Tuesday, May 13, 2014
NEW YORK, May 12, 2014
The senseless kidnappings of hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria are deplorable and heartbreaking. I condemn these actions unequivocally and call upon the perpetrators of these acts to immediately release the schoolgirls.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Let Mr. Erdogan Fight His Own Battles
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
May 2, 2014
Not long ago, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher in Pennsylvania, were the best of allies. Mr. Erdogan heads an Islamist government, and Mr. Gulen promotes a moderate, pro-Western brand of Sunni Islam that appeals to many well-educated and professional Turks. The two men had a common purpose in confronting and weakening the country’s once-dominant secular military and political leadership.
Monday, March 24, 2014
What happened to the 'Turkish model'?
Ramazan Kilinc
The only guarantee of a consolidated democracy in Turkey is the emergence of a new coalition to balance the increasing power of the government vis-à-vis society.
The only guarantee of a consolidated democracy in Turkey is the emergence of a new coalition to balance the increasing power of the government vis-à-vis society.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Corruption, Islamism, and Twitter in Turkey
Ahmet T. Kuru
Erdoğan has consolidated the executive, legislative, and the judicial powers under his authority; yet he has been unable to control another source of power— Twitter.
Erdoğan has consolidated the executive, legislative, and the judicial powers under his authority; yet he has been unable to control another source of power— Twitter.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Turkey needs a new constitution to save its democracy
By Fethullah Gulen
A small group in the executive is holding the country to ransom, says Fethullah Gulen
Trust and stability are fundamental to a nation’s development and to how the world perceives it. There is inherent trust in a democratic and accountable government that respects the rule of law. Turkey painstakingly built this trust over the past decade. Until recently it was seen as an example of a country that prospered while maintaining a democratic government run by observant Muslim leaders.
A small group in the executive is holding the country to ransom, says Fethullah Gulen
Trust and stability are fundamental to a nation’s development and to how the world perceives it. There is inherent trust in a democratic and accountable government that respects the rule of law. Turkey painstakingly built this trust over the past decade. Until recently it was seen as an example of a country that prospered while maintaining a democratic government run by observant Muslim leaders.
The rise and fall of Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan in three acts
By Turan Kayaoglu
Like a figure in a Greek tragedy, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has fallen from a Jefferson-could-be into a Putin-wannabe, all within the swift span of a year.
Like a figure in a Greek tragedy, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has fallen from a Jefferson-could-be into a Putin-wannabe, all within the swift span of a year.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The Muslim Martin Luther?
In a video posted on his Web site last December, the Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen called on God to curse Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gulen, who has lived in exile in the United States since 1999, declared in a sermon broadcast on Turkish television, “Those who don’t see the thief but go after those trying to catch the thief: may God bring fire to their houses, ruin their homes, break their unities.” This went far beyond the normally secular bounds of political debate in Turkey.
World Day of Social Justice - 20 February
"The gap between the poorest and the wealthiest around the world is wide and growing. ... We must do more to empower individuals through decent work, support people through social protection, and ensure the voices of the poor and marginalized are heard."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the 2014 World Day of Social Justice
Message for the 2014 World Day of Social Justice
Sunday, February 16, 2014
What happened to the Turkish model of passive secularism?
In 2006 I wrote an essay to refute the
depiction of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) as
anti-secular. The argument was based on the two types of secularism.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Fethullah Gulen’s interview with The Wall Street Journal in English
Joe Parkinson and Jay Solomon
1. The Prime Minister has repeatedly
attacked you and Hizmet in recent weeks. Do you believe that your
alliance with his faction of the AKP is now definitively at an end?
Thursday, January 9, 2014
As it happens:Turkey’s graft investigation and PM Erdoğan’s response
Kerim Balci
Last
updated Jan. 08, 2014 Turkey is passing through interesting
times. Very recently the country has been shaken by two corruption
investigations involving ministers from the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AK Party). The related investigations heralded the final parting of the
ways between two strong players in Turkey: the AK Party and the Hizmet movement
(a faith-inspired community affiliated with the now US-based Turkish cleric
Fethullah Gülen). Once allies against military tutelage and staunch secularist
elite control of power centers in the country, recent events and the Turkish
prime minister’s response demonstrate the differing views and positions of both
sides.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
A Conversation with Rev. Alexei R. Smith on Interfaith Dialogue
Alp Ataizi
As Pacifica Institute we have started a new interview series with prominent leaders of today's society. To launch the series, we sat down to enjoy an enlightening conversation with Rev. Alexei R. Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, to speak about interfaith dialogue. Rev. Smith is one of the very first interfaith activists on interfaith dialogue in the Los Angeles area and has paved the way in this meaningful cause.
As Pacifica Institute we have started a new interview series with prominent leaders of today's society. To launch the series, we sat down to enjoy an enlightening conversation with Rev. Alexei R. Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, to speak about interfaith dialogue. Rev. Smith is one of the very first interfaith activists on interfaith dialogue in the Los Angeles area and has paved the way in this meaningful cause.
Father
Alexei served as an elected member of the Council of Priests of the Archdiocese
of Los Angeles for six years, serving as Vice President of the Council and
Chair of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee for the last two years of his
service on the Council.
In November of 2000, Cardinal Roger Mahony appointed Father Alexei to a five year term as Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer of the Archdiocese, and reappointed him to a second five year term in July 2006.
In November of 2000, Cardinal Roger Mahony appointed Father Alexei to a five year term as Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer of the Archdiocese, and reappointed him to a second five year term in July 2006.
Father Alexei served as president of the
Interreligious Council of Southern California for five years and is the
recipient of numerous commendations and awards: in 2007 he was awarded the
prestigious Religious Leadership Award of the Valley Interfaith Council.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Turkey’s Struggle for Checks and Balances
Husain Haqqani
Prime Minister
Erdogan is blaming a corruption case on his political nemesis, but the reality
is that the government has been overstepping its democratic bounds.
Can Social Literature Compete with Social Media?
Commentary by Christopher John Farley
This morning, author Kate DiCamillo announced on her Facebook page that she will serve as the new national ambassador for young people’s literature. Her induction into the post, which is supported by the Library of Congress and other organizations, is scheduled for Jan. 10 in Washington, D.C.
This morning, author Kate DiCamillo announced on her Facebook page that she will serve as the new national ambassador for young people’s literature. Her induction into the post, which is supported by the Library of Congress and other organizations, is scheduled for Jan. 10 in Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
New Laws Coming to California in 2014
As the New Year approaches, there are several new laws about to be enacted in California -- from transgender students' rights and a minimum wage boost, to sharing the road with bicyclists and changes to tips at restaurants.
Here is a round up of some of the new edicts:
