of our columnists, who attended the graduation ceremonies of the Turkish schools this week:

“There is so much demand for Turkish schools now that only one out of 10 applicants is being admitted. The graduates from Turkish schools, after finishing university, work in the most prestigious establishments in their respective countries, and they ESTABLISH BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THEIR PEOPLE AND THE TURKS, in every position they hold. Even now, there are people, who graduated from these schools and know TURKISH, working at presidents’ offices, the interior, foreign and education ministries.

“I am thinking on my way back from Kazan… Those unsung heroes, who created the Eurasia miracle, those young teachers, who ventured to spend the best years of their lives at the calm steppes of Kyrgyzstan, Yakutistan, Uzbekistan for the sake of an ideal, leaving behind their families and country thousands of kilometers away. Don’t these people deserve, even if not a share of ‘heroism,’ but a thank you from us?” (Gulay Gokturk, A Graduation Ceremony in Kazan, Dunden Bugune Tercuman newspaper, June 22, 2004).

“A Turkish school in a city set up by Char I. Petro… The Cag Education Association, Russian Education Ministry and St. Petersburg Municipality reached an agreement in Turkey, and thus the school was established nine years ago.

“This school has become a bastion of Turkish language, culture, Turkish-Russian friendship and modern education. This is one of the schools that was established through the encouragement of Fethullah Gulen… These schools are the torches of Turkish cultures.” (Taha Akyol, a Turkish School in Russia, June 23, 2004)

Turkish schools have a history of nearly 15 years. They were first opened in the Eurasian continent after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and then in Africa, the Far East and finally in the United States.

Mr. Fethullah Gulen, who is one of the most prominent and respected leaders of our country, a gutsy man of thought and action, has spent all his working life as a volunteer, giving encouragement to these schools.

Everyone gives encouragement. There may be many people, who help or give encouragement to others, in every field. Hence, the important points to be noted here are: Why is Mr. Gulen’s advice so voluntarily heeded? Why do Turkish entrepreneurs, teachers, administrators have that yearning desire to make great sacrifices for a cause? Why do these people become legendary heroes, while their country is reeling under severe economic crises?

Just like Mr. Ilber Ortayli said, this portrays the greatness of our nation. That’s why these schools are not Fethullah Gulen’s schools but schools belonging to the Turkish nation. But you may say, our great nation, that is again preparing to sign a great civilization and humanity project, has produced a civil society hero like Fethullah Gulen, who keeps abreast with the age. In these lands fed by prayers, this can only be a divine gift. That’s why thousands of volunteers have sprung from every nook and corner of Anatolia in support the Turkish schools.

Like the efforts of the enemies, who dared to associate these schools with terrorism, are all in vain, those who accuse Mr. Gulen of supporting ‘reactionaryism’ and ‘of founding an organization in order to take over state institutions, will not be able to receive the slightest support from our nation — except from their own supporters. Since they cannot find any backing, this great nation will continue to respect and support Mr. Gulen and the Turkish schools…

Source: Today's Zaman , June 25, 2004


Related News

Int’l Festival of Language and Culture takes stage at European Parliament

Fifty children from different countries took stage at Espace Leopold, the European Parliament’s main complex in Brussels, Belgium, as part of the 14th International Festival of Language and Culture on Thursday.

French coach Tigana to donate computer lab to Turkish school in Mali

A large educational facility is being constructed on 14 acres of land by Turkish education volunteers in Bamako. While the construction of the school, which will be situated along the Niger River, is still in progress, the volunteers were delighted by the unexpected support from French coach Tigana for the education complex. Tigana first drastically reduced the price of the land and then promised to sponsor the construction of a computer lab in the school.

A new book: Fethullah Gulen and The Gulen Movement in 100 Questions

Professor Doğu Ergil’s two-and-a-half-year study on the Gülen movement inspired by Fethullah Gülen is in English now. Ergil met with Gülen twice while writing the book. The 100 questions Ergil asked consist of those the general public is curious about. Ergil’s analysis accompanies Gülen’s answers to these questions. Gülen gave both verbal and written replies to Professor […]

Nigeria wants more Turkish schools to increase quality of education

Dr. Mac-John Nwaobiala, the permanent secretary of the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Education, said on Sunday more Turkish schools must be opened in Nigeria to increase the quality of education.

Take protests seriously, work to solve problems, Fethullah Gülen urges

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has urged that the protests that have gripped Turkey for nearly 10 days not be underestimated or ignored, adding that “we share the blame” for the unrest. Gülen also urged restraint and patience from his followers and said “our duty is to work to rehabilitate hearts.” Gülen frequently used “we” in a […]

Gülen says many would like to be in detained journalists’ shoes

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has said he believes many people, including he himself, would like to be in the shoes of Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı and Samanyolu Broadcasting Group General Manager Hidayet Karaca, who were detained in a police operation on Sunday, implying that it is an honor for the journalists to be in custody under Turkey’s current circumstances.

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

General Staff ordered broadcasting of anti-Gülen recordings

Wife of veteran who lost hand, eyes in bomb attack under custody over Gülen links

Bank Asya says raising capital, set for growth

Chicago organization welcomes new scrutiny amid fallout of failed Turkish military coup

President Gul says debates over prep schools should not lead to ‘resentment’

The Guardian view on the week in Turkey: coup – and counter-coup?

Media and education challenge in Afghanistan

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News