Education remains an alarming concern for scores of Syrian refugees

With only 10 percent of the 2 million Syrian refugees in Turkey having been placed in refugee camps, problems involving finding food and shelter persists, but none more alarming than the education of children.

The topic of providing education to the Syrian refugee children was recently addressed by a meeting hosted by Kimse Yok Mu, the Journalist and Writers Foundation and the Peace Islands Institute (PII) in a panel held at the United Nations in New York.

Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2012, close to 3 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries; 2 million alone to Turkey.

The problem of education is prevalent in all countries hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees - including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq as well as Turkey - underlines Washington-based think tank RAND Corporation representative Shelly Culbertson.

She adds that finding school buildings and supplies remains a key concern but, even more alarming, children are being left in a situation that they have to help their parents instead of studying.

International Strategic Research Foundation (USAK) researcher Fatma Yılmaz Elmas warns that a whole generation of Syrian refugees are being raised on the streets. “Drug rings, arms dealers, terror groups are all in an effort to confiscate the children and it will not be surprising when a child who is living on the street, hungry and discarded by society will enter a world of crime.”

Secretary General of the Kimse Yok Mu non-profit Savaş Metin highlights that his organization has opened two schools, providing education to some 120 thousand students in Turkey. Kimse Yok Mu is also engaged in healthcare, food, rent and clothing drives, working together on 140 separate projects. In Turkey’s southeastern province of Kilis alone the non-profit grants food to 4,000 Syrian refugees on a daily basis.

Published on BGNNews, 28 June 2015, Sunday

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Dr. Sison: Fethullah Gülen is a pioneer of peace

Speaking at a conference held the Philippines' 400-year-old university, University of Santo Tomas, Dr. Lilian Sison, the Dean of International Relations Department of the University of Santo Tomas, indicated that Fethullah Gülen, a well-respected Turkish-Islamic scholar, is a pioneer of peace.

The introductory remarks of the conference, organized jointly by the Pacific Dialogue Foundation, the Journalists and Writers Foundation's (GYV) Intercultural Dialogue Platform (KADİP), and the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP), were made by Dr. Lilian Sison, who, touching on the dialogue activities spearheaded by various religious and civil society leaders, asserted that they act as pioneers of world peace. "Fethullah Gülen is one of the pioneers who take such steps," she said.

Reminding that the United Nations General Assembly has declared the first week of February as the "World Interfaith Harmony Week," Herminio V. Dagohoy, Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas, expressed his satisfaction for his university's hosting the conference "Toward Peace and Harmony in the Reality of Religious Pluralism" to coincide with this meaningful week.

The speakers at the conference included Prof. Dr. Niyazi Öktem, a lecturer at Fatih University, and Rev. Dr. Turgay Üçal, the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Moda, Istanbul, from Turkey, and Rabbi Reuven Firestone, the professor of Medieval Judaism and Islam, Dr. Sofia Pandya, a lecturer at California State University, Prof. Dr. Philip Clayton, a lecturer at the Claremont School of Theology, from the US, and Former Roman Catholic Church Philippines Archbishop Antonia Ledesma from the Philippines.

"Ignorance is the major obstacle to tolerance"

The first paper was presented by Professor Niyazi Öktem, who touched on concepts of tolerance, holy war (jihad) in Islam, and inter-religious dialogue. Noting that practitioners of diverse religions would come to realize a number of common points if they treat each other with tolerance, Professor Öktem indicated that 'ignorance' is the biggest obstacle to inter-religious rapprochement as people who are ignorant of the values of their own religions tend to nurture hostility against each other.

Öktem explained that holy war (jihad) is defined as a "self-defense" mechanism in the Holy Qur'an and true holy war is further depicted as the one against one carnal desires and uncontrolled ambitions.

He also relayed his observations about dialogue activities among diverse religious communities. Pointing out that the foundation of the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) under the leadership of Fethullah Gülen, a well-respected Turkish-Islamic scholar, has helped to institutionalize individualized dialogue-centric activities, Öktem stated that the GYV has taken the dialogue activities to the international scene in the next stage.

"I am the pastor of a church located in a neighborhood where hundreds of thousands of Muslims live"

Then, the floor went to Dr. Turgay Üçal, who remarked that they intermingle with hundreds of thousands of Muslim neighbors in Istanbul and they keep their church's door open without any security concern.

Üçal drew attention to the fact that Anatolia has been home to diverse religions, nations and cultures for centuries and this has made people of Anatolia open and tolerant to diversities.

Reminding Great Sufi poet Yunus Emre's advice, "Love creatures for the sake of their Creature" and the Torah's and the Gospel's commandment "Love your God from your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself," Üçal asserted that if this can be done, Prophet David's good tidings in the Psalms that the wolf and the lamb will live together in peace will be fulfilled.

The next speaker was Dr. Sofia Pandya, who made a presentation about the Hizmet movement. After other speakers made their presentations, they answered the questions from the audience.

"You go if they cannot come"

Cihangir Arslan, the head of the Pacific Dialogue Foundation, delivered the concluding remarks, thanking the GYV, KADİP and other partners for their contributions.

Arslan also briefly introduced the Pacific Dialogue Foundation, established in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, years ago to promote the ideal of peaceful coexistence. Referring to Rumi's call, "Come whoever you are as this is no door of despair," Arslan indicated that the Anatolia's openness to dialogue and tolerance had been laid down years ago.

Arslan asserted that Gülen always holds Rumi in high esteem and he has taken Rumi's call one step further. "Gülen advices us to go and help other people if they cannot come, and we act in accordance with his advice," he said.

The religious pluralism conference aroused heightened interest as about 300 people including politicians, academics, religious leaders, embassy staff and university students attended it.

Published on KADIP, 26 February 2015, Thursday

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Kimse Yok Mu provides fast breaking meal to orphan students in Kenya

International charity organization Kimse Yok Mu's Kenya chapter (KYK) gave fast breaking meal to orphans in eastern African country of Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi.

İftar was provided by KYK to the orphan students and their teachers of Noor Madrasah located in Kibera, one of the second biggest shanty neighborhoods in Nairobi. Ranging from 5 to 13 year-old a total of 50 orphan students receives education in Madrasah. 

A teacher who works in the Noor Madrasah stated that they are grateful to KYK for its iftar invitation. “We pray for them may gates of paradise to be opened to the relief workers of KYK,” added instructor. 

A relief worker, who coordinates the relief activities in the Kenya said that they provide iftar those who in need in different locations across Kenya. “In every each location we provide 100 and in total we provide fast braking meal for around 1200 or 1500 people across the country. Two of the locations where we supply iftar are orphanages. Sometimes also we supply Sahur meal. If we get more donations it means that we can help much more people. We would like to thank those who donated to Kenya,” noted relief worker. 

Describing the fast breaking meal as a pleasant, an orphan studying in the 5th grade, also thanked those who invite them to iftar.

“I hope Allah (God) will include the inviters to paradise,” student noted.

Published on Cihan, 10 July 2015, Friday

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Fethullah Gulen Statement on Nigeria Abductions

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/09/3087255/the-rise-and-fall-of-turkeys-prime.html#storylink=cpy

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The Muslim Martin Luther?

Fethullah Gulen Attempts an Islamic Reformation 

By Victor Gaetan

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.

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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

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What happened to the Turkish model of passive secularism?

Ahmet Kuru

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.

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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?

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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. 

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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. 

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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Turkish Armenian: I'd defend Turkey against our enemies as we did in the Battle of the Dardanelles

Cumali Önal

The chairman of the Association of Philanthropic Malatya Armenians (HAYDER), Hosrof Köletavitoğlu, is a typical Anatolian man. He defines himself as Anatolian in his heart, his mind and all his emotions. For him, a true Anatolian is a good citizen. He feels himself a stranger everywhere else, even in Armenia.

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Turkish Islamic scholar Gülen rejects any link to graft probe

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has rejected any link to an ongoing corruption probe in which 52 people, including well-known businessmen, the sons of three ministers, and a number of advisors, have been detained as part of a major investigation into alleged bribery linked to public tenders.

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