Fethullah Gülen backs peace talks between government and PKK


Date posted: January 8, 2013

Yet another show of support for ongoing peace talks between the Turkish government and the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has been voiced, this time from Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who said every necessary step needs to be taken, even if some of these steps might seem unnerving at first, to maintain peace in the country.

In his latest weekly speech, broadcast on website Herkul.org, Gülen said as long as national dignity and pride are not undermined, every necessary step should be taken to maintain peace because “there are benefits in peace.”

The Islamic scholar recalled that the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which took place between Muslims and non-Muslims in the early days of Islam and established a 10-year-long peace in Mecca and Medina, included some articles, which were very difficult for Muslims to accept at first but later turned out to be to their benefit.

“There could be some issues which we find unnerving. Some may say, ‘If only those talks had not taken place… If only that agreement had not been made… If only that consensus had not been reached. We, the Turkish nation, are so proud, we have dignity, we should not bow our head, we should say yes to certain things.’ If some problems are to be resolved, we should act with the same considerations of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and do the necessary thing,” he said, adding that the security of the country should not be placed at risk.

“We should sometimes tolerate things we do not approve of to ensure that our country’s stability continues and that it continues to be an influential power among other nations,” he said.

State officials and jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan have been having talks to broker a deal for the disarming of the terrorist group. The talks with Öcalan are being carried out by National Intelligence Organization (MİT) head Hakan Fidan, whose position as a negotiator on behalf of the Turkish state has been confirmed by the government.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and much of the international community, has waged a bloody campaign for self-rule in predominantly Kurdish-populated southeastern Anatolia since 1984. More than 40,000 people, including civilians and security forces, have been killed in clashes with the terrorist group.

Öcalan, imprisoned on İmralı Island in the Marmara Sea south of İstanbul since his capture in 1999, has significant influence among PKK members and supporters. The Turkish state believes talks with the terrorist head may lead to a timetable for withdrawal of PKK terrorists from Turkey and the eventual laying down of arms.

There is support for the peace talks from many circles in society including the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Turkey’s mainstream media.

Source: Today's Zaman , 8 January 2013


Related News

Lawyer: Gülen will appeal court decision to cancel his green passport

Nurullah Albayrak, lawyer for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, said his client will appeal a Council of State ruling that Gülen’s green passport was obtained illegally.

Gülen extends condolences for death of former deputy PM Arınç’s brother

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who inspired the faith-based Hizmet movement, has offered condolences to former Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, whose elder brother, Yıldıray Arınç, was laid to rest on Tuesday.

Turkey’s top Muslim leader abhors terrorism

The unforgivable inhuman acts bring grief to the heart of Fethullah Gulen, a Turk considered one of the world’s 100 most important influential people advocating moderation in the Muslim world.

Int’l symposium in Washington D.C. to discuss Hizmet’s contribution to world peace

An international symposium under the name of ‘The Hizmet Movement and PeaceBuilding” will be held on Oct. 25-26 in Washington D.C. In attendance at the symposium organized by Georgetown University, American University, Mount St. Mary’s University and the Rumi Forum will be numerous academics and scientists from more than 20 countries in six continents.

Police takes careful approach on Turkish schools issue

The National Police is not in a hurry to deal with the Turkish government’s request to close nine international schools linked to Fethullah Gulen, who has been accused by Ankara of being behind the recent coup attempt in Turkey.

Fethullah Gulen Calls Crackdown ‘Dark Pages’ in History – Responses to World Affairs Council of Philadelphia

In videotaped remarks to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Fethullah Gulen said the Turkish government is using the attempted coup to justify persecuting his followers, who he said are being “subjected to oppression and tyranny, molestation and unlawful acquisition of their private properties.

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

Why was Mr. Gulen’s name brought up in the coup attempt in Turkey?

Turkey-China seek new gateway for business at Tuskon meeting

Fethullah Gulen’s Message of Condolences for Senator John McCain

When paths part…

2017 Victoria Parliament Iftar dinner

Fethullah Gülen’s response to the ‘clash of civilizations’ thesis

A serious question for a respected newspaper

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News