Gulen Schools Worldwide
Restore the Ottoman Caliphate. Disclaimer: if some videos are down this is the result of Gulen censorship which filed a fake copyright infringement to UTUBE.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Kyrgyzstan Ambassador expressed concern about growing prominence of Fethullah Gulen-funded high schools
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¶5. (C) Alpman explained the two-pronged approach to Turkish-Kyrgyz relations by supporting education and investment projects. She said that in addition to funding Manas University, the Turkish government supported other education establishments, such as the theological department at Osh State University, a vocational school for girls, and a high school for gifted students. Alpman expressed her concern about the growing prominence of Fetullah Gulen-funded high schools in Kyrgyzstan (she noted that Gulen is a devout Turk who has run afoul of the Turkish government in the past for his intense religious views). Alpman said that these private schools are growing in popularity because most of the instruction is in English but that the ultra-conservative message may have a negative impact on Kyrgyz youth. Alpman added that her government promoted investment opportunities in Kyrgyzstan for Turkish businesses. She said that several Turkish companies successfully operate in the free trade zones near Bishkek, producing items such as building materials and plastic bottles. In the south, Turkish firms have increased exports of Kyrgyz food products in the last few years. Complete Wikileaks cable here: |
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Trouble at Gulen Turkish School in Dakar, Senegal AFRICA
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| No one should be surprised at this article the Turkish School Director is being accused of discrimination toward the Sengalese staff and acting like a "dictator" (surprise surprise) Rewmi, Dakar, Senegal, May 10, 2011 Anger: serious charges against the Yavuz Selim School Group of Dakar by Fara Michel Dièye (a.k.a. University of Dakar), strongly objected to their working conditions. Speaking out against a "form of slavery,” these teachers intend to implement several plans of action against their director. The problems they face are related to their poor working conditions, labor law violations, wages that according to them are meager, and also delays in payment of wages and the exploitation of personnel. According to the press release they sent us, “a class brings in an average of 12,420,000 francs per month while the teacher sees only 130,000 CFA francs." [Translator’s note: the currency of Senegal is the CFA franc. The exchange rate as of Sep 2011 was around 465 CFA francs = 1 US dollar.] Speaking out against a form of racism and nepotism, they point out that over a year ago at the elementary school located at Mermoz there was a story of a pedophile and deviant behavior reported in the news. Launching a bitter attack on the director who they say "reigns like a true dictator," the teachers reveal that he refuses to even shake hands with teachers that he considers atheist because they wear amulets. Funny and sad at the same time, the complainants attest that "because his daughter received a score of 6/10 in drawing, he flew into a rage, even going so far as to threaten any teacher who dared to give his daughter a failing grade." Carrying the allegations further, they emphasize that any claim is synonymous with dismissal. "In the manner of a true dictator, he managed to divide the Turkish and Senegalese staff of the General Director. It's the same poisonous atmosphere that exists at the elementary school in Thies and the kindergarten located in Sud Foire," the accusers assert. [Translator's note; Thies is a city about 25 miles east of Dakar; Sud Foire is about 10 miles west of Dakar, near the international airport.] These teachers, organized in a union, are planning to boycott the proctoring and grading of entrance tests planned for May 14, and say they want to put in place other plans of action which could go so far as to declare the Director of the Elementary School "persona non grata.” To get their side of the story, we tried several times to contact a responsible member of the accused group, but there was always no answer to the phone calls. Fara Michel Dièye Note: Rewmi is a news portal in Senegal that is mentioned in this list of Senegalese news sources maintained at Stanford University. The original article in French published on the Rewmi website can be read here. The Teachers Union of the Yavuz Selim School Group (Groupe Scolaire Yavuz Selim), a Turkish school located in Dakar in front of the Cheikh Anta Diop University Article from Gulen’s personal mouthpiece paper Today’s Zaman 2008, Babacan visits Turkish school in Dakar Yavus Selim is openly considered a Turkish Islamic school named after a mosque built during the Ottoman era The Yavuz Selim Mosque, also known as the Selim I Mosque (Turkish: Yavuz Selim Camii) is an Ottoman imperial mosque located top of the 5th Hill of Istanbul, Turkey, overlooking the Golden Horn. Its size and geographic position make it a familiar landmark on the Istanbul skyline. |
Turkish Court indicts journalists for "assisting terrorists Organization" Their real crime is opposing Gulenists
Turkish court indicts journalists for "assisting terrorist organization." Their real crime is opposing Gulenists
Focus Magazine (Germany)
"It is our right to say no." - by Andrea Hoffman, Editor
"It is our right to say no." - by Andrea Hoffman, Editor
Interview with jailed Turkish journalist Ahmet Sik, June 12, 2011.
Click here and here for original article (in German) at Focus Magazine website (with photograph of Mr. Sik).
The star Turkish journalist Ahmet Sik authored a book about the mysterious Fethullah Gulen Movement - and was promptly arrested. In prison, he revealed to FOCUS Online the contents of the book, which is banned in Turkey.
FOCUS Online: Mr. Sik, what is the core thesis of your book, which was banned in Turkey?
SIK: My contention is as follows: starting from the 1970s, the Turkish police has been infiltrated by the Islamic Gulen Movement. By now, this infiltration has reached a very serious stage: all key police departments are now controlled by the Gulen religious community.
FOCUS Online: What does the Gulen Movement stand for, and what does it want to achieve?
SIK: For some it is a faith-based community, for others a religious movement that is going to establish an Islamic state in Turkey, for yet others a movement of volunteers. Originally it was only an offshoot of the Nurcu Community. Since the 1980s, they have been very active in the area of education in order to create the leadership circle of Turkey for the new millenium (2000s). They called the young people that emerged from this educational campaign the "Golden Generation". Their calculations paid off: today, in the Turkey of 2011, they have important positions.
FOCUS Online: What percentage of the police has been penetrated by Gulenists?
SIK: All major departments are under their control: the intelligence service, the department for combating smuggling and organized crime - the infiltration there reaches one hundred percent. Within the units to combat terrorism, the proportion is somewhat lower. The first bastion captured by the Movement was the personnel department, which recruits police officers. The Movement is also very powerful in the police academies.
FOCUS Online: Can you describe the ideology of the Gulen movement?
SIK: The ideological breeding ground of the movement was the so-called "Turkish-Islamic Synthesis," that was to spread across all of Turkey as a result of the coup of September 12, 1980: it comprises a link between Islam with a nationalism that is crass in every respect. Nothing and nobody can convince me that a religious structure that feeds off military coups could be democratically minded. Of course, everyone should practice their faith as they themselves think best. But if someone starts to anchor this faith in the bureaucracy, it is our right to say no.
FOCUS Online: Does the Gulen Movement have ambitions for an Islamic state?
SIK: I do not think that the Gulen Community or any other religious movement in Turkey will impose an Islamic state. The Gulen Community may perhaps have fostered such desires in the past. I think however that the Community in the current millennium (2000s) does not intend this, because it has by now created its own quasi-bourgeois class, which distances itself from that idea. The Gulen Movement aspires to a Turkey in which parties that are ideologically close to them - such as the AKP – have the say. Furthermore, they of course want a Turkey in which economic, political and religious opponents of their Community are weaker than they are. And they want a Turkey that, though not governed by Sharia, is, however, more conservative than the present.
FOCUS Online: How strong is the Gulen movement in the AKP?
SIK: It can be assumed that there is a convergence of interests between the AKP and the Gülen Movement. In other words, supporters of the Gulen Movement mainly vote for the AKP. In order to not lose favor with these constituents, the party grants the Movement the freedom to establish itself in the bureaucracy.
The Danger of the Gulen Movement
FOCUS Online: Is Prime Minister Erdogan personally connected to the Gulen Movement?
SIK: Mr. Erdogan is not a member of the Gulen movement; that is known. It is said that President Gul is closer to the community. However, this is speculation. As long as a person has not stated this themselves, we can say nothing definitive. But I can confirm the following: In the AKP every religious current has a share that is proportional to their strength.
FOCUS Online: Is Turkey covertly ruled by the Gulen movement?
SIK: It would be reaching too far to say so. One has to speak instead of a coalition between the AKP and the Movement: both maintain a pragmatic relationship based on mutual interests.
FOCUS Online: Wherein lies the danger that arises from the Gulen Movement?
SIK: A great danger exists in the confrontation of the two major armed forces of Turkey: The army and the police. The army has traditionally defended itself against attempts at Islamist infiltration. Notwithstanding that, the Gulen movement is attempting to gain a foothold there - which so far it has not succeeded in doing to the extent desired. In the police, which are the second strongest power in Turkey, the Gulen Community is arming itself against the army: through a legislative amendment of Jan 1, 2011 the police were granted the right to carry heavy weapons. The question, "What are such intensive preparations for?" remains unanswered. And as I was covering precisely this organizational effort in my book, I was automatically a target.
FOCUS Online: In Turkey, your book is banned. Even having a copy of it on one’s hard drive makes one liable to prosecution. Why has there been this overreaction?
SIK: I was not surprised by this witch hunt. The Gulen Community already forms one of the main pillars of the Turkish government and does not wish to be criticized.
FOCUS Online: How are you treated in prison?
SIK: The staff of the prison do not treat me badly. On the contrary, they are attentive and polite towards me. All the same, it is bad enough to be cut off from one’s freedom and loved ones, especially since this happened without any legal basis. I am staying in a triple room. Once a week, I can receive a closed visit of 45 minutes, and once a month an open visit of 75 minutes. Once a week I can make a telephone call for ten minutes. Twice a week I have the provision of warm water. As far as books and newspapers, I experience no significant limitation: in 40 days I read 11 books.
FOCUS Online: When do you expect to be released?
SIK: I do not expect to be released before the election. The government hopes that by then I fall into oblivion, because the general commotion surrounding my person that would ensue on releasing me would probably cost them votes.
Click here and here for original article (in German) at Focus Magazine website (with photograph of Mr. Sik).
The star Turkish journalist Ahmet Sik authored a book about the mysterious Fethullah Gulen Movement - and was promptly arrested. In prison, he revealed to FOCUS Online the contents of the book, which is banned in Turkey.
FOCUS Online: Mr. Sik, what is the core thesis of your book, which was banned in Turkey?
SIK: My contention is as follows: starting from the 1970s, the Turkish police has been infiltrated by the Islamic Gulen Movement. By now, this infiltration has reached a very serious stage: all key police departments are now controlled by the Gulen religious community.
FOCUS Online: What does the Gulen Movement stand for, and what does it want to achieve?
SIK: For some it is a faith-based community, for others a religious movement that is going to establish an Islamic state in Turkey, for yet others a movement of volunteers. Originally it was only an offshoot of the Nurcu Community. Since the 1980s, they have been very active in the area of education in order to create the leadership circle of Turkey for the new millenium (2000s). They called the young people that emerged from this educational campaign the "Golden Generation". Their calculations paid off: today, in the Turkey of 2011, they have important positions.
FOCUS Online: What percentage of the police has been penetrated by Gulenists?
SIK: All major departments are under their control: the intelligence service, the department for combating smuggling and organized crime - the infiltration there reaches one hundred percent. Within the units to combat terrorism, the proportion is somewhat lower. The first bastion captured by the Movement was the personnel department, which recruits police officers. The Movement is also very powerful in the police academies.
FOCUS Online: Can you describe the ideology of the Gulen movement?
SIK: The ideological breeding ground of the movement was the so-called "Turkish-Islamic Synthesis," that was to spread across all of Turkey as a result of the coup of September 12, 1980: it comprises a link between Islam with a nationalism that is crass in every respect. Nothing and nobody can convince me that a religious structure that feeds off military coups could be democratically minded. Of course, everyone should practice their faith as they themselves think best. But if someone starts to anchor this faith in the bureaucracy, it is our right to say no.
FOCUS Online: Does the Gulen Movement have ambitions for an Islamic state?
SIK: I do not think that the Gulen Community or any other religious movement in Turkey will impose an Islamic state. The Gulen Community may perhaps have fostered such desires in the past. I think however that the Community in the current millennium (2000s) does not intend this, because it has by now created its own quasi-bourgeois class, which distances itself from that idea. The Gulen Movement aspires to a Turkey in which parties that are ideologically close to them - such as the AKP – have the say. Furthermore, they of course want a Turkey in which economic, political and religious opponents of their Community are weaker than they are. And they want a Turkey that, though not governed by Sharia, is, however, more conservative than the present.
FOCUS Online: How strong is the Gulen movement in the AKP?
SIK: It can be assumed that there is a convergence of interests between the AKP and the Gülen Movement. In other words, supporters of the Gulen Movement mainly vote for the AKP. In order to not lose favor with these constituents, the party grants the Movement the freedom to establish itself in the bureaucracy.
The Danger of the Gulen Movement
FOCUS Online: Is Prime Minister Erdogan personally connected to the Gulen Movement?
SIK: Mr. Erdogan is not a member of the Gulen movement; that is known. It is said that President Gul is closer to the community. However, this is speculation. As long as a person has not stated this themselves, we can say nothing definitive. But I can confirm the following: In the AKP every religious current has a share that is proportional to their strength.
FOCUS Online: Is Turkey covertly ruled by the Gulen movement?
SIK: It would be reaching too far to say so. One has to speak instead of a coalition between the AKP and the Movement: both maintain a pragmatic relationship based on mutual interests.
FOCUS Online: Wherein lies the danger that arises from the Gulen Movement?
SIK: A great danger exists in the confrontation of the two major armed forces of Turkey: The army and the police. The army has traditionally defended itself against attempts at Islamist infiltration. Notwithstanding that, the Gulen movement is attempting to gain a foothold there - which so far it has not succeeded in doing to the extent desired. In the police, which are the second strongest power in Turkey, the Gulen Community is arming itself against the army: through a legislative amendment of Jan 1, 2011 the police were granted the right to carry heavy weapons. The question, "What are such intensive preparations for?" remains unanswered. And as I was covering precisely this organizational effort in my book, I was automatically a target.
FOCUS Online: In Turkey, your book is banned. Even having a copy of it on one’s hard drive makes one liable to prosecution. Why has there been this overreaction?
SIK: I was not surprised by this witch hunt. The Gulen Community already forms one of the main pillars of the Turkish government and does not wish to be criticized.
FOCUS Online: How are you treated in prison?
SIK: The staff of the prison do not treat me badly. On the contrary, they are attentive and polite towards me. All the same, it is bad enough to be cut off from one’s freedom and loved ones, especially since this happened without any legal basis. I am staying in a triple room. Once a week, I can receive a closed visit of 45 minutes, and once a month an open visit of 75 minutes. Once a week I can make a telephone call for ten minutes. Twice a week I have the provision of warm water. As far as books and newspapers, I experience no significant limitation: in 40 days I read 11 books.
FOCUS Online: When do you expect to be released?
SIK: I do not expect to be released before the election. The government hopes that by then I fall into oblivion, because the general commotion surrounding my person that would ensue on releasing me would probably cost them votes.
 |
| jailed Turkish writer Ahmed Sik, interviewed from prison |
Friday, September 9, 2011
Gulen Movement denial of private Austrian school, "Good bye" from famous Austrian
A Tyrolean town has rejected a group of Turkish businesspeople’s appeal to run a school.
A commission formed by Rum Town Hall officials announced yesterday (Tues) it unanimously agreed to veto the endeavour. Turkish investors and retail trade entrepreneurs asked decision-makers whether they could create and manage a private school. The group aimed at setting up an association to finance the project which would have got underway in 2013. However, local political leaders dismissed their bid.
Provincial education authorities welcomed the decision, claiming the foundation of a private school managed by Turks would have been a "wrong approach." The right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) agreed, arguing that this would not have been a "good contribution to successful integration." Both the FPÖ and the Tyrolean People’s Party (ÖVP) told Die Presse newspaper that the foundation of a private Turkish secondary modern school – or Gymnasium as the type of school is called in German – could have created "parallel societies."
The provincial branch of the Social Democrats (SPÖ) – who cooperate with the ÖVP on federal political level – were not in favour of the project either. SPÖ official Elisabeth Blanik said speaking to Die Presse that efforts to ensure public schools meet everybody’s demands were needed. The Tyrolean Green Party expressed understanding for the "legitimate" point of view of the town hall of Rum, a small town situated near provincial capital Innsbruck.
Die Presse reports today it is unclear whether the association of Turkish businesspeople behind the project has intentions to appeal the decision. A real estate entrepreneur looking for a property for them to accommodate the planned school in is allegedly not surprised by local politicians’ veto because of "hostile" media coverage as decision day approached.
The Turkish investors wanted Turkish children, kids with a migratory background and Austrian pupils to be taught Turkish either as their mother tongue or as a foreign language. Their project – which would have followed the example of educational institutions in Vienna – came in the middle of heated debate over if and how the Austrian school system has to be reformed.
Businesspeople and experts have deplored the poor level of education and general knowledge of many young people when they leave school while the SPÖ-ÖVP administration is at odds over a reintroduction of tuition fees at universities. The fees were abolished three years ago. Chancellor Werner Faymann’s SPÖ opposes a comeback while the conservative ÖVP is in favour of reintroducing them to help improve the situation at higher education institutions many students and lecturers label as "chaotic."
SPÖ Education Minister Claudia Schmied was forced to put plans to raise the reputation of Turkish as a foreign language to be learned at schools on hold only recently. Schmied aimed at offering children to graduate in the subject in the final year of their school time. Pupils can currently choose between English, French, Italian, Spanish and several other languages. The education minister decided not to take further steps after making her idea public when she realised that the ÖVP – which is headed by Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger – strictly opposes it. The federal Green Party backed Schmied’s proposal.
The issue about Turkish as a final exam school subject and news that Rum will not get a private secondary modern school financed by Turkish entrepreneurs comes shortly after new ÖVP State Secretary for Integration, Sebastian Kurz, hit out at FPÖ chairman Heinz-Christian Strache.
Asked by the Kurier newspaper whether he was the ÖVP’s "anti-Strache," Kurz – who was sworn in last April – said: "I don’t define myself with what I am against."
Kurz explained: "Many people can currently identify with Strache. Nevertheless, I have no interest in parroting his words. (...) It would be an easy thing to do to say a few slogans to become more popular and garner extra votes – but this is not my approach."
Spindelegger wants Kurz to come up with fresh suggestions about integration. The discussion among residents of Austria, politicians and sociologists about whether most immigrants are integrated well has intensified in the past few years. Especially the role and standing of Muslims in Austria is under scrutiny as the FPÖ managed to increase their share in a string of various elections ranging from general ballots to provincial votes and city parliament elections with their anti-immigration campaign.
Strache emphasised he had nothing against anyone coming to the country who integrated well. However, his party is infamous for linking crime statistics with the influx of foreigners in a disputed way. FPÖ General Secretary Harald Vilimsky called for a stop of integration from Muslim countries last year.
Kurz suggested the creation of a Forum Islam to debate the key topics there. He also called for a labour market task force helping immigrants to find a job in Austria. The number of immigrants out of work has always been higher than Austrians’ unemployment rate. Kurz also said that the education and training of imams could be discussed in a possible Forum Islam. The state secretary previously made clear imams should preach in German only in Austria.
Kurz is understood of being in favour of keeping a project running in which well-known Austrians with a migratory background visit schools to talk about their careers and daily life in Austria. Athletes, businesspeople and politicians participated in the project which has been welcomed by most education officials.
A commission formed by Rum Town Hall officials announced yesterday (Tues) it unanimously agreed to veto the endeavour. Turkish investors and retail trade entrepreneurs asked decision-makers whether they could create and manage a private school. The group aimed at setting up an association to finance the project which would have got underway in 2013. However, local political leaders dismissed their bid.
Provincial education authorities welcomed the decision, claiming the foundation of a private school managed by Turks would have been a "wrong approach." The right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) agreed, arguing that this would not have been a "good contribution to successful integration." Both the FPÖ and the Tyrolean People’s Party (ÖVP) told Die Presse newspaper that the foundation of a private Turkish secondary modern school – or Gymnasium as the type of school is called in German – could have created "parallel societies."
The provincial branch of the Social Democrats (SPÖ) – who cooperate with the ÖVP on federal political level – were not in favour of the project either. SPÖ official Elisabeth Blanik said speaking to Die Presse that efforts to ensure public schools meet everybody’s demands were needed. The Tyrolean Green Party expressed understanding for the "legitimate" point of view of the town hall of Rum, a small town situated near provincial capital Innsbruck.
Die Presse reports today it is unclear whether the association of Turkish businesspeople behind the project has intentions to appeal the decision. A real estate entrepreneur looking for a property for them to accommodate the planned school in is allegedly not surprised by local politicians’ veto because of "hostile" media coverage as decision day approached.
The Turkish investors wanted Turkish children, kids with a migratory background and Austrian pupils to be taught Turkish either as their mother tongue or as a foreign language. Their project – which would have followed the example of educational institutions in Vienna – came in the middle of heated debate over if and how the Austrian school system has to be reformed.
Businesspeople and experts have deplored the poor level of education and general knowledge of many young people when they leave school while the SPÖ-ÖVP administration is at odds over a reintroduction of tuition fees at universities. The fees were abolished three years ago. Chancellor Werner Faymann’s SPÖ opposes a comeback while the conservative ÖVP is in favour of reintroducing them to help improve the situation at higher education institutions many students and lecturers label as "chaotic."
SPÖ Education Minister Claudia Schmied was forced to put plans to raise the reputation of Turkish as a foreign language to be learned at schools on hold only recently. Schmied aimed at offering children to graduate in the subject in the final year of their school time. Pupils can currently choose between English, French, Italian, Spanish and several other languages. The education minister decided not to take further steps after making her idea public when she realised that the ÖVP – which is headed by Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger – strictly opposes it. The federal Green Party backed Schmied’s proposal.
The issue about Turkish as a final exam school subject and news that Rum will not get a private secondary modern school financed by Turkish entrepreneurs comes shortly after new ÖVP State Secretary for Integration, Sebastian Kurz, hit out at FPÖ chairman Heinz-Christian Strache.
Asked by the Kurier newspaper whether he was the ÖVP’s "anti-Strache," Kurz – who was sworn in last April – said: "I don’t define myself with what I am against."
Kurz explained: "Many people can currently identify with Strache. Nevertheless, I have no interest in parroting his words. (...) It would be an easy thing to do to say a few slogans to become more popular and garner extra votes – but this is not my approach."
Spindelegger wants Kurz to come up with fresh suggestions about integration. The discussion among residents of Austria, politicians and sociologists about whether most immigrants are integrated well has intensified in the past few years. Especially the role and standing of Muslims in Austria is under scrutiny as the FPÖ managed to increase their share in a string of various elections ranging from general ballots to provincial votes and city parliament elections with their anti-immigration campaign.
Strache emphasised he had nothing against anyone coming to the country who integrated well. However, his party is infamous for linking crime statistics with the influx of foreigners in a disputed way. FPÖ General Secretary Harald Vilimsky called for a stop of integration from Muslim countries last year.
Kurz suggested the creation of a Forum Islam to debate the key topics there. He also called for a labour market task force helping immigrants to find a job in Austria. The number of immigrants out of work has always been higher than Austrians’ unemployment rate. Kurz also said that the education and training of imams could be discussed in a possible Forum Islam. The state secretary previously made clear imams should preach in German only in Austria.
Kurz is understood of being in favour of keeping a project running in which well-known Austrians with a migratory background visit schools to talk about their careers and daily life in Austria. Athletes, businesspeople and politicians participated in the project which has been welcomed by most education officials.
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