Fethullah Gulen Calls Crackdown ‘Dark Pages’ in History – Responses to World Affairs Council of Philadelphia


Date posted: September 16, 2016

Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen whom Turkey accuses of masterminding July’s abortive coup again condemned the Turkish government crackdown on his supporters, saying Thursday that his “heart is aching.”

In videotaped remarks to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Fethullah Gulen said the Turkish government is using the attempted coup to justify persecuting his followers, who he said are being “subjected to oppression and tyranny, molestation and unlawful acquisition of their private properties.”


Related News

[Cafe Capital] Excessive attempts to manipulate people’s perceptions to backfire

The tension caused by a Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) bill that is designed to restructure the HSYJ, the witch-hunts against police officers, teachers and other public employees who have been profiled as members of the Hizmet community (Gülen movement) and the victimization of tens of thousands of people have created unease among the general public. People started reacting negatively to the accusations and slander, which went far beyond the limits of criticism against the Hizmet community, and started saying: “This is too much!

Erdoğan raising new army of political Islamists

Gülen had to take a stand, not seeking power for himself at his advanced age, but to protect the fundamental teachings of Islam that emphasize humility, moderation, justice, accountability and transparency in governance.

‘Power struggle with Gulen movement weakens Erdogan’

The [Hizmet] movement was formed by Gulen’s sermons – he knew how to reinterpret Islam’s moral and ethical demands. It’s not just about continuing traditions, but about exploring nature, seeing God in the laws of nature and the laws of physics and about finding God again.

Purge accelerates Islamist radicalization in Turkey

The ongoing purge leaves no room for doubt that the Turkish government is ready to go to any lengths to eliminate the Gülen movement. The current rise in homegrown Islamist radicalization is another sign that Turkey’s social fabric is undergoing a noxious change. The major effect of this change has been damage to the traditional mainstream understanding of Islam in Turkey.

Festival showcasing Anatolian cultures attracts thousands in LA

The Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival, which brings the peoples, religions, languages, history and foods of Anatolia to the United States every year, opened last week in Los Angeles, with the participation of tens of thousands.

Fethullah Gulen’s new book “The Struggle for Renewal” sold 200,000 in 20 days

Fethullah Gulen’s new book [written in Turkish] “The Struggle of Renewal,”* the last of Broken Pot series published by Nil Publications, sold 200.000 in 20 days in Turkey. Gulen’s books are guiding ones, which address to and suggest solutions for the needs of society”. Yilmaz Simsek, NT Stores director of Book Category, said the book […]

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

Every second a Turkish asylum seeker heads to Germany

Gülen’s Lawyer Albayrak: Evidence fabricated to lay psychological ground for legal case

The Failed Military Coup In Turkey & The Mass Purges: A Civil Society Perspective

A road less traveled

The Erdoğan mafia

Turkish, Armenian students foster coexistence with exemplary project

Turkish movie ‘Selam’ received with great interest at İstanbul gala

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News