Gülen, a man of peace, not behind attempted coup in Turkey

Gülen, a man of peace, not behind attempted coup in Turkey

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen


Date posted: July 23, 2017

Mustafa Yucekaya

July 15 was the anniversary of the failed coup attempt in Turkey that resulted in the deaths of 249 people. From the first minute of the coup attempt, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gülen as the main plotter.

Despite Gülen’s repeated denials of any involvement and his open call for an investigation by an international commission, no concrete effort has been made to find out the true perpetrators of the heinous attempt. Instead, a state of emergency, which still continues today, was declared and is used to silence the opposition and all other critical voices.

One year later, it has been revealed by intelligence agencies in the United Kingdom and Germany that the coup plotters were a coalition of officers that includes diverse groups in the military. There is no credible evidence provided by Turkish authorities that links Gülen to this coup attempt. The majority of reputable Turkish analysts point out that it was, in fact, Erdogan who had benefited the most from this attempt by starting a counter-coup, and most believe that he had known about the coup attempt in advance, indicating that this might be Erdogan’s “Reichstag fire.”

Gülen is a prominent Muslim scholar who promotes dialogue between people of diverse cultures and faiths. He denounces all kinds of violence and promotes modern education as a remedy for social problems. His teachings inspire millions of people around the world who are volunteering to serve their communities, which is often named the “Hizmet” movement. “Hizmet” literally means “service” in Turkish.

I believe that when these dark days in Turkey are over, volunteers of the Hizmet movement will put their hearts and souls into repairing the severely damaged social fabric with love, compassion, and forgiveness.


Mustafa Yucekaya is the executive director of the Atlantic Institute of South Florida, Miami. 

Source: Miami Herald , July 22, 2017


Related News

AFSV Statement on Media and Business Crackdown

The Alliance for Shared Values denounces the politically-motivated raids on Koza Ipek holding group, publisher of opposition Bugun daily, as well as the arrest of two British journalists and their translator. These disgraceful actions by President Erdogan and his oligarchy are aimed at silencing independent media in preparation for upcoming November elections, and at deflecting criticism resulting from massive government corruption, nepotism and failure to accept election defeat.

Despite blocking accounts, Kimse Yok Mu able to collect donations

Despite the latest step in a government crackdown on Turkey’s UN-affiliated aid organization, Kimse Yok Mu, in which two banks blocked the organization’s accounts, administrators for the charity have said they are still able to collect money through their other accounts.

Gülen’s lawyer condemns Erdoğan’s accusations, TÜSİAD calls for sanity in country

Prominent Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s lawyer, Nurullah Albayrak, condemned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s latest comments about Gülen.

Who staged a coup against whom on Dec. 17?

When its involvement in corruption and bribery became public, and that this seemed like the tip of an iceberg, the government thought that it must cover up the subsequent investigation, fearing that yet more investigations would be started — and so crushed the police force and the judiciary like a steamroller.

Turkish-Americans in Tennessee worry about their homeland

If you haven’t heard much about the Turkish-American community in middle Tennessee, its no surprise. Now they feel compelled to talk about bridges that are in danger. They are worried about their own country and its failing democracy.

Part of Turkish media say have been shut out by government

Turkish media close to a US-based Islamic preacher accused by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of seeking to usurp power say they have been shut out of government press events in a move they see as evidence of Turkey’s deteriorating press freedoms.

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

Erdogan’s Arch-Enemy Accuses Turkish President Of Staging Coup, Compares Him To Hitler

Building bridges through knowledge, experience and friendship

Turkey’s Judicial Purge Threatens the Rule of Law

Civil death: Amnesty report on social upheaval caused by Turkey’s purge of public servants

Despite father’s arrest, Kanter refuses to be silenced

GYV’s dialogue center not returned despite court order

Abant Platform convenes to discuss problems of Turkish education system

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News