News
University preparatory courses and the Hizmet movement in Turkey
Most (university) preparatory courses (in Turkey) are run by the Hizmet movement, and it is very clear that the government’s steps to close down such courses, an action against the movement, will negatively affect a great number of people. Many analysts said it is impossible for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which does not have a good relationship with the Hizmet movement, to close down preparatory courses in the run-up to the pre-election period.
Ethio-Turkish Schools receive “Certificate of Appreciation’ from African Union
The Turkish schools in Ethiopia continue to gain recognition with their contributions to science and education. African Union Political Affairs Department has honored Nejashi Ethio-Turkish Schools in Ethiopia with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their contribution to mutual understanding and peace in Africa.
Lawyer rejects alleged Gülen remarks published by leftist daily
The lawyer of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has denied alleged remarks made by his client against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that were published by a leftist daily on Oct. 9. The leftist Birgün daily published the transcript of an alleged audio recording, which the newspaper claims belongs to Gülen and which was first released by a hacker group, Roj Hack, on the Internet.
Chinese delight in Turkish Culture and Food Festival
The Turquoise Turkish Culture and Food Festival kicked off in Shanghai on Sunday as part of 2013 Year of Turkish Culture activities, providing Chinese people with the opportunity to find out more about Turkey. The first day of the event, held at the Shanghai Mart, saw a large attendance comprising both locals and Turks living in China
Two additional Turkish schools to open in Casablanca
Two additional Turkish schools, one of which will provide education in English in Morocco for the very first time, will be set up in Casablanca, Morocco Turkish Schools General Director İbrahim Aktaş announced on Tuesday. The first Turkish school on the African continent was opened in Morocco in the city of Tangiers in 1994. Other schools were subsequently opened in 52 African countries.
ICG report praises reformist role Hizmet plays in [Kurdish] settlement process
A recent report released by the International Crisis Group (ICG) on Turkey’s efforts to address the Kurdish issue has praised the positive role the faith-based Hizmet movement plays in the settlement process. The report, titled “Crying Wolf: Why Turkish Fears Need Not Block Kurdish Reform,” released on Monday.
Erdogan, Gulen Combat Islamophobia, Extremism
The main factor fueling Islamophobia in the West is extremist elements in the Muslim world. But non-extremist Muslims as well as religious leaders representing and interpreting Islam also have a share in the problem. Muslim religious leaders, for instance, fail to stand up against extremism as strongly as necessary. A major exception in this regard is a person from Turkey: Fethullah Gulen.
Will Gülen Movement schools offer Kurdish-medium education?
Journalists and Writers Foundation Vice-President Cemal Ussak, regarding the Kurdish-medium education at the Gülen community schools in southeastern Turkey, said “It is a matter of course following the amendment to the current regulation.” Vice-president of Journalists and Writers Foundation, regarded as the institutional face of Gülen Movement, Cemal Ussak brought to minds the fact that the movement’s […]
People overwhelmingly support democracy as answer to Kurdish issue
About 90 percent of the Turkish public believe the Kurdish question cannot be settled through military means but by democratization, and that expanding cultural rights and negotiating are the answers that will finally produce a settlement for Turkey’s decades-long problem with separatist terrorism, according to a recent survey conducted by pollster MetroPOLL.
“The Art of Coexistence” discussed in Madagascar
Co-organized by Ravinala Culture and Dialogue Institute and Antananarivo State University, a symposium entitled “The Art of Coexistence” was held on Sep 30 thru Oct 1, 2013, at Antananarivo State University, in Madagascar. In attendance of the event were Turkey’s ambassador to Antananarivo, Artemiz Sumer; Antananarivo State University Rector, Ramanoelina Panja; South Africa Turquoise Dialogue […]
Real Islam can eliminate radical groups in Islamic world, say analysts
MESUT ÇEVİKALP, ANKARA Several terrorist attacks over the past weeks carried out by radical groups in different countries who claim to act with Islamic motivations are seriously damaging Islam’s image, and the best response to such groups is to show the entire world the real face of Islam, which carries the meaning of peace, analysts […]
Hizmet school ready to pioneer education in Kurdish
Following the decision to allow education in languages other than Turkish in private schools, as part of the democratization package recently unveiled by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a private school run by Gülen movement volunteers said it is ready to start education in Kurdish once such a law is introduced.
Turkish American Society of Ohio Seeks to Foster Friendship and Understanding Between Cultures
In existence since 2010 and headquartered in Columbus, The Turkish American Society of Ohio’s mission is to introduce Turkish culture into American Society. Through their efforts in dialog and unique community services they also seek to promote friendship and understanding between cultures.
An International Conference on “Philanthropy and Peacebuilding”
An International Conference on Philanthropy and Peacebuilding, organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) and Kimse Yok Mu (KYM), will be held in Istanbul on April 10-12, 2014. The conference particularly aims to analyze the actual and potential role of philanthropy as an agent in conflict resolution processes, building inter-personal and inter-communal trust.
