GYV says Gülen did not send letter to Erdoğan

The Journalists and Writers Foundation
The Journalists and Writers Foundation


Date posted: January 5, 2014

ANKARA
The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), whose honorary chairman is Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, dismissed reports that Gülen has sent a letter to the prime minister.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told a group of journalists on Saturday that Gülen had sent him a “peace letter.” Then claims emerged that the letter included the scholar’s attempts to seek reconciliation with the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the prime minister over recent tension that broke out with the launch of a corruption investigation that targeted the government.

According to the GYV statement, the letter was neither a peace nor a reconciliation letter and it was not sent to the prime minister. “The letter in question was sent to another state official. It did not include any negotiation [with that official],” read the statement.

“We’re saddened that a series of incorrect comments were made over false information,” the foundation noted, regarding the letter. “It is possible that Mr. Prime Minister’s words were not fully understood and were wrongly evaluated.”

According to the GYV, the letter followed a meeting Gülen recently had with an individual dispatched by a “respected state dignitary” and the former reciprocated with a letter.

Osman Şimşek, editor of herkul.org, a website that typically publishes Gülen’s speeches, also posted a statement on the website on Sunday in which he said the letter does not contain an excuse or offer of negotiation. In his letter, as Şimşek stated, Gülen expressed his sadness to see that members of the Hizmet movement, inspired by Gülen himself, were being targeted due to ongoing developments in Turkey.

He revealed that the letter was given to a special envoy sent by President Abdullah Gül and was addressed to Gül.

“In those days [of the corruption debate], it was conveyed to us that President Abdullah Gül, having held meetings with various groups in the name of peace for the nation and to prevent debates from escalating further, wished to send an envoy to Gülen to transmit his thoughts as well as to learn Gülen’s considerations,” Şimşek explained.

Gülen also recalled that he had expressed his wish to some high-level state authorities on various occasions not to have prep schools, which he said are very beneficial to the country and its population, shut down by the government. He said prep schools should be allowed to carry on their existing missions.

The renowned scholar, in addition, denied claims that he has influenced state activities, including giving orders or directives to civil servants. He also expressed his sadness to see that some police officers who were involved in investigating the corruption allegations that targeted some government members and bureaucrats as well as businesspeople were removed from their posts on the grounds that they were followers of a certain group, namely the Hizmet movement.

Gülen also said he would continue to ask his friends and followers to act with common sense and work for peace in Turkey.

Source: Today's Zaman , January 5, 2014


Related News

Dialogue Platform’s Statement on Developments in Turkey

Dialogue Platform which is connected with Gulen’s mouvement Hizmet, in a Statement denied any involvment in Turkey’s coup. The Statement says: “Our Honorary President Fethullah Gulen has consistently advocated for democracy and insisted “there is no return from the democracy” at every stage of his life. Hizmet participants have always denounced the military interventions and […]

Don’t Make A Mystic into a Martyr: Fethullah Gülen as Peacebuilder

My conclusion? He’s a mystic in the Sufi tradition of Islam. And like other famous mystics in history—notably Gandhi, or Rumi—from whom Gülen draws deeply, Fethullah Gülen is a peacebuilder. And history teaches us that peacebuilders are likely to be misunderstood, vilified, and targeted. It would be tragic if once again historical forces conspire to turn a mystic into a martyr.

A little fairness, please!

Please, take a deep breath and take a trip back to a short time ago. What do you remember of the “Justice and Development Party (AK Party)-Gülen movement disagreement”? Here’s a brief reminder, for a better understanding of the discussion: Fethullah Gülen was taken to the hospital in an ambulance because of an emergency. Because I visited him that day, I wrote as follows: “One of the persons who made [the] first phone call was Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Former TÜBİTAK VP: Over 250 dismissed in 2 months

The report claimed that large-scale profiling activities have been launched against personnel who possibly have links to a “parallel state” — a term used by pro-government circles to define the faith-based Hizmet movement — upon orders from Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Işık. Those being profiled by the center are being systematically dismissed.

Saylorsburg protesters focus on Turkish cleric

As a corruption investigation embroils the prime minister of Turkey and the country’s ruling party, protesters descended for a third time on Saylorsburg against Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen. But Alp Aslandogan, spokesman for Gülen’s movement, said the protesters’ views are contradictory. He said Erdogan has blamed Gülen for the investigation, so protesters are supporting the ruling party by protesting Gülen now.

Hizmet, politics and political parties

In the past, the Hizmet movement never formed alliances or got involved in an organic relationship with any political party. At the same time, it never ever demanded anything from political parties that strayed outside of the above-outlined principles, or was contrary to rights, the law, democracy, merit or the will of God. The Hizmet movement gains its strength from this fullness of heart and independence.

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

GYV holds reception for attendees of 70th UN General Assembly

Turkey’s Opposition Fails a Critical Test: To Challenge Erdogan

500 Food Packages to 500 Families

Fil-Turkish gives out beef amid terror threats

Abundant accusations [against Hizmet], little evidence

California Muslim Leaders Raised Their Voices, Condemning Extremism

Turkey deports former EU official for alleged Gulen-ties

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News