Monday, February 27, 2012

Gulen-Inspired Schools

is article is related to Gulen Schools | Gulen Charter Schools | Gulen Inspired Schools.
Gulen-Inspired Schools; There is no consensus among writers on what to call the Gülen-inspired institutions; this is as true for American lawyers as it is for Turkish correspondents of all political colors. The use of terms like "Gülen schools" can arise from ignorance or disinformation. If the term "Gülen schools" is equated with, for example, Montessori schools (where a particular training and qualifications are required for personnel and a specific methodology is used), it leads to misunderstanding.

Gülen movement participants have their own perspectives on terms used for the movement and the social movement organizations (SMOs) it has inspired. However, many outsiders seem oblivious to these perspectives or choose to ignore them.

Because of its brevity, outsiders tend to use "Gülen schools" rather than "Gülen-inspired schools." But the shorter term seems to imply some sort of central control of activities and even an ideology, while the second makes it clearer that there is no centralization in the movement. Gülen movement participants tend to use the Turkish term hizmet (volunteer services) for the projects and services they provide. This is a solution for the inconsistency in naming the Gülen movement and the institutions it inspires and in clarifying their identity for outside observers.



MUHAMMED ÇETİN Today's Zaman

President Clinton thanks the Gülen Movement

This article is related to Gulen Schools | Gulen Charter Schools | Gulen Inspired Schools.
42nd U.S. President Clinton thanks the Gülen Movement for contributions to world peace and security

42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton's delivered his remarks at the 3rd Annual Friendship Dinner by Turkish Cultural Center.“In this interdependent world, the fates of people on opposite sides of the globe are increasingly linked; and it is critical to keep the lines of communication open as much as we can. That is why the communication between the Turkish-American community and the people of Turkey is so important. You are contributing to lasting peace and security at home and abroad; the promotion of the ideas of tolerance and interfaith dialogue inspired by Fethullah Gülen in his transnational social movement.


You do it through your everyday lives and you are truly strengthening the fabric of our common humanity, as well as promoting the ongoing cultural and educational ties that bind our world together. I want to thank you for your contributions to America, for your contributions to stronger Turkish-American relationships and better understanding.”




A Rosetta Stone for the so called Gulen Charter Schools

This article is related to Gulen Schools | Gulen Charter Schools | Gulen Inspired Schools.
May be they will get it if it is said in Latin: Illic Est Haud Talis Res Ut Gulen Pactum Schola! There is no such thing as a Gulen Charter School! Fethullah Gulen said it himself in several settings1. The so called Gulen Charter School administrators explained it many times. But they still don't get it, and probably won't get it no matter how many different languages it is translated into or how many different contexts it is articulated in. But let's give it another shot.

Quid est Carta Schola? What's a charter school anyway?

US Department of Education defines a charter school as "a publicly funded school that is typically governed by a group or organization under a legislative contract or charter with the state; the charter exempts the school from selected state or local rules and regulations. In return for funding and autonomy, the charter school must meet the accountability standards articulated in its charter.