Fethullah Gülen, Islamist, Acquitted
Fethullah Gülen, a famous Islamist leader and source of inspiration for Turkey’s Islamists (parties and individuals), has been acquitted in a final ruling of the General Council of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Turkey yesterday. He was ’sued over allegations that he established an illegal organization to change the secular structure of Turkey and found a state based on religious rules instead. Gülen was sued under the anti-terrorism law. Ankara’s 11th Court for Serious Crimes decided in favor of Gülen’s acquittal and the ninth branch of the Supreme Court of Appeals confirmed the decision.’
This means that he can travel to Turkey whenever he wants to. He’s free to go where he wants to go, he’s free to meet with people he wants to meet.
What can be said about Gülen (ignore this article at Wikipedia; it’s clearly written by supporters of the man)? Well, most Turks will know about him. Most Turks know who he is, and what he stands for. Most secular Turks both despise and fear him. He has influenced a lot of people, including politicians. His agenda is clear; he wants to bring Islam back into politics. He wants to Islamize the government. He uses science for ‘religious purposes.’ He’s at the center of a gigantic organization, whose goal it is to transform Muslim societies, to begin wth Turkey. He once said that atheists and terrorists are equally despicable. He reportedly told supporters who work for the government, that they should persevere in order to establish an Islamic state.
Gülen respects Said Nursi; a religious leader who opposed Atatürk’s secular system. He also seems to have advocated (Gülen that is) a return to Ottoman-style rule; this means Sharia.
On 18 June 1999, a Turkish network aired a video of Gülen in which he told his supporters to wait for the right moment “to take over Turkey.”
He believes that Turkey’s Western course, focus on the West, has made Turkey a puppet of the Christian world. He wants to transform Islam into a Turkish Islam; one that focuses strongly on the Ottoman past. He wants to Islamize Turkey’s nationalism. Furthermore, Gülen wants to restore the bond between Islam and government in Turkey; like how it was in the early years of the Ottoman Empire. When it comes to the Turkish identity, Gülen argues that “Turkish” really means “Islamic.”
Gülen also believes that only a Muslim Turk is a Turk: “the identity of Turks is Islam, a Turk who does not accept Islam is not a real Turk,” he has said.
He does not try to appeal to the masses at once. No, he takes his time; he influences small groups of intelligent individuals first. How does he do that? Creating schools. At these schools, students are taught to think like Gülen. They are, basically, indoctrinated to take over his views.
It’s clear that if Gülen and his people take over Turkey, the secular system will come to an end. The secular system will be replaced by… the system of the Ottomans.
And that’s a gigantic step back.
Yesterday, when I read in the Turkish newspapers that the courts pardoned him, I was beside myself with anger…. Now why a man who is obviously Islamic to the core chooses to live in NJ, US but not in Saudi Arabia? He cries about Ataturk being the greatest leader, but spits on his ideology and reforms every time he gets a chance? Why are the 90% of his female students in his schools (in the US) having headscarves? And he has over 20 schools in NJ, Pennsylvania, NY, and Connecticut…. And WHY IS HE CHOSEN one of the "100" MOST INTELLECTUEL MAN IN THE WORLD??? What is going on here? On the one hand the West despises "Islamic values" and on the other hand supports it in the Muslim world…. Why the hypocrisy??? I am extremely angry at Turkey for having that b……d back in the country. And I am extremely angry for US/EU for supporting him. In my eyes, he is the Anti-Christ for Turkey…. He is a big threat to any modern ideology we have build up so far as a society. Especially to WOMEN!!!! And Let us not forget the damage the AKP has done to Turkish Politics one more time…… !!!!!
This article is totally biased. Gulen does not aim to islamize the government. He is attracted not only by the muslim turks but also seculars, jews and christians with his ideas of tolerans and dialogue
George, sadly I know about Gülen and his version of tolerance. This ‘tolerance’ consists out of calling non-Muslim Turks… non-Turks. That’s Gülen’s tolerance for ya.
George, what happy pill did you swallow this morning??? Or which biased news have you read to form such a wrong impression of a man who is obviously Islamic to the core of his being??? He hates Women!!! He hates Secularism, he hates Ataturk and his reforms…. hey, he hates the West…. Since, you obviously don’t speak Turkish, you don’t understand his past life. Because if you did, you would listen to his old sermons in U-tube from 10-20 years ago, and understand what a hypocrite he is… he is a very dangerous Wolf in Sheep’s cloths…. let him live in Saudi Arabia where women are not allowed to drive a bloody car or travel on their own…. As a woman, I love and enjoy my freedom… no one can take that away from me…. He is not welcome in Turkey….. !!!!!!! not by me, or millions of other Turks…..
I just read in the Turkish newspaper now… His Green Card has been denied by the US immigration…. now, is that a coincidence? or is there a bigger plan here??? why now? http://www.milliyet.com.tr/default.aspx?aType=SonDakika&Kategori=dunya&ArticleID=880494&Date=25.06.2008&ver=41
It seems ignorance is bliss.
I am dismayed by the comments of the Michael and Nevber.
I have known those involved in Gulen’s activities in the West - they work selflessly to promote and understand people of different backgrounds through dialogue activities and to improve society and educate model citizens. I would suggest people read his works/books than to rely on third party sources who may have their own agenda.
He is no Mahatma Ghandi…. what a joke? There is a deliberate attempt to make him look like he is some peace icon, but his past says other wise. Ghandi never changed, he always said and behaved exactly the same… This idiot which some of you seem to think is some peace activist has so many faces, I don’t know which one to look at any more. Of course, it is easy for you to talk Davis and his like minded friends…. You have nothing to loose…. talk away…. support a man who will ruin my beautiful and misunderstood country…..!!!! No point in crying after my rights are taking away from me as a woman. That is why millions will have to fuss now… before it’s too late….. Otherwise, Turkey can be the next IRAN! what a disaster..
admin: threats are not welcome here
I suggest this author to learn both sides of the story. It is clear that his sources are only one sided. Foreign Policy sees him as one of the most important people of today. Important people all over the world keeps suggesting him for Nobel Peace Prize. He is selected one of the most important 10 people of this century by one of the most respected universities of USA(University of Texas, Austin). Important academic conferences has been held in one of the most respected institutions of each country. I do not know the number of books written about him as of late. When people of the world hear and see about the work that is done by people who are inspired by him, they automatically ask the question of why some small group of people in Turkey are against him. They do not believe that he has political aims such as overthrowing governments, bringing Islamic system to the countries etc.
I hope that the author of this article will educate himself on the subject and will write his/her next column on the subject as a person who knows the subject of his column from all possible aspects. Moreover, I hope that people who comments here do the same thing too.
Someting to read: "Islam’s Trojan Horse? Turkish Nationalism and the Nakshibendi Sufi Order" by Paul Stenhouse (from the December 2007 issue of Quadrant Magazine).
That’s an article that should be read by all interested Nihat. Great, great link.
And the author is correct to do some research into the ideology of Gül, Erdogan, Gülen, etc. This is a real threat. Just because they don’t fight, at this moment, with guns, doesn’t mean they are not dangerous.
Guss, you must educate yourself first before writing nonsense and arrogant comments about a topic which you clearly have no idea about. Either you have an agenda yourself or you are a gullible person who is sadly duped like others. First of all, let me educate you on some historical facts on Turkey, as you clearly have no idea about. There were very in big numbers, strong leftist and secular established Turks in Universities, civil and governmental organizations. After the coupe in 1980 (with the support of CIA), the left in Turkey was completely destroyed. Most of the University professors had to flee the country because of deep fear of being prosecuted unfairly under a very strict right wing (USA supported) dictatorship. The poor and underclass, which normally voted for more left leaning parties, had now nowhere vote because such parties where completely destroyed. The huge vacuum was immediately filled with Islamic and right wing parties. Of course the shantytown people who were uneducated, unprivileged and was totally shocked by the coupe was quickly drawn to a more Islamic and less secular life style. Out of nowhere a party with tons of resources and money came to power, of course with the help of certain interest groups and nations. AKP not only took over the most important secular establishments in Turkey but also ever so slowly eroding every pillar of Ataturk’s reforms. Women are screaming in the streets for their rights to cover their heads instead of screaming for the opposite. Some how, these young people are seeing freedom in oppression. This is a typical Orwellian double standard. Same as give up your civil liberties, for your freedom. Actually both liberty and freedom are exactly the same thing…. It’s the same confusing situation. Such ideas are thrown into the masses to confuse and subdue them. What does this all mean? It means one thing. Keep Turkey stupid, keep Turkey sleeping, keep Turks so drugged up with Religion that they will not be able to question the economical and political circumstances that they are living in. Religion is a very important tool to achieve this aim. Fetullah Gulen is a prefect icon for this! He wants to penetrate every secular conciseness and destroy his/her ability to think and question. He maybe seen as an icon from various sources as you pointed it out, but he is, “a snake which many faces”. Please listen to his old sermons and understand where he is coming from. You also state, “a small group of Turks”…. You are wrong! NOT SMALL BUT MILLIONS are against him. Because we know, the damage he will cause. And thank you for the Editor of this blog to wake some sleepy souls up! …..
Maybe I should educate myself but trust me on one thing: I am no gullible person who is duped by some people. Indeed, I can have your ideas next to Neo-nationalist movements’ ideas in Turkey and have a painful smile on your face. I am not a political person and do not think that the politicians in Turkey , whether it be AKP or CHP, are really in sync with people. Look at this picture that you have not mentioned:
1950s: the first democratic election with more than one parties* is won by the stream of people, whose voters, according to you, are ignorant and illiterate. By the way, what was the margin of the win?
1960s: A coup supported by the leader of CHP, Ismet Inonu, was done by the military to protect the liberties(!!!) in Turkey. The leaders of this party was hung by soldiers. Interestingly, the name of the leader of Democrat Party, who was hung unjustly, has his honor given back later and his name is given to many places today and people love him. But you are right, in democracies, people whom you dont like should not vote, right?
Late 1960s: In the first real election after this incidents, Justice Party wins the elections. How upsetting is it that the people will not come to their senses, right? They keep voting for them.
Oo by the way! EArly 70s late 60s are the seedbed of some other coup efforts, or written threats by the military system, again to protect the secular democracy.
80s: another coup and again a party from the same stream wins.
98: Soft coup and again another party from the same stream wins.
2000-2004 : two coups tried and denied.
2007: Interestingly, military system is not directly involved, except they decided to encourage the artists, judiciaries and NGOs instead.
2008: Judiciary system pushes the country in chaos, does things the constitution does not allow but there is noone to respond because everyone knows that they are backed by you-know-who.
Of course, time gives the best explanation to the events that are not understood at the time. Let’s wait and see what the historians of the future will say about the Ergenokon, neo-nationalists, terrorism in Turkey and World and many other events. Let’s wait and see who will be condemned by the future and who will be upheld.
BUT WHO AM I TO SAY THINGS LIKE THIS: AFTER ALL, I AM JUST THIS ILLITERATE PERSON WHO IS DUPED EVEN IF I HOLD A PHD FROM A RESPECTED INSTITUTION OF THE WORLD. I SHOULD BE BURNED ON THE CROSS BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK LIKE YOU!!!