Turkish schools in Mali stay open despite conflict

Despite the ongoing conflict their country, Malian students are receiving education in Turkish schools, like this one. (Photo: Today's Zaman, Mehmet Yaman)
Despite the ongoing conflict their country, Malian students are receiving education in Turkish schools, like this one. (Photo: Today's Zaman, Mehmet Yaman)


Date posted: February 7, 2013

CUMALİ ÖNAL, BAMAKO

Turkish schools in Mali are staying open to students in spite of the military operations against rebels being carried out in the northern part of the African country.

Northern Mali fell under rebel control after a March military coup in Bamako triggered a Tuareg-led rebel offensive that seized the north and split the West African nation in two. France sent around 3,000 troops to Mali, a former French colony, at the request of its government in January.

Attendance at the Turkish schools at Bamako and Segou has been constant despite the conflicts.

Erdal Karadeniz, the education coordinator of the Turkish schools in Mali, has said that although some foreign schools in the country closed after the conflict broke out, they do not plan to follow suit.

“Our Turkish schools in Mali are continuing to hold classes without interruption. There’s no trouble in the capital Bamako at the moment. Turkish and Malian teachers are continuing teaching together. Parents are sending their children to school. Some of them ask us whether we are going to close the school because the American and French schools here have been closed. But we tell them not to worry and that we will continue to support them. A coup was staged here last year. But we still kept providing education except on official holidays,” he said.

He added that some of the students who had been attending the American and French schools that have been closed are now enrolled in Turkish schools to keep up with their education. Nevzat Öter, the principal of Ufuk College in Segou, said his school opened four months ago. “We are a new school, but we gained the locals’ support quickly. And now that we continue providing them education despite the ongoing operations, the locals have been even more supportive of us,” he said.

Children in Turkish schools learn Turkish in addition to other basic courses. In the Turkish language courses, they also learn Turkish songs, poems and Turkish culture.

As well as two more schools planned to be established next year, Turkish cultural centers will be founded by Turkish businessmen to strengthen the ties between Turkey and Mali, Karadeniz said.

More than 150 Malians work in the Turkish schools, Karadeniz said. Although the Malian people are very poor, they are satisfied with what they have, he added.

The West African country has been in political limbo since a coup in March of last year triggered the rebel takeover of the north.

Source: Today’s Zaman 6 February 2013

Related article: Civil war in Mali did not discourage the Turkish school teachers


Related News

Mining disaster victims commemorated by Senegalese students

Mining disaster victims, who lost their lives in Turkey’s deadliest mine explosion which took place in southwestern Turkish city of Manisa’s Soma district, commemorated in Senegal. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the Yavuz Selim Eğitim Kurumları (Yavuz Selim Colleges), operating in the fields of education in Western African country of Senegal, also one of the prestigious tuition foundations in the country.

South African, Kenyan leaders show support for Turkish schools

South African President Jacob Zuma and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta have both expressed support for Turkish schools in their country, amid the Turkish government’s attempts to shut down Turkish schools located abroad that are affiliated with the Hizmet movement.

Kosovo PM Haradinaj: Deportation of Turkish citizens was hasty

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reported to a parliamentary commission on Friday about the deportation of six Turkish citizens earlier this year.

Romanian Senate president inaugurates Turkish school in Romania

Turkish schools have been opened across the world by the Hizmet movement — also known as the Gülen movement — a faith-based movement inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen that promotes education with the aim of fostering interfaith and intercultural dialogue.

Troubled Nigeria discusses Gülen’s ‘culture of coexistence’

“Gülen-inspired schools have been operating in Nigeria for over 13 years now. This conference will put Mr. Gülen’s thought on the social and cultural map of this country,” Tamer Çopuroğlu, president of the newly founded Ufuk [Horizon] Dialogue Foundation, told Today’s Zaman.

Hizmet Relief ends Cataract Campaign, starts Water Well Campaign

Hizmet Relief, shortly after changing its name, starts aid campaigns one after another. It finishes the “Cataract Campaign” and rushes to finalize “Water Wells Campaign.” The cataract campaign started in July, the Hizmet Relief had targeted to collect $10,000 to treat 100 people. $300 more was collected, which will give 103 people their eyesight back.

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

Police raid successful Gülen-inspired schools, kindergarten in eastern Turkey

The state, AKP, Religious Affairs Directorate, Alevis and rights

TUSKON’s Turkish-Filipino Initiatives to Open New Trade Doors

Police raid building Fethullah Gülen resided in 55 years ago

Pro-Erdoğan troll calls on gov’t to execute Gülen followers

Somalian students condemn plot against Kimse Yok Mu

Turkey builds 50 more prisons for Gülenists: Justice Minister

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News