Filipino military awards Turkish high school for peace initiatives

The award came after the Turkish high school in the Philippines gave support to people suffering from internal conflict in Mindanao, one of the islands of the Philippines, and provided 38,000 homeless people with humanitarian assistance.
The award came after the Turkish high school in the Philippines gave support to people suffering from internal conflict in Mindanao, one of the islands of the Philippines, and provided 38,000 homeless people with humanitarian assistance.


Date posted: August 31, 2014

The Armed Forces of the Philippines have recognized the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Zamboanga for their contribution to peace in the region.

The award came after the Turkish high school in the Philippines gave support to people suffering from internal conflict in Mindanao, one of the islands of the Philippines, and provided 38,000 homeless people with humanitarian assistance. The aid was distributed to needy people by Kimse Yok Mu, the Turkish humanitarian charity that is affiliated with the Hizmet movement, in cooperation with the Turkish schools located in the region.

The military has stated that they did not want this help and initiative to go unrecognized.

Zafer Elen, the general director of the Tolerance Turkish School in the Philippines, has expressed his pleasure over the award.

“The award has been given for the important reason of contribution to peace, a move that once again indicates and confirms that the mission of the [Turkish] schools in this country is understood,” Elen said. He added that the Turkish schools in the Philippines will continue to play the role of a bridge between the two nations.

Elen mentioned that the award given by the military is not the first one that the Turkish schools in the Philippines have received. “In 2011 we were also awarded by a police department for our contribution to peace in the region. In 2012 the Tolerance Turkish School was presented with an award of peace envoy,” Elen said.

Source: Today's Zaman , August 31, 2014


Related News

Lawyer of raided schools: Terror groups do not open schools, they raid them

The lawyer representing a number of schools that were raided in a government-initiated operation in Bilecik province on Saturday and Sunday based on their supposed affiliation with an alleged terrorist organization has said terrorist organizations do not open schools but instead raid them.

Minister of Defense Yilmaz Visits Turkish School in Tokyo

Besides his official contacts on various levels in Japan, Turkish Minister of National Defense Ismet Yilmaz visited the Turkish-operated Jingumae International Exchange School located centrally in the capital Tokyo and was briefed on the school’s activities during his stay. Board President of Japan Horizon International Schools Mustafa Aslan and the school’s principal Kenan Ulu greeted […]

Gülen and a new paradigm in the Kurdish issue

The Muslims, over the past nine years, have been the main dynamic of the change in Turkey. They have questioned their ties with nationalism, militarism and the status quo. These points that Gülen underlined are extremely important. He clearly and precisely identifies the reason of the problems and offers advice.

Is [Erdogan’s] Maarif Foundation capable of delivering quality education?

Not only will the Maarif Foundation be unable to accomplish anything conducive and rewarding, it will not be able to prepare the required generation of youth with open-mindedness and critical thinking.

Targeted by Erdoğan, Turkish schools earn praise, offer success abroad

Turkish schools established by educational volunteers affiliated with a movement inspired by teachings of Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen receive widespread praise due to the quality of education they provide internationally, but for months they have been targeted by the Turkish president.

‘Hizmet’s solution against radicalism should be announced to world’

At a time when the faith-based Gülen movement, also known as the Hizmetmovement, is under heavy government pressure in Turkey, Lord Maclennan of Rogart, academics and scholars have praised the movement at a panel at the House of Lords for its efforts against the spread of radical Islamism and violence across the world.

Latest News

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

After Reunion: A Quiet Transformation Within the Hizmet Movement

Erdogan’s Failed Crusade: The World Rejects His War on Hizmet

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

In Case You Missed It

Did you say extradition?

Islamabad High Court: Pak-Turk Schools will not be handed over to Turkish Government

Yemeni authorities praise Turkish schools for persevering during hard times

“ISIS — A terrorist group making false representation of Islam,” says Turkish Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen

University preparatory courses and the Hizmet movement in Turkey

Hizmet, Gaza and the 14-year-old boy

Thousands bid farewell to Turkish teacher killed in Somalia

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News