Alaton highlights the positive impacts of Gulen schools in Africa

Turkey has begun to take a serious interest in Africa since the mid-2000s, placing Africa within its multi-dimensional and dynamic foreign policy doctrine to diversify economic and political ties. Having gained observer status in the African Union in 2005, Turkey has been acting as a voice for Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at international platforms such as the G20 and Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Ishak Alaton, a prominent Turkish businessman and South Africa’s honourary consul in Istanbul, said “in parallel with the political emergence of Turkey in the continent, the initiatives of civil society, mainly Fethullah Gulen schools, increased the visibility of Turkey by teaching Turkish to African students and drawing a positive image about Turkey. This affective background formed by Gulen schools empowered the networks of Turkish businessmen when visiting African countries.”  in an interview that he gave to SES Turkiye. Read rest of the story

African Union president demands more Turkish schools

The Gulen Movement’s (Hizmet’s) activities globally continue to gain the support of locals – both at a grass roots level and from officials. The below article highlights the positive impression the schools have left in the hearts and minds of the African people. So much so that the African Union President has requested more school projects in the continents.

African Union President and Equatorial Guinea Foreign Minister Eustaquio Nseng Esono, speaking to Today’s Zaman on Sunday, said he would like to see the number of Turkish schools on the African continent rise…..Expressing their satisfaction regarding these Turkish schools, Esono said, “These Turkish schools should be established in all provinces in all African countries; the current number of schools doesn’t satisfy us at all.” Read rest of the story

Somali education minister praises opening of Turkish School

The Somali Education Minister expressed his happiness at the opening of the first Turkish high school in Somalia. “It has been wonderful — the students and parents are very happy to have access to quality education,” Somali Education Minister Ahmet Aidid Ibrahim shared in an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman.

Somali students filled the classrooms of the famine-stricken country’s first Turkish high school, which the Turkish charity the Nile Organization established in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Ibrahim noted that “cities other than Mogadishu are also seeking to have similar Turkish schools.” Read rest of the story

Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar: We are happy with Gulen Schools and we also want a university

Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar made her first foreign trip to Turkey where she met with Turkish politicians, officials and media representatives. When she was asked why she made her first visit to Turkey she explained: ‘After an earthquake I visited disaster hit area. There were many tents which provided healthcare for victims organized by foreign groups from Europe and Asia. I was surprised to see that lines to some of tents were enormous, while lines to others consisted of two-three people. When I asked why that is, people told me, everyone wants to get help from Turkish tents. Pakistani people trust Turks more than anyone else.’ She told that they have a number of Gulen inspired schools in the country and that Pakistani people are very happy about them because of their high quality education. She expressed her desire to have one Gulen inspired university established in Pakistan too. Read rest of the story

Afghan leaders want the number of Turkish schools to increase

More than 120 religious leaders and diplomats from various Islamic countries attended the three-day conference to discuss the problems facing Afghanistan. The conference, organized by Marmara University’s Middle East Research Institute, brought together different sectarian groups for the first time to discuss the future of the region. Afghan Peace Unit Program Coordinator Amanullah Ludin said the establishment of Turkish schools in the region has played an important role in preventing the deterioration of the country. Ludin, who found the teachings of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen on the Internet one day while researching Turkish Islamic thinkers, said: “It is important to us to shed light on Turkish religious scholars. By taking advantage of their expertise, we can be saved from our current impasse.” Read rest of the story

Turkish schools a role model in Pakistan

Pakistan’s 34 year old Foreign Minister has heaped praise on Turkey, and in particular the NGO based organizations in Pakistan who are inspired by Fethullah Gulen that have accomplished great success through the numerous schools…

Holding Turkish schools in Pakistan in high regard, Khar stated that they play an important role in the country as she expressed hope for an increase in the number of Turkish schools in an interview with Today’s Zaman on Thursday.

“I hope for the establishment of a Turkish university in Pakistan, I have conveyed wish this to Davutoğlu as well,” Khar stated. “Davutoglu made a note of my suggestion for a Turkish university, which I think will be a fitting symbol [of the strength of ties between the countries].” Read rest of the story

Teachers of Soul and Mind

As the information age we live in today matures, society’s expectations from schoolteachers change as well. On the one hand, school administrators expect educators to be more progressive and modern. On the other hand, many parents would like teachers to pay greater attention to moral and ethical education at schools. Students’ own vision of an ideal teacher also transforms. What is new and what is not in the sacred profession of teaching, and what should we expect from modern educators in the future? I invite you to join me for a journey into a world of Gulen Inspired Schools, where all, students, parents, teachers, and administrators, despite the challenges of the contemporary world, learn to share the love and respect for both mind and the soul. Read rest of the story

Gulen-Inspired Schools Promote Learning and Service

Two well respected academics, Dr. Jon Pahl ofThe Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and Dr. John Raines of Temple University, have penned in an article in response to a piece published in Philadelphia Inquirer a while ago. Unlike the superficial Inquirer article, that poured unfounded allegations against M. Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet movement he inspired, academics’ piece provides a comprehensive understanding about the topic. “These schools have consistently promoted good learning and citizenship, and the Hizmet movement is to date an evidently admirable civil society organization to build bridges between religious communities and to provide direct service on behalf of the common good” state Dr. Pahl and Dr. Raines and argue “a little research by journalists, and readers, will lead to a more nuanced appreciation of this complex and fascinating global movement”.

Please see below the rest of the very well put article. It deserves perusal. Read rest of the story

Keith Ellison praised Gulen inspired schools

During his recent visit to Turkey, Cong. Keith Ellison, (D-MN) spoke highly about Gulen inspired schools in US. Praising their approach to education, Ellison stressed schools’ contribution to dialogue. Congressman also talked about the increasing visibility of Turkish community in US and proudly mentioned that he has close contact with Turkish-Americans.

Although there are only half a dozen schools in US founded by those who were inspired by Gulen’s ideas, each school has its success stories. Students of Virginia’s Pinnacle Academy, for instance, ranked first at the Future City Competition in only the second year of the school. The championship paved winning students’ way to White House for a meeting with the President. Read rest of the story

Officials of Ethiopian-Turkish schools pay visit to PM of Ethiopia.

Necasi Turkish schools are educational establishments representing Hizmet movement aka Gulen Movement.  They have been successfully providing education to Ethiopian children in Addis Ababa for about seven years. With their high-quality and innovative approach to education, they are among Africa’s best educational establishments. Moreover, these schools like all other Turkish schools around the world provide not only good education but also promote peace and understanding among people of different cultures. The activity of Turkish schools is highly appreciated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Asres. During the meeting with Necaşi College officials he expressed gratitude to educational board of Ethiopian Turkish schools and admitted that he was “all for dialogue”. Read rest of the story