ERHAN BAŞYURT, BUGÜN
A letter sent to President Abdullah Gül by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen left its mark over the weekend. The original version of the letter has been published.
Fehmi Koru, who delivered the letter to Gül, spoke about the process. According to Koru, who wrote for the Zaman daily for many years, he initially had a meeting with the president, whom he has known personally for a long time, and then met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Later, he went to Pennsylvania — where Gülen is living — on Dec. 21 with the president’s knowledge. He met with Gülen there. He told the scholar about the thoughts and feelings of the top Turkish statesmen about recent developments. Gülen told Koru about his feelings. In response, Koru told Gülen to express his feelings in a letter. The scholar wrote this letter on Dec. 22. Koru took the letter to its addressee, the president. He met with the prime minister the same day in Ankara and told him about his impressions from his contact with Gülen. I mean to say, there is not “bargaining” or “mediation.” There is only a “goodwill initiative” here.
Taiwanese scholar: Hizmet movement bears similarities to Confucianism
Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) A social movement that promotes love, tolerance, dialogue and peace inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen bears many similarities to Confucianism, a Taiwanese scholar said Monday. Turkey is entering a period of reflection, just as ancient China during the period from 770-221 B.C., when Confucianism matured, and the Hizmet (service) […]
The Gulen Movement: A Paradigm for the Engagement of Faith and Modernity
In the midst of this time of crisis and opportunity, my question tonight is this: What is the future of religion in the new world order that is painfully emerging in our times? How can religion support—and constructively critique—this new international order? I personally believe, very deeply, that God is raising up leaders in every […]
Gülen’s lawyer rejects ‘letter of alliance’ to PKK
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, whose ideas inspired the faith based Hizmet movement, denied claims made by the Sabah daily claiming that Gülen sent a letter of alliance to the PKK
Why Is Turkey Targeting Hizmet? Questions about Erdoğan’s Post-Coup Crackdown
In May 2009, I received an award at the International Turkish Olympiad. The event was sponsored and organized by members of the Hizmet movement and most of the performers were students of Hizmet schools abroad. When I, together with a handful of other recipients, mounted the stage to accept our awards, there to shake our hands was the smiling then prime minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyib Erdoğan.
GYV lashes out at ‘traitor’ label for attending EU ambassadors meeting
The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), in a written statement, has denounced some media outlets’ labeling the body a “traitor” over its attendance at the traditional lunch meeting of the EU ambassadors. The statement criticized the allegations published in some media outlets which “in an effort to distort the truth and smear the foundation” said the GYV betrayed the country by attending such a meeting.
Gülen endorses reform package, appealing for ‘yes’ on Sept. 12 referendum
Well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen has said the constitutional reform package to be voted on Sept. 12 contains crucial amendments. Underlining that everyone, including Turkish citizens living abroad, should say “yes” in the referendum, Gülen said, “I wish we had a chance to raise the dead ones from their graves and urge them to cast ‘yes’ votes in the referendum,” as he highlighted the importance of voting in favor of the changes.
Latest News
Sacramento leaders gather for Iftar dinner in celebration of Ramadan
SEO Skill Suite: Tools for Keyword Research, Technical & Backlink Analysis
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
In Case You Missed It
Turkish opposition deputy: Women jailed with children are treated like enemies
Mischief-makers and the Hizmet movement
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen condemns Paris attacks in strongest terms
Liberia: ‘Go Beyond Secondary Education’- VP Urges Liberia’s Turkish Light International School
Watson points to new authoritarianism in Turkish gov’t’s relations
Turkish Cultural Center Holds Annual Friendship Dinner
Medialog calls for law against hate speech and crime [in Turkey]
