I am not a big fan of the Gulen (aka Hizmet) Movement. At worst the movement is a
clandestine Islamist movement disguised as a moderate Muslim peaceful interfaith
dialogue organization OR at best it is Islam’s version of a brainwashing
Scientology-like cult.
Ari Bussel sent me this Gulen Movement perspective of the
attempted coup in Turkey which President Recep Erdogan blamed the influential
Gulen Movement in Turkey. Erdogan used the coup attempt to execute a
Nazi-style purge of his enemy rivals which included thousands of
Fethullah Gulen followers in Turkey.
Ari Bussel sent the Pacifica Institute version
of the account without comment. Pacifica totally exonerates its fearless leader
Fethullah Gulen who actually lives in an obscure compound in the USA in exile
from Turkey. Indeed, Gulen has lived in the USA for quite some time operating
as a stealth Islam interfaith advocate. I use the word “stealth” because I am
more convinced Gulen’s moderation is more for show than actual, much like the
numerous Muslim Brotherhood front groups
in America such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
[I included the video description which are not a part of
the email sent by Ari Bussel.]
JRH 7/26/16
***************
Special Issue on the
Attempted Coup in Turkey
Sent by Ari Bussel
Sent: 7/20/2016 7:39
PM
Pacifica Institute
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Pacifica Institute.
As many of you may already be aware, Turkey is going through
a very difficult time nowadays. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing
situation in the country and we, as Pacifica Institute, strongly condemn this
attempted military coup. A coup of any sort defies the democratic process, and
we stand opposed to such a hostile and violent attempt at toppling the
democratically elected government in Turkey.
We would like to share the following information for those
of you who might be interested in reviewing the developments as they took
place. We sincerely hope that this issue is resolved quickly and in the
best interest of Turkey and its citizens.
What happened?
- On
Friday night, a group of middle-ranking Turkish soldiers
attempted a coup
- Their
focus was on Ankara and Istanbul, taking control of the Istanbul's
bridges, airports, the Turkish parliament, and some police stations
- Their
attempted coup was ill-planned and badly executed
- Their
efforts were thwarted by the police aided by the huge public support
- 161
people killed, including members of the coup; 1,500 wounded; 3,000
soldiers arrested
- The
government has blamed the attempted coup on the Gulen movement. Some
government ministers have also blamed the US as being behind the
coup.
Who is behind this attempted coup?
- We
really do not know. It is too early to say.
- Erdogan
is using the incident as a pretext to purge those associated with the
Hizmet Movement from any position affiliated with the state, society
and to further smear the Movement in general
- For
example, while it was reported that 47 military officers were involved in
the coup, as of now, almost 3,000 officers, including tens of generals
have been arrested. Furthermore, the Higher Board of Judges and
Prosecutors sacked 2745 judges and prosecutors including ten of its own
members. Already tens of appellate judiciary judges are detained by orders
from the Ankara Prosecutor.
- How
did the government determine the culpability of 2745 judges overnight in a
coup orchestrated by a fraction of the military? Clearly, these are people
the government wanted to get rid of anyway and is using this opportunity
to do so.
Has Gulen condemned the coup?
- Absolutely
and unequivocally
- In the
early hours of the coup, the Alliance for Shared Values, an
organization that speaks on behalf of Gulen, condemned the coup attempt.
This was followed by a personal statement by Gulen, and by
leading Gulen inspired organizations condemning the coup without if's and
but's.
- Gulen's
condemnation was picked up by the world press, including the FT.
So why has Erdogan blamed Gulen for this coup?
- Gulen
and Hizmet is Erdogan's "default scapegoat". Whenever something
happens that he does not approve, he blames it on Gulen.
- Be it
a condemnatory letter from 75 US Senators on Turkey; to corruption
investigations; to something [else ridiculous]. Gulen becomes a pretext to
purge state and society of anyone not entirely loyal.
- It is
far easier to blame this on Gulen because that is a narrative the public
have already come to accept. Also, by claiming that the Gulen movement is
everywhere, blaming this military act on Gulen allows Erdogan to strike
elsewhere on pretext that they are one and the same.
How did Turkish people stood with President Erdogan
against the military?
- Erdogan's
support among the Turkish electorate was approximately 40-50 per cent
before this coup. So he already had widespread support.
- Even
those staunchly critical of Erdogan and the government condemned the coup
and stood by the government.
- Crucially,
the coup plotters failed to project the sense that their coup was
succeeding which coup experts point out as crucial.
- There
was no support for a military takeover by the Turkish people
Why have the people opposed Erdogan in the past? What has
he done that has made people so unhappy?
- In his
1st and 2nd terms, Erdogan ran a reforming government.
- However,
from 2010 onwards, Erdogan became increasingly authoritarian as he began
to pursue more populist Islamist policies. The summer 2013 Gezi park
protests was in reaction to this authoritarianism which Erdogan labelled
as a coup of the "interest rate lobby", a euphemism for the
Jewish lobby.
- This
authoritarian streak gained momentum when a series of corruption
investigations implicating Erdogan's inner circle went public in December
2013 onwards. To suppress the substantial evidence and judicial
investigations, Erdogan fought back to control and colonize the judiciary,
media and civil society to crush all forms of dissent.
- Many
people are unhappy with the resulting authoritarian regime.
Aftermath - As of 19 July evening
- 29,464
suspended from civil service
- 1,577
deans were asked to resign
- 21,000
teachers in private schools had their licences revoked
- 6,319
soldiers are in custody
- 950
civilians arrested
- 3
newspapers were denied printing facilities
- 20
news websites were blocked in Turkey
- 2,745
members of the judiciary were among the suspended civil service personnel.
What now?
- Erdogan
has already won. There won't be any meaningful opposition to his
witch-hunt against opposition groups from now on.
- Till
now, the Chief of General Staff resisted Erdogan's attempts of redesigning
the military. The Chief of staff has now given into that.
- Having
attained complete loyalty from Turkish state and civil society structures,
Erdogan next stop is likely to be the Turkish diaspora overseas.
- We are
already seeing coordinated attacks against Hizmet overseas and this is
likely to continue.
·
For the past 6 years Erdogan has been creating
formal and informal structures through which to mobilize the Turkish-speaking
and increasingly wider Muslim communities.
Fethullah Gulen issued the following statement on recent
developments in Turkey
I condemn, in the strongest terms, the attempted military
coup in Turkey. Government should be won through a process of free and fair
elections, not force. I pray to God for Turkey, for Turkish citizens, and
for all those currently in Turkey that this situation is resolved
peacefully and quickly.
As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during
the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any
link to such an attempt. I categorically deny such accusations.
Fethullah Gulen's interviews
Mr. Gülen calls for an international investigation of coup
attempt in Turkey
Posted by HerkulNagme_EN
Published on Jul 16, 2016
“On the occasion of the latest
incident (coup attempt in Turkey), I can say that, if there is such a claim
that there were people [among the perpetrators] whom I knew, whom I motivated
and lead, people who acted with my orders, let's have an international
committee investigate this matter. Let them investigate if there was such a
thing and let them make a decision. I will comply with whatever the result is,
even if it is a lie... I will comply even if the committee is bribed and signs
and fills papers that calumniate. But only a big international organization
should do the investigation, in my humble opinion"
Fethullah Gülen: 'I deplore and reject any anti-democratic
attempts.'
Posted by HerkulNagme_EN
Published on Jul 19, 2016
Q: What is your position on this
coup attempt and the claims that you are involved in this?
A: I condemn and reject any coup whatsoever. I deplore and reject any coup attempt as well. I would raise my arms and would stop them saying that "this is a dead-end", even against considerations of a coup, as the famous Turkish poet Necip Fazil said… This has always has been my general attitude; and my attitude will never change. If even the people who would like to drink my blood would come to the power through democratic elections, I would never consider or approve them being taken down through anti-democratic ways and methods. I do not and will never consider or approve such an attempt. Even if they [those elected] would drink my blood, I would go among people who are trying to bring them down and raise my arms and tell them this is dead-end.
A: I condemn and reject any coup whatsoever. I deplore and reject any coup attempt as well. I would raise my arms and would stop them saying that "this is a dead-end", even against considerations of a coup, as the famous Turkish poet Necip Fazil said… This has always has been my general attitude; and my attitude will never change. If even the people who would like to drink my blood would come to the power through democratic elections, I would never consider or approve them being taken down through anti-democratic ways and methods. I do not and will never consider or approve such an attempt. Even if they [those elected] would drink my blood, I would go among people who are trying to bring them down and raise my arms and tell them this is dead-end.
Why was Mr. Gulen's name brought up in the coup attempt in
Turkey?
Posted by HerkulNagme_EN
Published on Jul 17, 2016
Q: Do you know why the president
(Erdogan) needed to bring your name up in this [coup attempt]?
A: He (Mr. Erdogan) has always had a reaction to those who do not obey him since the beginning.
As I previously expressed in other occasions, maybe, he was concealing some of his feelings.
There are things they were not able to achieve worldwide. People in the Hizmet Movement opened schools in 170 countries.
They tried to open Yunus Emre houses in 14-15 locations but they could not be successful. Turkish Olympiads displeased them.
Before founding the [AK] Party, he came to consult with me about founding the party. I met with him twice. One is when he came to ask my opinion about founding the [AK] Party. I suppose, he went to other people as well. It was not only a matter of asking opinion but also seeking support. I expressed my own considerations at the time.
Then my friends told me this. After he met with me in the 5th floor (Altunizade, Istanbul), when he was in the elevator, he said to the person next to him "we need to defeat them, vanquish them first."
That is, they do not want any alternative formation, any service to exist.
A: He (Mr. Erdogan) has always had a reaction to those who do not obey him since the beginning.
As I previously expressed in other occasions, maybe, he was concealing some of his feelings.
There are things they were not able to achieve worldwide. People in the Hizmet Movement opened schools in 170 countries.
They tried to open Yunus Emre houses in 14-15 locations but they could not be successful. Turkish Olympiads displeased them.
Before founding the [AK] Party, he came to consult with me about founding the party. I met with him twice. One is when he came to ask my opinion about founding the [AK] Party. I suppose, he went to other people as well. It was not only a matter of asking opinion but also seeking support. I expressed my own considerations at the time.
Then my friends told me this. After he met with me in the 5th floor (Altunizade, Istanbul), when he was in the elevator, he said to the person next to him "we need to defeat them, vanquish them first."
That is, they do not want any alternative formation, any service to exist.
Fethullah Gülen comments on rumors about the coup attempt in
Turkey
Posted by HerkulNagme_EN
Published on Jul 17, 2016
Q: What is your opinion about the
possibility that they (the Turkish gov't) staged this coup attempt themselves;
are there any findings that suggest this?
A: In my opinion, how the incident took place is not like a coup. It is more like a sham. High level officers were not involved. In the past, coups were staged by high-level army officers, like generals etc.
I do not know what level officers were involved in the latest attempt. But in terms of how it took place, it seems more like a scenario to me.
There are also rumors. Some people approach the matter in a way that suggests 'they plotted it themselves to strengthen their power, to do the retrenchment he wanted to do.'
There are also his (Erdogan's) statements afterwards. He said things like "Now our hand became stronger. We can easily fire the army officers whom we wanted to fire on the basis of this [coup attempt] category."
When we bring all these together, it is what we make sense of the entire statements made before and after the incident.
We cannot say it absolutely. Saying, 'it clearly happened this way' would be an imputation. However, it is one of the possibilities that come to mind based on the considerations I mentioned.
A: In my opinion, how the incident took place is not like a coup. It is more like a sham. High level officers were not involved. In the past, coups were staged by high-level army officers, like generals etc.
I do not know what level officers were involved in the latest attempt. But in terms of how it took place, it seems more like a scenario to me.
There are also rumors. Some people approach the matter in a way that suggests 'they plotted it themselves to strengthen their power, to do the retrenchment he wanted to do.'
There are also his (Erdogan's) statements afterwards. He said things like "Now our hand became stronger. We can easily fire the army officers whom we wanted to fire on the basis of this [coup attempt] category."
When we bring all these together, it is what we make sense of the entire statements made before and after the incident.
We cannot say it absolutely. Saying, 'it clearly happened this way' would be an imputation. However, it is one of the possibilities that come to mind based on the considerations I mentioned.
Gülen: The truth will eventually come out, let us focus on
integrity and togetherness of our society
VIDEO: Gülen: The truth will eventually come out, let us focus on integrity
and togetherness of our society
Posted by HerkulNagme_EN
Published on Jul 17, 2016
Q: Is there any message that you
would like to send out to the people of Turkey?
A: One one side, we hear certain allegations and discomfort from certain groups of people. On the other side, we see certain people being exposed to oppression and suffering; they are being crushed under the allegation of horrendous acts. I would like to ask all of them to keep their calm. I would suggest that they not rush into any conclusions. Time is the most significant interpreter we have. Let us allow time to interpret, uncover and resolve this issue.
A: One one side, we hear certain allegations and discomfort from certain groups of people. On the other side, we see certain people being exposed to oppression and suffering; they are being crushed under the allegation of horrendous acts. I would like to ask all of them to keep their calm. I would suggest that they not rush into any conclusions. Time is the most significant interpreter we have. Let us allow time to interpret, uncover and resolve this issue.
Also, Allah (God Almighty), whom we
have full faith in, will allow for the truth to come out sooner or later. And
every person will then see things for what they truly are.
Indeed, we must not lose our balance. The nation of Turkey, the people have been polarized and separated greatly. The repair that is needed requires a great effort on all our part. Society needs to undergo a rehabilitation process. In this respect, it would be wrong to bring about new wounds and tears.
The integrity and togetherness of the society.. that is what needs to be preserved.. and whatever that may require, we must do what we need to do.
Indeed, we must not lose our balance. The nation of Turkey, the people have been polarized and separated greatly. The repair that is needed requires a great effort on all our part. Society needs to undergo a rehabilitation process. In this respect, it would be wrong to bring about new wounds and tears.
The integrity and togetherness of the society.. that is what needs to be preserved.. and whatever that may require, we must do what we need to do.
CBS8 - San Diego News: Local group reacts to
accusations against cleric
CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8
By Dominic Garcia, Reporter CONNECT
The local group Pacifica Group,
which follows the teachings of a cleric accused of being behind the failed coup
attempt in Turkey, claims Muhammed Fetullah Gulen was not behind Friday's
coup.
Fox31 Denver: Some Coloradans feel backlash of failed
coup in Turkey
Some Coloradans feel backlash of
failed coup in Turkey
POSTED 6:21 PM, JULY 18, 2016, BY TAMMY VIGIL
AURORA, Colo. -- We’re thousands of
miles from the trouble in Turkey after a failed attempt to overthrow the
government. But some Coloradans are feeling the backlash.
They are supporters of Muslim
cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of spearheading the uprising. The
Multicultural Mosaic Foundation is a nonprofit established by Turkish-Americans
in Colorado in 2003.
Their main source of inspiration is
Gulen. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Gulen and his supporters
are terrorists. But Gulen's supporters say that claim is laughable.
After the gunfire rang out and more
than 265 people died, government supporters stopped the military from
overthrowing Erdogan.
"To see bombs thrown at
bridges, military attack civilians, this is heart break," said Ismail
Akbulut, president of Multicultural Mosaic Foundation in Aurora.
For Akbulut, of Superior, that
wouldn't be the end of it. The accusations came next.
"They held the movement
responsible for what was going on in Turkey," he said.
Multicultural Mosaic Foundation is
affiliated with the Gulen movement, named after the famed cleric, who Turkey's
president called the head terrorist who plotted the uprising.
But Akbulut said Gulen's
movement is about peace, pro-democracy and bringing people together without
religion or politics.
"He preached for more than 40 years
nonviolence. He is referenced as the Turkish Mahatma Gandhi," he said.
But accusations by Erdogan still
spark anger.
"People who we called friends
in the U.S., in Colorado, wrote on Facebook, called us terrorists, threatened
us," said Akbulut.
One message said, "If you
truly like Turkey and you would like to do something good, go ahead destroy
yourself because we don't want to make our hands dirty."
Another said in an email: “I don't
want to be subscribed on the list of a terrorist group trying to overthrow a
democratically-elected government ..."
"We have a culture center
here. We feel we could be attacked by supporters of Erdogan," Akbulut
said.
Erdogan supporters already
vandalized a cultural center affiliated with Gulen in Lyon, France.
"Turkey was doing a few years
ago a good job promoting democracy. Now it's turning into a dictatorship,"
said Akbulut.
Erdogan demanded the United States
extradite Gulen to Turkey from Pennsylvania. And the U.S. said it will if
Turkey has evidence of Gulen's involvement in the coup.
Colorado group defends Turkish cleric accused in coup
Ryan Haarer, KUSA 5:47 PM. MDT July 18, 2016
DENVER - After Turkish President
Tayipp Erdogan reassured the country his government successfully stopped a
military coup, he began pointing fingers at an exiled cleric living in
Pennsylvania whose movement maintains followers around the world -- including
people in Colorado.
The Multicultural Mosaic Society in
Denver is a group that follows the teachings of Fethullah Gulen. The group’s
president, Ismail Akbulut, says he wasn’t surprised by the accusations. He says
it’s led to violence and discrimination against people in the Gulen Movement.
“It is scary because some friends
and family members are being targeted by individuals in Turkey motivated by
Turkish president Erdogan. They are seeing them as terrorists so they target
them individually, attack them physically and also on social media with death
threats,” Akbulut said.
Experts at University of Denver
agree with Akbulut. Director of Middle East Studies at the University, Nadar
Hashemi, finds the accusations to be farfetched but not surprising when
considering the relationship history between Erdogan and Gulen. In 2013,
documents and audio was leaked exposing corruption within the Turkish
government and it’s widely believed that the Gulen Movement was behind it.
“Since then Erdogan has basically
been on a campaign to completely eradicate the Gulen Movement from Turkish
society and I think he is using the coup now as an opportunity to try and
settle scores suggesting that he is going to demand the extradition of
Fethullah Gulen from the United States even hinting that U.S.-Turkish relations
and relations between Turkey and NATO could be put in jeopardy if the united
states doesn’t comply with his request,” Nadar said.
But the Gulen Movement’s not a
violent one despite the Erdogan led government labeling the group as a
terrorist organization. Hashemi says it’s a civil society, religious based
movement that does social welfare work. Gulen promoted interfaith communication
and perhaps most notably, education.
Gulen inspired schools have popped
up all over the world with a focus on S.T.E.M. education and English language
learning outside of the US. Several hundred secular charter schools exist in
the United States, including the Lotus School of Excellence in Aurora.
Hashemi says these schools
generally have a good reputation but there have been investigations into
questionable financial management of the schools run largely by Turkish
immigrants who follow the teachings of Gulen.
“They finance the movement, they
have schools around the world including several hundred charter schools here in
the United States. It does have a certain hierarchal sort of authoritarian
internal organizing capacity and component to it’s internal functioning,”
Hashemi said.
The Colorado Board of Education
denied to appeals for additional charter schools by Lotus citing “financial
concerns, facility concerns, enrollment concerns” and a “lack of transparency.”
But the way schools are run
probably aren’t an indication of Gulen’s involvement or lack-thereof in last
week’s coup.
“It is sad to see people are going
against other citizens, other friends because they are motivated by the Turkish
president,” said Akbulut, worried about an Erdogan dictatorship. “I am
completely against the military coup attempt. I am completely against the
military regime. I am pro democracy.”
Copyright 2016 KUSA
Hate speech in Turkey turns into hate crime
Posted by Social Port
Published on Jul 20, 2016
_______________
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…
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