I presume I am not the only person being puzzled by the so called coup attempt. Was it indeed a military coup attempt – or was it some kind of weird “happening” performance? A new trick or a bloody show staged by the Sorcerer's Apprentice himself? A proxy coup?
One name is occurring time and time again, megaphoned from the Erdoğan quarters as being the name of the great, vicious enemy of the democratic Turkish state: Fetullah Gülen, and his movement.
By the way, this almost feels like a flashback of the Chinese government's recurring accusations against the “Falun Gong” movement - those serene, introvert, meditating people, gathering in parks, fields and other open spaces, in silence and contemplation, making from time to time some soft yoga-like body movements. Those are, in the imagination of the Chinese government, adherents of a most wicked and subversive organization, posing a threat to the Chinese state, and are hence being persecuted, jailed, and possibly even worse, on a regular basis.
Well, then, who is that vicious man, called Fetullah Gülen? And what about his movement?
Muhammed Fetullah Gülen is a former Turkish imam, living since 1999 in exile in Pennsylvania, US. He is 75 years old, frail and of very poor health, having suffered for many years from diabetes, heart failure and other serious conditions. Once united in good friendship, Gülen and Erdoğan became fierce enemies as a result of two particular incidents: first, when Gülen criticized Erdoğan for not having consulted the Israeli government before the Turkish government's involvement in the Ship-to-Gaza expedition; and second, when Gülen started talking of corruption in high places – read: within Erdoğans inner circle.
From then onward, Gülen was branded a “state enemy” and a “terrorist” by Erdoğan, and Gülen found it necessary to seek asylum in the US, along with his movement. The Gülen Movement, also known as “Hizmet” (“Service”), was once endorsed by Erdoğan, back in the days of his and Gülen's friendship. But today, real or non-real, overt or clandestine sympathizers of Gülen and Hizmet are being chased, prosecuted, jailed or sacked in thousands all over Turkey, and Hizmet branded a “terrorist organization”.
The more you try to learn about Gülen and the Hizmet movement, the more you get the impression that through these the Erdoğan Turkey has indeed got its own Falun Gong – its own particular enemy phantom.
Gülen preaches and practices an Islam that is deeply rooted in its mystical traditions, contained in Sufism. It goes down to that depth of spirituality where all streams of true religion converge. Thus Gülen and Hizmet stand for not only tolerance and plurality but also for an active and positive interfaith dialogue.
“The school first – then the mosque” - that is a principle expressed in the thought of Fetullah Gülen. Educational enlightenment is of paramount importance, to Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. This implies both the learning of science and humanities and an openness toward cultural diversity. Islam as well as every other religion or world-view has its place within the framework of democracy.
Hizmet as an organization is involved in a broad scope of educational, charitable and medical projects worldwide, with schools established in no less than 140 countries.
If you, my revered reader, wish to learn more about this, please visit:
http://www.gulenmovement.us
Does all this look like “terrorism”?
Yes, of course it is all terrorism. And the reason is simple:
Anyone opposed to Mr Erdoğan, his regime, his thoughts and his world-view, whether it be an individual or an organization, is by definition – in the mind of this paranoid dictator – a terrorist.
And, for sure, the Apprentice has more tricks up his sleeve.