Dumanlı: Accusations directed at Hizmet Movement is a great disappointment


Date posted: January 19, 2014

ISTANBUL

Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı commented on the accusations directed at the Hizmet Movement, inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, naming some labelings to the members of the movement as very disappointing.

Speaking during a TV program on Friday evening, Dumanlı mentioned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s likening members of the Hizmet Movement to a shady group in the past.

On Tuesday, Erdoğan again accused the Hizmet movement of orchestrating a wide-reaching corruption and bribery investigation which has implicated some members of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government. The Prime Minister likened the Hizmet movement to the Hashishin, or Hashashim, a religious sect of Shia Muslims originating from Persia, which was received great criticism by many intellectuals including politicians and historians. The group, thought to have been active between the 11th and 13th centuries, reportedly carried out politically motivated assassinations after consuming hashish.

“There is a great disappointment. It is hurtful for government to ascribe people, whom it praised and applaud until yesterday, some unpleasant accusations. We are totally disappointed I do not know if religious and sociological outcomes are taken into account while stirring controversy in the country,” said the writer.

Dumanlı also 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? Slandering people so much hurts consciences of the people,” said Dumanlı referring to Erdoğan.

Dumanlı also commmented on the “parallel state” allegations against the Hizmet Movement after the far-reaching corruption scandal. “These [allegations] are all a black propaganda. It is very unpleasant to label people without any concrete evidence.

The writer stressed that election ballot is not everything saying that the AK Party put its all effect to the elections. Naming people as the tool of the external powers wıthout any concrete evidence violates rights of millions of people who can claim their right afterlife,” added Dumanlı.

Source: Cihan , January 18, 2014

Tags: | | |


Related News

How does PM Erdoğan hurt the liberal pious of Turkey?

Turkey has been vigorously debating the nature of its democracy and popular Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling style, which has increasingly authoritarian tendencies, as never before since the Gezi Park protests in May. From my perspective, the Gezi protests, on which everyone was almost forced to take sides, is a grey area since both the government and the protesters made their share of mistakes.

Head of Turkish Olympiads committee: The Nobel Foundation cannot overlook us

ALİ ASLAN KILIÇ Deputy speaker of parliament and chairman of the organizing committee of the International Turkish Language Olympiad Mehmet Sağlam explains that there are important new aspects to this year’s Turkish Language Olympiad, which has the theme of “Headed Toward Universal Peace.” Sağlam says the Olympiad, now in its 11th year, has truly turned […]

Vision-impaired journalist, under arrest for 7 months, denied access to Braille books in prison

Visually impaired Turkish journalist Cüneyt Arat, under arrest over alleged ties to the Gulen movement since July, last year, has said in a letter that he was denied access to Braille books as well as audio-described movies.

Hizmet movement rejects claim of forming political party

Hizmet says it is both practically and theoretically impossible to form a political party or to support a specific party, as it has volunteers from many different political ideologies. “This movement, which has no other goals than to serve humanity, would only advise its volunteers to form their political stances according to certain principles, like human rights, democracy, transparency, justice, pluralism, rule of law and freedom of expression and belief,” the statement said.

Turkey Coup Attempt Leaves America With Stark Choice

In the aftermath of Turkey’s attempted, and failed, coup, Washington is primarily concerned about the future of the U.S.-Turkish alliance and its central objective these days: the fight against Islamic State (ISIS). In particular, U.S. policymakers are concerned about the fate of U.S. access to the Turkish airbase at Incirlik, from which assets used in […]

Election results and the Hizmet movement

Unlike the perception that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tried to create, with the help of tremendous media power, the contention in the run-up to the elections was never between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Hizmet movement (or the so-called foreign forces that colluded with it).

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

US calls Turkey to uphold fundamental freedoms after Zeynalov’s deportation

Supporters of Saylorsburg Muslim cleric say protesters have got it all wrong

Thousands bid farewell to Turkish teacher killed in Somalia

The tragic story of a Turkish family fleeing to Greece from persecution

Letter campaign launched for Turkey’s imprisoned women, mothers

The Erdoğan mafia

AK Party VP Sahin: We can only be grateful to Hizmet people

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News