Pandey writes: "In an address to his supporters, Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan accused Fethullah Gülen - a cleric living in a self-imposed
exile in the United States - of orchestrating the coup attempt against his
government. Here's what you need to know about Gülen, who has denied being
involved in the coup, and his movement, known as the Gülen movement or
Hizmet."
Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen is pictured at his residence in
Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 26, 2013. (photo: Selahattin Sevi/Zaman
Daily/Cihan News Agency)
Turkey Coup Attempt: Who Is Fethullah Gülen, the Cleric Being Accused of
Orchestrating the Turmoil?
By Avaneesh Pandey, International Business Times
18 July 16
In an address to his supporters at Istanbuls Ataturk airport early on
Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Fethullah Gülen a
cleric living in a self-imposed exile in the United States of
orchestrating the coup attempt against his government. Heres what you need
to know about Gülen, who has denied being involved in the coup, and his
movement, known as the Gülen movement or Hizmet.
Who is Fethullah Gülen?
Gülen, 75, is a reclusive but influential Turkish cleric living in a
self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999. He has often been called
Turkeys second most powerful man.
Gülen, who has penned more than 40 books and has often urged his followers
to build schools instead of mosques, leads a popular movement Hizmet
which calls for the establishment of a secular and democratic government in
Turkey.
What is the Hizmet movement?
The word Hizmet literally means the service. Although it doesnt have an
official hierarchy or structure, it is still believed to be highly
influential, with some reports suggesting that as much as 10 percent of the
Turkish population supports the social and religious movement.
Although the movement has attracted support and praise across the world for
its advocacy of interfaith dialogue with the group now running a global
network of businesses, think tanks and schools some have, in the past,
expressed fears that it may have an ulterior motive.
We are troubled by the secretive nature of the Gülen movement, all the
smoke and mirrors, a senior U.S. official, speaking on the condition of
anonymity, told the New York Times in 2012. It is clear they want influence
and power. We are concerned there is a hidden agenda to challenge secular
Turkey and guide the country in a more Islamic direction.
Why is Gülen being accused of orchestrating the coup attempt?
Turkey has a long history of rivalry between the Islamists a group that
includes Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the secularists
which includes many within the military who look to the ideas put forward
by Turkish Republics founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk for guidance. This has
often put the Islamists in Turkey at odds with military, which has long
considered itself as guardians of Kemalism.
Ideologically, Gülens movement, which emphasizes a moderate version of
Sunni Islam, lies somewhere between the Islamists and the secularists. Gülen
was an ally of Erdogan until 2013, when several anti-corruption allegations
were levelled against supporters of Erdogan who was the prime minister at
the time.
Erdogan, convinced that the Gülenists were trying to unseat him, accused his
one-time ally of being behind the corruption allegations. The festering
rivalry between the two eventually culminated in a purge of perceived
Gülenists in the police force, judiciary, media and the army.
Has Gülen responded to the accusations?
Yes. In a statement released Friday, the cleric condemned, in the strongest
terms, the attempted coup in Turkey.
Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not
force, Gülen said. 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.
Alliance for Shared Values a pro-Gülen group also rejected the
allegations, calling the comments made by Erdogans supporters highly
irresponsible.
For more than 40 years, Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet participants have
advocated for, and demonstrated their commitment to, peace and democracy. We
have consistently denounced military interventions in domestic politics.
These are core values of Hizmet participants. We condemn any military
intervention in domestic politics of Turkey, the group said.
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Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen is pictured at his residence in
Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 26, 2013. (photo: Selahattin Sevi/Zaman
Daily/Cihan News Agency)
http://www.ibtimes.com/turkey-coup-attempt-who-fethullah-gulen-cleric-being-
accused-orchestrating-turmoil-2392134http://www.ibtimes.com/turkey-coup-atte
mpt-who-fethullah-gulen-cleric-being-accused-orchestrating-turmoil-2392134
Turkey Coup Attempt: Who Is Fethullah Gülen, the Cleric Being Accused of
Orchestrating the Turmoil?
By Avaneesh Pandey, International Business Times
18 July 16
n an address to his supporters at Istanbuls Ataturk airport early on
Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Fethullah Gülen a
cleric living in a self-imposed exile in the United States of
orchestrating the coup attempt against his government. Heres what you need
to know about Gülen, who has denied being involved in the coup, and his
movement, known as the Gülen movement or Hizmet.
Who is Fethullah Gülen?
Gülen, 75, is a reclusive but influential Turkish cleric living in a
self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999. He has often been called
Turkeys second most powerful man.
Gülen, who has penned more than 40 books and has often urged his followers
to build schools instead of mosques, leads a popular movement Hizmet
which calls for the establishment of a secular and democratic government in
Turkey.
What is the Hizmet movement?
The word Hizmet literally means the service. Although it doesnt have an
official hierarchy or structure, it is still believed to be highly
influential, with some reports suggesting that as much as 10 percent of the
Turkish population supports the social and religious movement.
Although the movement has attracted support and praise across the world for
its advocacy of interfaith dialogue with the group now running a global
network of businesses, think tanks and schools some have, in the past,
expressed fears that it may have an ulterior motive.
We are troubled by the secretive nature of the Gülen movement, all the
smoke and mirrors, a senior U.S. official, speaking on the condition of
anonymity, told the New York Times in 2012. It is clear they want influence
and power. We are concerned there is a hidden agenda to challenge secular
Turkey and guide the country in a more Islamic direction.
Why is Gülen being accused of orchestrating the coup attempt?
Turkey has a long history of rivalry between the Islamists a group that
includes Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the secularists
which includes many within the military who look to the ideas put forward
by Turkish Republics founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk for guidance. This has
often put the Islamists in Turkey at odds with military, which has long
considered itself as guardians of Kemalism.
Ideologically, Gülens movement, which emphasizes a moderate version of
Sunni Islam, lies somewhere between the Islamists and the secularists. Gülen
was an ally of Erdogan until 2013, when several anti-corruption allegations
were levelled against supporters of Erdogan who was the prime minister at
the time.
Erdogan, convinced that the Gülenists were trying to unseat him, accused his
one-time ally of being behind the corruption allegations. The festering
rivalry between the two eventually culminated in a purge of perceived
Gülenists in the police force, judiciary, media and the army.
Has Gülen responded to the accusations?
Yes. In a statement released Friday, the cleric condemned, in the strongest
terms, the attempted coup in Turkey.
Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not
force, Gülen said. 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.
Alliance for Shared Values a pro-Gülen group also rejected the
allegations, calling the comments made by Erdogans supporters highly
irresponsible.
For more than 40 years, Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet participants have
advocated for, and demonstrated their commitment to, peace and democracy. We
have consistently denounced military interventions in domestic politics.
These are core values of Hizmet participants. We condemn any military
intervention in domestic politics of Turkey, the group said.
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http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
