Hakan Şükür’s resignation


Date posted: December 22, 2013

HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE

The resignation of İstanbul deputy Hakan Şükür from his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is not an ordinary resignation. It is the most serious incident that disrupts the prestige of the AK Party in the eyes of pious voters.

Şükür’s statement about his resignation must be carefully studied. This statement explains the Hizmet movement‘s perspective regarding the recent row between the government and the Hizmet community for the first time and with a clear wording.

Şükür is not an ordinary politician. He was a soccer player loved by millions of people. He has a venerable, honest and straightforward stance. He respects and is loyal to Fethullah Gülen and is trustworthy, brave and true-hearted. Likewise, he is respectful also towards the prime minister and thankful for his services to our country.

I am sure Şükür faced inner battles before making up his mind. And this process has nothing to do with what AK Party Deputy Chairman Mehmet Ali Şahin meant by saying, “I came to the AK Party by order and I left the party by order.” It was impolite of Şahin to make such a remark. It is wrong to make hasty judgments about people.

I am sure Şükür felt great pain in making this decision. The AK Party’s voter base and the Hizmet movements have been feeling similar troubles for several months. Therefore, those who attempt to defame Şükür, as if he did this by the orders of the Hizmet movement, will be denounced in the consciences of the general public.

In his statement, Şükür actually expressed the emotions of the Hizmet movement. What actually makes the Hizmet movement feel resentful against the government? Which action of the prime minister has hurt them? Who is really disloyal and ungrateful?

What does this resignation tell us?

First, this resignation will affect the political scene. If you ask me, “Won’t everything be the same?” I cannot say “everything will be the same.” This should be perceived as a threat. I am saying this as someone who has been trying to mend relations for weeks.

The AK Party made three mistakes. First, they launched a meaningless, inexplicable campaign to close down prep schools. Ahead of approaching elections, they tried to patronize the community. Although everything was going well, the government wanted to shut down prep schools as an unexpected attack and in the run-up to elections. Remember: Gülen had been hospitalized and the prime minister had called him, expressing his good wishes. Prayers were exchanged. Then, Gülen thanked the prime minister by running a full-page newspaper ad. Then came the unexpected decision to shut down prep schools. Therefore, it is not the Hizmet movement that started the row: it was the government.

Secondly, the prime minister kept silent while someone labeled the Hizmet movement as an organization while an AK Party deputy described it as a “parallel network just like the Kurdish Communities Union [KCK].” This silence by the prime minister and the AK Party management broke the hearts of so many followers of the Hizmet movement.

Third, they treated the people who prayed to God for the non-closure of the AK Party in 2008 as enemies. Moreover, there was the profiling of people, which some AK Party managers described as “immoral.” And the AK Party management still remains silent about this profiling.

Those who wage a defamation campaign against Şükür must know that he is the brave, lionhearted hero of the Hizmet movement. Please look at the matter from this perspective as well.

Published on Today’s Zaman, 17 December 2013, Tuesday

Source: Hizmet Movement , December 22, 2013

Tags: | | | |


Related News

The Process Behind Turkey’s Proposed Extradition of Fethullah Gülen

By publicly campaigning for Gülen’s immediate extradition—before a formal request had been submitted—Turkish officials reinforced the idea that the United States is somehow protecting Gülen or resisting the extradition process. That is not true. There will be critics of any eventual decision, just as there are critics of the delay in reaching a decision. Whatever the result, both governments should communicate the decision with consideration for the long-term relationship and should operate on the assumption that the other is acting in good faith.

Assassination plot against Fethullah Gülen

According to a new book, the Turkish Revenge Brigade planned an assassination against Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen during the days surrounding the Feb. 28, 1997 military coup, when Gülen was closely followed by the West Study Group (BÇG), which was established by the Turkish Armed Forces to carry on the fight against reactionaryism and kept records of the ideological and religious background of academics and universities during the Feb. 28 military intervention process.

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

In a statement published on herkul.org, a website that broadcasts his speeches, Gülen said he was deeply saddened to see “those elderly men” standing trial in these cases, adding that he would favor their release if he was able to. “If I had the means at my disposal, I would tell them, ‘You are all free.’ How? Just like the Prophet said to all on the day of the Conquest of Mecca: ‘Go! You are all free today’.”

Dumanlı: Accusations directed at Hizmet Movement is a great disappointment

Dumanlı reminded that the government deems Hizmet Movement as an illegal group but until recently the government has had close relationships with the Hizmet. “Did not you want to meet with Gülen in May? And did not you send Bülent Arınç when the meeting did not take place?

Gulen movement is of high interest to Moroccans

Morocco is among the first Arab countries where Turkish schools were established. The nation’s prominent scholars like Prof. Abbadi are closely following Fethullah Gulen, a religious scholar, who, with a civilization, individual and education-centered approach -rather than a political one- based on tolerance, offers the most effective cures for the Muslim world.

Amnesty laments treatment of Turkey purge victims

Those who believe they were wrongfully sacked can apply to a special commission to have their case reviewed and either be reinstated or compensated. The commission has “failed to uphold international standards and is acting as a de facto rubber stamp for the initial flawed decisions,” Andrew Gardner, Amnesty’s Turkey strategy and research manager, said.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Message to the conservative intellect on the Armenian issue

First Documentary on the Hizmet Movement

Kimse Yok Mu officials extend helping hand to Syrian refugees

Russian scholar: Gülen promotes peaceful education for a world mired in conflict

Arrested journalist Hidayet Karaca’s letter published in Le Monde

Pak businessmen asked to attend Istanbul Expo

Jailed woman in hospital for delivery to be returned to jail with new-born

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News