March 9, 2013

What kind of a change does Fethullah Gulen offer?

Fethullah Gülen offers his followers a Turkish renaissance. The caveat for this renaissance, however, is that it can only happen in a society, which has achieved peace and tranquility. Most people are attracted to the idea of civil law through consensus rather than imposing; ethics and morality based on acceptance, not forcing; and an understanding of solidarity, not based on favor but working hard, producing, and sharing; and the suggestion on top everything that the individual is responsible for the entire society as well as for himself. What is offered is not “a nation of the state,” but the idea of an [social] order and a nation based on the citizens’ partnership. (1)

TUSKON sees $30 mln in Morocco textile contracts

The recent visit by a Turkish business delegation to Morocco has seen companies secure textile deals worth $30 million, the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) has announced.

Discussion on Öcalan's comments

Emre Uslu

…what Öcalan said in the leaked minutes from the meeting is highly problematic for a number of reasons. For instance, there is an understanding that the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and Öcalan, under the guidance of Erdoğan, are preparing operations against the Gülen movement. Since the movement has given support to the negotiation process, there is no point in Öcalan targeting them unless he is being dictated to politically. Even people who are close to PKK networks are surprised that Öcalan has targeted this group. Whether it is true or not, once AKP supporters focus on the substance of what Öcalan said, it will seriously harm the AKP government, as the Gülen movement and supporters of the AKP have similar roots in the society.