Every continent but Antarctica:
News articles and links for international Gulen schools
by C.A.S.I.L.I.P.S. - Citizens Against Special Interest Lobbying in Public Schools CASILIPS on Twitter, Slideshare
last updated June 8, 2013
This page contains links to, and some excerpts from, news articles about Gulen schools around the world. There are also links to other websites with information on these schools.
Afghanistan
May 6, 2012 "Newly reconstructed Afghan-Turk High School is inaugurated"
Albania
Oct 19, 2012 "In Albania, Madrasas Even the Secular Love" Ky Krauthamer
"Five of the country’s seven madrasas, a half-dozen secular private schools, and two universities in Albania are affiliated with a loose network of Turkish schools and businesses known as the Gulen movement, after its spiritual fountainhead, Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Turkish Sufi scholar. ... Uniquely in Albania, movement followers run Islamic as well as secular schools." [Note: in several countries, some "secular" Gulen schools are not actually secular; see this page.]
"Another attraction of the madrasas is economic. Students pay no fees, thanks to the support of the Sema Foundation. In contrast, tuition at secular Gulen schools is out of reach for most Albanian families."
The notdeleted blogger has collected information on the Gulen Movement's medreses in Albania (link).
Angola
Source: allafrica.com Jan 12, 2011 "Angola: Turkey Businesspeople Interested in Education Sector"
"A team of Turkish businesspeople is working to invest in Angola, in the sectors of education, meant to assist the government of the African country in the improvement of this area, ANGOP learnt on Wednesday. A proof of this collaboration is the implementation, two years ago, of the Colegio Esperanca International Project, that provides training from pre-school up to the 12th grade, says its director, Zezai Kara. According to the source, the college is a community project that deals with teaching quality, working towards students' intellectual capacity, and is implemented in over 150 countries of the world."
Benin
March 17, 2009 Le Pays Emergent
The article is about the "L’Ecole Internationale UFUK BENIN" (Horizon International School in Benin), created through Turkish-Beninese cooperation about 4 years earlier.
"La semaine dernière, il a été fait cas du probable retour au pays d’un professeur de nationalité turque qui est accusé par son directeur MURAT, l’employeur, d’avoir épousé une Africaine précisément une tchadienne." (The previous week it appeared that a teacher would probably have to return to Turkey as the director Murat accused him of marrying an African, specifically, a Chadian.) "Certains apprenants, eux-mêmes, selon les mêmes sources, se plaindraient du comportement pas trop orthodoxe de certains enseignants." (Some students themselves, according to the same sources, have complained of abnormal behavior of some teachers.)
last updated June 8, 2013
This page contains links to, and some excerpts from, news articles about Gulen schools around the world. There are also links to other websites with information on these schools.
Afghanistan
May 6, 2012 "Newly reconstructed Afghan-Turk High School is inaugurated"
Albania
Oct 19, 2012 "In Albania, Madrasas Even the Secular Love" Ky Krauthamer
"Five of the country’s seven madrasas, a half-dozen secular private schools, and two universities in Albania are affiliated with a loose network of Turkish schools and businesses known as the Gulen movement, after its spiritual fountainhead, Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Turkish Sufi scholar. ... Uniquely in Albania, movement followers run Islamic as well as secular schools." [Note: in several countries, some "secular" Gulen schools are not actually secular; see this page.]
"Another attraction of the madrasas is economic. Students pay no fees, thanks to the support of the Sema Foundation. In contrast, tuition at secular Gulen schools is out of reach for most Albanian families."
The notdeleted blogger has collected information on the Gulen Movement's medreses in Albania (link).
Angola
Source: allafrica.com Jan 12, 2011 "Angola: Turkey Businesspeople Interested in Education Sector"
"A team of Turkish businesspeople is working to invest in Angola, in the sectors of education, meant to assist the government of the African country in the improvement of this area, ANGOP learnt on Wednesday. A proof of this collaboration is the implementation, two years ago, of the Colegio Esperanca International Project, that provides training from pre-school up to the 12th grade, says its director, Zezai Kara. According to the source, the college is a community project that deals with teaching quality, working towards students' intellectual capacity, and is implemented in over 150 countries of the world."
Benin
March 17, 2009 Le Pays Emergent
The article is about the "L’Ecole Internationale UFUK BENIN" (Horizon International School in Benin), created through Turkish-Beninese cooperation about 4 years earlier.
"La semaine dernière, il a été fait cas du probable retour au pays d’un professeur de nationalité turque qui est accusé par son directeur MURAT, l’employeur, d’avoir épousé une Africaine précisément une tchadienne." (The previous week it appeared that a teacher would probably have to return to Turkey as the director Murat accused him of marrying an African, specifically, a Chadian.) "Certains apprenants, eux-mêmes, selon les mêmes sources, se plaindraient du comportement pas trop orthodoxe de certains enseignants." (Some students themselves, according to the same sources, have complained of abnormal behavior of some teachers.)
Denmark
Nov 22, 2012 [in Danish]
http://dinby.dk/lokalavisen-taastrup/islamistisk-skole-paa-vej-til-hoeje-taastrup
The Gulen Movement is attempting to found a new school in Høje-Taastrup. Sami Kücükakin, head of the already existing Fureso Privat school, is a would-be founder. He is also head of the Dialog Forum, a Gulenist organization. The article is a point-counterpoint by a parliamentary candidate, who is against the school, and the city's mayor, who is for it. Most interesting is how the mayor dismisses the Gulen connection as a "conspiracy theory."
Nov 13, 2012 [in Danish]
http://dinby.dk/lokalavisen-taastrup/tyrkisk-privatskole-venter-spaendt
This article is about the proposed Gulen ("Turkish") school in Høje-Taastrup. The would-be founders are waiting for permission to locate the school there. Sami Kucukakin, one of the founders, also helped found the Hay Skolen (another Gulen school) in Valby in 1993 and is now principal of the Furesø Privatskole (also a Gulen school) in Hillerød. The article makes no mention of the Gulen Movement, but notes that these schools cater mainly to students of Turkish extraction. The article contains quotes Kucukakin as saying "Some schools have problems, because they have many different nationalities," an astounding statement, given the Gulen Movement's oft-made claim that it promotes diversity. (Kucukakin's original quote in Danish is "Nogle folkeskoler har problemer, fordi de har mange forskellige nationaliteter.")
Nov 22, 2012 [in Danish]
http://dinby.dk/lokalavisen-taastrup/islamistisk-skole-paa-vej-til-hoeje-taastrup
The Gulen Movement is attempting to found a new school in Høje-Taastrup. Sami Kücükakin, head of the already existing Fureso Privat school, is a would-be founder. He is also head of the Dialog Forum, a Gulenist organization. The article is a point-counterpoint by a parliamentary candidate, who is against the school, and the city's mayor, who is for it. Most interesting is how the mayor dismisses the Gulen connection as a "conspiracy theory."
Nov 13, 2012 [in Danish]
http://dinby.dk/lokalavisen-taastrup/tyrkisk-privatskole-venter-spaendt
This article is about the proposed Gulen ("Turkish") school in Høje-Taastrup. The would-be founders are waiting for permission to locate the school there. Sami Kucukakin, one of the founders, also helped found the Hay Skolen (another Gulen school) in Valby in 1993 and is now principal of the Furesø Privatskole (also a Gulen school) in Hillerød. The article makes no mention of the Gulen Movement, but notes that these schools cater mainly to students of Turkish extraction. The article contains quotes Kucukakin as saying "Some schools have problems, because they have many different nationalities," an astounding statement, given the Gulen Movement's oft-made claim that it promotes diversity. (Kucukakin's original quote in Danish is "Nogle folkeskoler har problemer, fordi de har mange forskellige nationaliteter.")
Niger
Photos of Complexe Scolaire Bedir,Niamey,Niger photo 1; photo 2
Webpage for Complexe Scolaire Bedir,Niamey,Niger
Dec 28, 2007 "Les cantines scolaires, une alternative pour enfants" also in Sahel Dimanche
Facebook page for Complexe Scolaire Bédir (no content)
Photos of Complexe Scolaire Bedir,Niamey,Niger photo 1; photo 2
Webpage for Complexe Scolaire Bedir,Niamey,Niger
Dec 28, 2007 "Les cantines scolaires, une alternative pour enfants" also in Sahel Dimanche
Facebook page for Complexe Scolaire Bédir (no content)
Nigeria
People's Daily, Sep 7, 2012 "The Kano state Private Schools Task Force constituted by the state government has closed down the famous Nigerian/Turkish International Schools and 29 others for violating the rules and regulations governing the educational activities of the state. .... other reasons for the action include indiscriminate increase of school fees without following the approved processes and lack of well-stocked laboratories/libraries in case of secondary schools. Others are non-functional academic records, log book, register, visitors’ book, syllabus and scheme of work books among others."
See this page for Hasan Aydin's propaganda PhD dissertation on the Nigerian Turkish International Schools/Colleges.
People's Daily, Sep 7, 2012 "The Kano state Private Schools Task Force constituted by the state government has closed down the famous Nigerian/Turkish International Schools and 29 others for violating the rules and regulations governing the educational activities of the state. .... other reasons for the action include indiscriminate increase of school fees without following the approved processes and lack of well-stocked laboratories/libraries in case of secondary schools. Others are non-functional academic records, log book, register, visitors’ book, syllabus and scheme of work books among others."
See this page for Hasan Aydin's propaganda PhD dissertation on the Nigerian Turkish International Schools/Colleges.
Pakistan
The News (Pakistan) June 9, 2013: "The proposition made by Pak-Turk School to establish a school on the premises of the University of Karachi (KU) was rejected during a syndicate meeting on Saturday."
Express Tribune, Oct 8, 2011: "Pak-Turk initiative: Work starts on five-storey school building in H-8. ... CONSTRUCTION: 506 thousand square metres of land will be donated by the Hakas Group for an international university....Wheels set in motion for a university..."
Pakistan Observer, Oct 8, 2011: "The Chairman Pak Turk ICEF said the foundation would soon undertake project to set up a modern university in Pakistan to promote quality higher education."
reliefweb, Apr 6, 2006: "Pak-Turk Foundation has spent 30 million US dollars on various projects including reconstruction of 11 educational institutions..."
The News (Pakistan) June 9, 2013: "The proposition made by Pak-Turk School to establish a school on the premises of the University of Karachi (KU) was rejected during a syndicate meeting on Saturday."
Express Tribune, Oct 8, 2011: "Pak-Turk initiative: Work starts on five-storey school building in H-8. ... CONSTRUCTION: 506 thousand square metres of land will be donated by the Hakas Group for an international university....Wheels set in motion for a university..."
Pakistan Observer, Oct 8, 2011: "The Chairman Pak Turk ICEF said the foundation would soon undertake project to set up a modern university in Pakistan to promote quality higher education."
reliefweb, Apr 6, 2006: "Pak-Turk Foundation has spent 30 million US dollars on various projects including reconstruction of 11 educational institutions..."
Russia
Mustafa Gokhan Sahin, doctoral dissertation, "Turkey and Neo-Ottomanism: Domesntic sources, dynamics and foreign policy," Florida International University, 2010
"At times the activities of the movement was considered too pro–American, and schools run by Gulen community both in Russia and Uzbekistan were closed by the state in late 2000....The school closures in Russia were temporary while in Uzbekistan Gulen community’s schools closed permanently."
Татарско-турецкий экономический лицей N7, г. Казань = Tatar-Turkish Economic High School No. 7, Kazan. Some sources say this school was closed; however, it may be that only some Turkish staff were forced by the government to leave.
Tatar-Turkish Economic High School website gives photo of building and director. Gives email address as ekonomilisesi@usa.net Physical address: Адрес: 420126, г. Казань, ул.Четаева 37а. Shows characteristic list of "Olympiad" medals for 1997-1999, suggesting that this site was abandoned after 1999.
Mar 27, 2012 "The Turks left, but the school remains" ("Турки ушли, но лицеи остались") About Tatar-Turkish Boarding High School #2. It is unclear whether this school is still run by non-Turkish members of the Gulen Movement. Article says Turkish teachers were forced by the Russian government to leave in 2008, but the school continued and is now 20 years old. There were/are other similar schools in Tatarstan. On Feb 2, 2012 this school received an appreciation award from Russian President Dmitri Medvedyev.
Mustafa Gokhan Sahin, doctoral dissertation, "Turkey and Neo-Ottomanism: Domesntic sources, dynamics and foreign policy," Florida International University, 2010
"At times the activities of the movement was considered too pro–American, and schools run by Gulen community both in Russia and Uzbekistan were closed by the state in late 2000....The school closures in Russia were temporary while in Uzbekistan Gulen community’s schools closed permanently."
Татарско-турецкий экономический лицей N7, г. Казань = Tatar-Turkish Economic High School No. 7, Kazan. Some sources say this school was closed; however, it may be that only some Turkish staff were forced by the government to leave.
Tatar-Turkish Economic High School website gives photo of building and director. Gives email address as ekonomilisesi@usa.net Physical address: Адрес: 420126, г. Казань, ул.Четаева 37а. Shows characteristic list of "Olympiad" medals for 1997-1999, suggesting that this site was abandoned after 1999.
Mar 27, 2012 "The Turks left, but the school remains" ("Турки ушли, но лицеи остались") About Tatar-Turkish Boarding High School #2. It is unclear whether this school is still run by non-Turkish members of the Gulen Movement. Article says Turkish teachers were forced by the Russian government to leave in 2008, but the school continued and is now 20 years old. There were/are other similar schools in Tatarstan. On Feb 2, 2012 this school received an appreciation award from Russian President Dmitri Medvedyev.
Rwanda
http://allafrica.com/stories/201208170105.html
"Hope Kids Academy, an international Turkish school, has opened its branch in the country under a Rwandan-Turkish framework."
http://allafrica.com/stories/201208170105.html
"Hope Kids Academy, an international Turkish school, has opened its branch in the country under a Rwandan-Turkish framework."
South Africa
Oct 31, 2010, Sunday Times, South Africa
The southern hemisphere's largest mosque is rising up in Midrand, Gauteng. Scheduled for completion in January 2012, it will incorporate the Sama (meaning heaven in Arabic) High School, student boarding facilities, ... The venture is the brainchild of Ali Katircioglu, 72, better known as "Uncle Ali", a Turkish businessman who is funding and managing the project. Katircioglu, who is inspired by the teachings of his long-time friend Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher, author and educator, was advised by his friend to develop the project in "Madiba's home". Once completed, it will be handed over to the Fountain Education Trust, an Islamic non-profit organisation...The school will accommodate 800 pupils."
Oct 3, 2012 "Southern hemisphere's largest mosque to be opened in SA"
"The 75-year old Turkish national had dreamt of building a place of prayer in the US but ended up creating the Turkish delight in Africa....The mosque is surrounded by a community complex, which includes a SAMA school (a private school centered on an Islamic ethos), boarding facilities, shopping complex, and a clinic..."
Oct 31, 2010, Sunday Times, South Africa
The southern hemisphere's largest mosque is rising up in Midrand, Gauteng. Scheduled for completion in January 2012, it will incorporate the Sama (meaning heaven in Arabic) High School, student boarding facilities, ... The venture is the brainchild of Ali Katircioglu, 72, better known as "Uncle Ali", a Turkish businessman who is funding and managing the project. Katircioglu, who is inspired by the teachings of his long-time friend Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher, author and educator, was advised by his friend to develop the project in "Madiba's home". Once completed, it will be handed over to the Fountain Education Trust, an Islamic non-profit organisation...The school will accommodate 800 pupils."
Oct 3, 2012 "Southern hemisphere's largest mosque to be opened in SA"
"The 75-year old Turkish national had dreamt of building a place of prayer in the US but ended up creating the Turkish delight in Africa....The mosque is surrounded by a community complex, which includes a SAMA school (a private school centered on an Islamic ethos), boarding facilities, shopping complex, and a clinic..."
Sudan
May 2, 2011 "Kimse Yok Mu to build 4 schools in Sudan" Today's Zaman
May 9, 2011 "Education complex foundation has been laid in Sudan"
March 19, 2012 "A new flower is blooming in Darfur; 240 students will study in their new school" "Sponsored by a businessman, Tahsin Tekoglu, a new school is being built and when it is finished it will be a source of hope for Darfur students....In December 2010, KYM laid the foundation for a school which would have a capacity for 240 students. The schools construction has almost been finished and the name "Emine Anne" has been given to it."
May 2, 2011 "Kimse Yok Mu to build 4 schools in Sudan" Today's Zaman
May 9, 2011 "Education complex foundation has been laid in Sudan"
March 19, 2012 "A new flower is blooming in Darfur; 240 students will study in their new school" "Sponsored by a businessman, Tahsin Tekoglu, a new school is being built and when it is finished it will be a source of hope for Darfur students....In December 2010, KYM laid the foundation for a school which would have a capacity for 240 students. The schools construction has almost been finished and the name "Emine Anne" has been given to it."