ISSUE FOR US: FIRST: CHARTER SCHOOLS & CULTURAL OUTREACH IN THE US AS IN UK NEXT: SHARIAH LAW IN THE US AS IN UK? |
In Minnesota, the
local ACLU chapter
sued Tarek ibn Ziyad
Academy (TIZA) for
using public funds
for religious
purposes.
The lawsuit also names the
Minnesota Department of
Education for "failure to
provide adequate oversight."
Charles Samuelson, executive
director of the Minnesota
ACLU, said it was only after
the ACLU discovered TIZA
leases its campuses from the
Muslim American Society and
a mosque that the civil rights
organization got involved.
local ACLU chapter
sued Tarek ibn Ziyad
Academy (TIZA) for
using public funds
for religious
purposes.
The lawsuit also names the
Minnesota Department of
Education for "failure to
provide adequate oversight."
Charles Samuelson, executive
director of the Minnesota
ACLU, said it was only after
the ACLU discovered TIZA
leases its campuses from the
Muslim American Society and
a mosque that the civil rights
organization got involved.
| UTAH |
| MINNESOTA |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
| H o w w e t a k e b a c k o u r c h i l d r e n ' s e d u c a t i o n : o n e p e r s o n , o n e q u e s t i o n , o n e s c h o o l a t a t i m e . |
| Commentary - Gulen in America (Please also visit Cosmos Turkish charters) |
| OPERATOR: US charter schools founder of "a secretive foreign network of Islamic radicals now operates dozens of charter schools — which receive government money but are not required to adopt a state-approved curriculum — on U.S. soil. The inspirer of this conspiratorial effort is Fethullah Gülen, who directs a major Islamist movement in Turkey and the Turkish diaspora." |
| ADVOCATE: Turkish Islamic state 1999: Charged in absentia in Turkey with attempting to create an Islamic state— anathema under Turkey's secularist constitution. |
| Country: Turkey Date of Birth: 27 April 1941 Source of Influence: Scholarly Influence: Figure of spiritual and social leadership for millions of Turkish Muslims and others around the world School of Thought: Traditional Sunni. (SOURCE--www.rissc.jo/docs/1N-WithCovers%28lowres%29.pdf) |
Fethullah Gülen is a preacher,
thinker and educator, who having
assumed the leadership of the
Nurcu religious movement—
started by Said Nursî (1878-1960
CE)—has gone on to become a
global phenomenon in his own
right. His popularity andauthority in
Turkey has been the driving force
of the movement that is widely
thought to have brought about the
social and eventually political
changes of which politician Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has been the
ultimate heir—that is the
enfranchisement of Muslim
politics in Turkey.
Gulen the
community organizer
Despite his peaceful means of
preaching and community
organization, Gülen is hated by the
secularist establishment in Turkey
and has been living in the US
since 1999.
Humanitarian reformer Gülen
and his followers have devoted
considerable energy in recent
years on interreligious dialogue
with tens of interfaith centers in
Europe and the US being opened
to foster better relations across
faiths. He also is the head of a
series of socially oriented
philanthropic efforts. His teaching
underscores that there are no
material shortages in the world,
and that there is no justification for
starvation. He has established
many charities to distribute wealth
to the needy.
Catalyst for educational change
When he began preaching in
Izmir—in his youth—a network of
pupils began to unite around his
teachings—as a 'social
movement' inspired by Gülen's
example. This movement has
culminated in the development of
around 300 schools in Turkey
and hundreds more worldwide.
Graduates from these private
schools around the world are
coached in ethics
and philosophy that are inspired
by his teachings, and continue to
take top honors in university
placement tests.
Influence in the media
The movement has opened
hospitals and charities, but also a
TV and radio station, as well
as a bank—Asya Finans—that
operates on Islamic principles.
Gülen also has two major mass-
circulation daily Turkish
newspapers that are affiliated with
his movement: ‘Zaman’ and the
English-language ‘Today's
Zaman’.
Journalists & teachers
foundations
The network has also initiated a
Journalists and Writers
Foundation and a Teachers
Foundation—providing an
umbrella organization for a host
of dialogue groups and charitable
organizations.
Thinker
Gülen is one of the most
important thinkers and writers
from Turkey, and among the most
effective activists in twentieth-
century Turkey. The Gülen
movement is one of the best
connected and therefore most
powerful of the networks that are
competing to
influence Muslims around the
globe, making it likely to have an
enduring impact on the
modernization of Islam and its
engagement with Western ideas.
(SOURCE--______________ )
thinker and educator, who having
assumed the leadership of the
Nurcu religious movement—
started by Said Nursî (1878-1960
CE)—has gone on to become a
global phenomenon in his own
right. His popularity andauthority in
Turkey has been the driving force
of the movement that is widely
thought to have brought about the
social and eventually political
changes of which politician Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has been the
ultimate heir—that is the
enfranchisement of Muslim
politics in Turkey.
Gulen the
community organizer
Despite his peaceful means of
preaching and community
organization, Gülen is hated by the
secularist establishment in Turkey
and has been living in the US
since 1999.
Humanitarian reformer Gülen
and his followers have devoted
considerable energy in recent
years on interreligious dialogue
with tens of interfaith centers in
Europe and the US being opened
to foster better relations across
faiths. He also is the head of a
series of socially oriented
philanthropic efforts. His teaching
underscores that there are no
material shortages in the world,
and that there is no justification for
starvation. He has established
many charities to distribute wealth
to the needy.
Catalyst for educational change
When he began preaching in
Izmir—in his youth—a network of
pupils began to unite around his
teachings—as a 'social
movement' inspired by Gülen's
example. This movement has
culminated in the development of
around 300 schools in Turkey
and hundreds more worldwide.
Graduates from these private
schools around the world are
coached in ethics
and philosophy that are inspired
by his teachings, and continue to
take top honors in university
placement tests.
Influence in the media
The movement has opened
hospitals and charities, but also a
TV and radio station, as well
as a bank—Asya Finans—that
operates on Islamic principles.
Gülen also has two major mass-
circulation daily Turkish
newspapers that are affiliated with
his movement: ‘Zaman’ and the
English-language ‘Today's
Zaman’.
Journalists & teachers
foundations
The network has also initiated a
Journalists and Writers
Foundation and a Teachers
Foundation—providing an
umbrella organization for a host
of dialogue groups and charitable
organizations.
Thinker
Gülen is one of the most
important thinkers and writers
from Turkey, and among the most
effective activists in twentieth-
century Turkey. The Gülen
movement is one of the best
connected and therefore most
powerful of the networks that are
competing to
influence Muslims around the
globe, making it likely to have an
enduring impact on the
modernization of Islam and its
engagement with Western ideas.
(SOURCE--______________ )
Turkish Muslim Preacher |
| Ranks 13th on list of world's "500 most influential Muslims" (SOURCE--Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre/Amman, Jordan) |
| Hodjaefendi Fethullah Gulen |
What is "A Common Word"? It is "a careful selection of essential quotations from Christian and Muslim (and Jewish) scriptures or scared texts. Moreover, the document was thoroughly checked and approved by a group of senior Ulama including Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa of Egypt, Sheikh AbdAllah bin Bayyah of Mauritania, Sheikh Sa‘id Ramadan al-Buti of Syria, Grand Mufti Mustafa Ceric of Bosnia, Habib Umar bin Hafith of the Yemen, Ayatollah Damad, T.J.Winter and Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr." Who is the author of "A Common Word"? H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan is the author of the document, "A Common Word" asserts that Christianity and Islam are the same. Is this true? Are they? Laurence R. O’Donnell, III (Calvin Theological Seminary) says no; read his Reflections on Epistemological and Ethical Normativity within a Current Christian-Muslim Dialog, then decide for yourself. |
| ADVOCATE: DECEPTION: An advocate of taqiyya (employing deception to advance Islam). (SOURCE) |
| Dalia Mogahed (above), a member of President Barack Obama's Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, late in 2009 defended Shariah by claiming that her global polling, through the Gallup Organization, showed "the majority of women around the world associate sharia with 'gender justice.'" Presumably, her reference to "the majority of women" (as opposed to Muslim women) was a slip of the tongue. But there is no doubt that in her perspective, Shariah as public law guarantees Muslim women a dignity absent in the West. (SOURCE) |
| Dalia Mogahed, Esposito’s co- author, says, “A billion Muslims should be the ones that we look to, to understand what they believe, rather than a vocal minority.” How right she is. We need to find out from one billion rational human beings why they largely refuse to stand up for humanity and dignity instead of cowering in the face of fascist thugs. They’re the only Westerners this study challenges. (SOURCE) |
| Who is Fethullah Gulen -- really ? And why are he & the Cosmos Foundation in the U.S.? |
EBRU TV
"Lifestyle and Culture
Programming"
the 24-Hour Multi-Cultural
Family Channel
Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:22pm EDT
EBRU TV, the 24-Hour Multi-
Cultural Family Channel,
Joins RCN in Their
Signature Digital Cable Tier
Programming
Available in RCN’s New
York City, Boston, Chicago,
Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley
and Washington, D.C.
Markets on Channel 53
SOMERSET, N.J., July 31
/PRNewswire/ — EBRU TV
will be bringing its award-
winning family oriented
lifestyle and culture
programming to RCN on
July
31, 2009.
Headquartered in
Somerset, NJ, EBRU TV has
been broadcasting
nationwide 24/7 in English
since November 2006. EBRU
TV prides itself with being
the first channel geared
toward a multicultural
audience, representing the
diversity of people that
make up the United States.
With the addition of EBRU TV
to RCN’s basic cable line-up,
RCN has managed to tap
into the third largest
multicultural community,
American viewers with
Eurasian backgrounds.
“We are excited about our
partnership with RCN; we at
EBRU TV believe that a
network like ours will be an
invaluable asset to RCN’s
channel line-up, providing a
unique, rich array of
programming for the
culturally diverse
American audiences. EBRU
TV will continue its
commitment to family
friendly programming for
all viewers who want to be
entertained, educated, and
inspired by other cultures,”
said EBRU TV President &
CEO, Adem Kalac.
EBRU TV has set an
ambitious goal of
broadcasting in full HD by
the end of 2009 and expand
its reach through other
major operators; a goal that
will surely put a smile on
the faces of EBRU TV’s loyal
and diverse followers.
ABOUT EBRU TV
EBRU TV is a new face in
broadcast television. The
24-hour channel’s
commitment to original
programming promises
rapid growth into new
television markets
including cable television,
IP TV, and additional
satellite carriers. From
news to science, to its
documentaries and
children’s programming,
EBRU TV offers a wide
range of entertaining
shows for today’s families.
For more information on
EBRU TV, visit: http://www.
ebru.tv or call 732.560.0800.
ABOUT RCN CORPORATION
RCN is a competitive
broadband services
provider delivering all-
digital and high definition
video, high-speed internet
and premium voice
services to residential and
small-medium business
customers under the brand
names of RCN and RCN
Business Services,
respectively. RCN’s primary
service areas include
Washington, D.C.,
Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley
(PA), New York City, Boston
and Chicago.
Contact: Jon Omural
VP, Business Development
& HR
Tel: (732) 560 – 0800 Xt. 231
Email: jon@ebru.tv
SOURCE EBRU TV
Jon Omural, VP, Business
Development & HR, +1-732-
560-0800, ext. 231,
jon@ebru.tv
"Lifestyle and Culture
Programming"
the 24-Hour Multi-Cultural
Family Channel
Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:22pm EDT
EBRU TV, the 24-Hour Multi-
Cultural Family Channel,
Joins RCN in Their
Signature Digital Cable Tier
Programming
Available in RCN’s New
York City, Boston, Chicago,
Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley
and Washington, D.C.
Markets on Channel 53
SOMERSET, N.J., July 31
/PRNewswire/ — EBRU TV
will be bringing its award-
winning family oriented
lifestyle and culture
programming to RCN on
July
31, 2009.
Headquartered in
Somerset, NJ, EBRU TV has
been broadcasting
nationwide 24/7 in English
since November 2006. EBRU
TV prides itself with being
the first channel geared
toward a multicultural
audience, representing the
diversity of people that
make up the United States.
With the addition of EBRU TV
to RCN’s basic cable line-up,
RCN has managed to tap
into the third largest
multicultural community,
American viewers with
Eurasian backgrounds.
“We are excited about our
partnership with RCN; we at
EBRU TV believe that a
network like ours will be an
invaluable asset to RCN’s
channel line-up, providing a
unique, rich array of
programming for the
culturally diverse
American audiences. EBRU
TV will continue its
commitment to family
friendly programming for
all viewers who want to be
entertained, educated, and
inspired by other cultures,”
said EBRU TV President &
CEO, Adem Kalac.
EBRU TV has set an
ambitious goal of
broadcasting in full HD by
the end of 2009 and expand
its reach through other
major operators; a goal that
will surely put a smile on
the faces of EBRU TV’s loyal
and diverse followers.
ABOUT EBRU TV
EBRU TV is a new face in
broadcast television. The
24-hour channel’s
commitment to original
programming promises
rapid growth into new
television markets
including cable television,
IP TV, and additional
satellite carriers. From
news to science, to its
documentaries and
children’s programming,
EBRU TV offers a wide
range of entertaining
shows for today’s families.
For more information on
EBRU TV, visit: http://www.
ebru.tv or call 732.560.0800.
ABOUT RCN CORPORATION
RCN is a competitive
broadband services
provider delivering all-
digital and high definition
video, high-speed internet
and premium voice
services to residential and
small-medium business
customers under the brand
names of RCN and RCN
Business Services,
respectively. RCN’s primary
service areas include
Washington, D.C.,
Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley
(PA), New York City, Boston
and Chicago.
Contact: Jon Omural
VP, Business Development
& HR
Tel: (732) 560 – 0800 Xt. 231
Email: jon@ebru.tv
SOURCE EBRU TV
Jon Omural, VP, Business
Development & HR, +1-732-
560-0800, ext. 231,
jon@ebru.tv
County Takes Over
Charter School
Police Remove Director
From Hanover Campus
By Daniel de Vise
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 30, 2006
A charter school in Hanover has
effectively ceased to exist as an
independent entity following the
removal of its director earlier this
month by police at the request of
the Anne Arundel school board.
Public school officials closed the
Chesapeake Science Point
Public Charter School on
Monday. The campus reopened
Tuesday with a new bell
schedule, three new teachers
and a changed lesson plan. Two
administrators imported by the
school system are running the
school, and its founders say they
have been shut out.
An investigative report on the
ouster of Jon Omural, the school’
s director, is due to be made
public at week’s end and may
help settle the issue of whether
the school board’s actions were
justified.
In a news briefing Tuesday,
Superintendent Nancy Mann and
School Board President Konrad
Wayson said intervention was
necessary to correct mounting
problems at the privately run
public school. Their investigation
began with a union grievance
and uncovered evidence, they
said, of teacher harassment,
seesawing class sizes, spotty
attendance by students and
teachers, and unkempt facilities.
“We had some teachers who
didn’t understand that they had
to be there the entire day,” said
Ken Nichols, acting deputy
superintendent of schools. “The
part-time teacher was teaching
more hours than some of the full-
time teachers.”
The unrest at Chesapeake sets
back the struggling charter
education movement in
Maryland. Charter schools have
been slow to spread in the state;
a dozen of them have opened in
Baltimore, two in Anne Arundel
and one in Frederick County.
Many of them have squabbled
with the school boards that
granted their charters, including
the Knowledge Is Power
Program, an established,
successful charter-school
network that opened near
Annapolis last fall.
Chesapeake’s founders allege,
among other things, that the
Anne Arundel school board has
played favorites with KIPP,
whose middle-grades operation
has been allowed to function
without interruption. Mann, the
superintendent, contends that
KIPP’s experienced leaders
“knew what to do” and dealt with
a handful of start-up problems
“immediately.”
Founders of the Hanover school
contend the school system has
been against them from the
beginning. They say that the
complaints against Omural are
petty, and that the remaining
concerns were trumped up to
justify a hostile takeover.
“We don’t have anyone in the
school as of today,” said Al
Aksakalli, a member of the
charter school’s board. “If they
want to make this work, they
have to let us in.”
At the root of the dispute,
sources said, is a clash of
cultures and genders among the
school staff.
Chesapeake was founded by a
group that included several
Turkish-American scholars,
some of them professors at
local universities. The director
and four teachers were Turkish-
American men, while the
instructional leader and three
remaining teachers were native-
born American women.
The three female teachers filed
a grievance two months ago with
the county teachers union,
alleging mistreatment by
Omural. They said Omural
allegedly retaliated against
them. Among other things, the
teachers accused Omural of
denying them access to the
Internet and of treating them as if
they were of an inferior sex.
Kisha Webster, the dean of
students, said Omural narrowed
her duties after she spoke out at
a meeting of the charter school’s
board. School leaders deny that.
Webster abruptly resigned in
February, telling students in
hand-delivered letters that she
had “no trust and definitely no
respect” for Omural and
describing him as “inept.” On
March 3, representatives of the
teachers union met with school
system officials and described
deep “relationship problems”
between the director and the
female teachers. “The picture
that was painted was fairly vivid,”
Nichols said.
On March 6, three police cars
arrived at the Hanover campus
to relieve Omural of command.
The school board imported a
retired educator as acting
principal. A subsequent
investigation found teachers
being assigned too many
students, working erratic hours
or assigned administrative
duties, Nichols said. The rented
classroom space allegedly
required three days of cleaning
because it was so dirty, he said.
“The only thing they did was buff
the floors,” Aksakalli said.
The three teachers who filed the
grievance were replaced. They
were “insistent that they no
longer be at the school,” Nichols
said.
Founders of the charter school
say the case against them
doesn’t amount to much. They
consider the allegations against
the Turkish-American leadership
by the non-Turkish teachers
trivial at best, prejudiced at
worst. They point out that most of
the parents remain loyal, even
after the disruptions of recent
weeks. Eleven students have
withdrawn since Omural’s
removal, leaving enrollment at
108 at the middle school.
Aksakalli says the school still
has a waiting list. A handful of
parents have complained to the
school board; board members
concur that most seem satisfied
with the academic program.
School founders say the school
system used the union
grievance as a pretext to
dismantle the school,
essentially locking out its
independent board, canceling
after-school activities and clubs
and installing a new class
schedule that more closely
resembles that of a standard
middle school.
“We’ve asked for a meeting at
least 15 times in the last two
weeks. They’re not giving us an
appointment,” Aksakalli said.
“They’re not telling us what the
charges against Jon [Omural]
are. We don’t have a list; we
don’t have anything.”
Charter School
Police Remove Director
From Hanover Campus
By Daniel de Vise
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 30, 2006
A charter school in Hanover has
effectively ceased to exist as an
independent entity following the
removal of its director earlier this
month by police at the request of
the Anne Arundel school board.
Public school officials closed the
Chesapeake Science Point
Public Charter School on
Monday. The campus reopened
Tuesday with a new bell
schedule, three new teachers
and a changed lesson plan. Two
administrators imported by the
school system are running the
school, and its founders say they
have been shut out.
An investigative report on the
ouster of Jon Omural, the school’
s director, is due to be made
public at week’s end and may
help settle the issue of whether
the school board’s actions were
justified.
In a news briefing Tuesday,
Superintendent Nancy Mann and
School Board President Konrad
Wayson said intervention was
necessary to correct mounting
problems at the privately run
public school. Their investigation
began with a union grievance
and uncovered evidence, they
said, of teacher harassment,
seesawing class sizes, spotty
attendance by students and
teachers, and unkempt facilities.
“We had some teachers who
didn’t understand that they had
to be there the entire day,” said
Ken Nichols, acting deputy
superintendent of schools. “The
part-time teacher was teaching
more hours than some of the full-
time teachers.”
The unrest at Chesapeake sets
back the struggling charter
education movement in
Maryland. Charter schools have
been slow to spread in the state;
a dozen of them have opened in
Baltimore, two in Anne Arundel
and one in Frederick County.
Many of them have squabbled
with the school boards that
granted their charters, including
the Knowledge Is Power
Program, an established,
successful charter-school
network that opened near
Annapolis last fall.
Chesapeake’s founders allege,
among other things, that the
Anne Arundel school board has
played favorites with KIPP,
whose middle-grades operation
has been allowed to function
without interruption. Mann, the
superintendent, contends that
KIPP’s experienced leaders
“knew what to do” and dealt with
a handful of start-up problems
“immediately.”
Founders of the Hanover school
contend the school system has
been against them from the
beginning. They say that the
complaints against Omural are
petty, and that the remaining
concerns were trumped up to
justify a hostile takeover.
“We don’t have anyone in the
school as of today,” said Al
Aksakalli, a member of the
charter school’s board. “If they
want to make this work, they
have to let us in.”
At the root of the dispute,
sources said, is a clash of
cultures and genders among the
school staff.
Chesapeake was founded by a
group that included several
Turkish-American scholars,
some of them professors at
local universities. The director
and four teachers were Turkish-
American men, while the
instructional leader and three
remaining teachers were native-
born American women.
The three female teachers filed
a grievance two months ago with
the county teachers union,
alleging mistreatment by
Omural. They said Omural
allegedly retaliated against
them. Among other things, the
teachers accused Omural of
denying them access to the
Internet and of treating them as if
they were of an inferior sex.
Kisha Webster, the dean of
students, said Omural narrowed
her duties after she spoke out at
a meeting of the charter school’s
board. School leaders deny that.
Webster abruptly resigned in
February, telling students in
hand-delivered letters that she
had “no trust and definitely no
respect” for Omural and
describing him as “inept.” On
March 3, representatives of the
teachers union met with school
system officials and described
deep “relationship problems”
between the director and the
female teachers. “The picture
that was painted was fairly vivid,”
Nichols said.
On March 6, three police cars
arrived at the Hanover campus
to relieve Omural of command.
The school board imported a
retired educator as acting
principal. A subsequent
investigation found teachers
being assigned too many
students, working erratic hours
or assigned administrative
duties, Nichols said. The rented
classroom space allegedly
required three days of cleaning
because it was so dirty, he said.
“The only thing they did was buff
the floors,” Aksakalli said.
The three teachers who filed the
grievance were replaced. They
were “insistent that they no
longer be at the school,” Nichols
said.
Founders of the charter school
say the case against them
doesn’t amount to much. They
consider the allegations against
the Turkish-American leadership
by the non-Turkish teachers
trivial at best, prejudiced at
worst. They point out that most of
the parents remain loyal, even
after the disruptions of recent
weeks. Eleven students have
withdrawn since Omural’s
removal, leaving enrollment at
108 at the middle school.
Aksakalli says the school still
has a waiting list. A handful of
parents have complained to the
school board; board members
concur that most seem satisfied
with the academic program.
School founders say the school
system used the union
grievance as a pretext to
dismantle the school,
essentially locking out its
independent board, canceling
after-school activities and clubs
and installing a new class
schedule that more closely
resembles that of a standard
middle school.
“We’ve asked for a meeting at
least 15 times in the last two
weeks. They’re not giving us an
appointment,” Aksakalli said.
“They’re not telling us what the
charges against Jon [Omural]
are. We don’t have a list; we
don’t have anything.”
| MARYLAND |
Utah charter school's
ties to Turkey draw
scrutiny
Beehive Academy » Complaints
about Beehive Academy's
hiring and finances prompt
investigation.
By Kirsten Stewart
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 11/12/2009 06:42:53
PM MST
Beehive Science and
Technology Academy Principal
Frank Erdogan talks about the
allegations against his school.
(Paul Fraughton / The Salt Lake
Tribune)Related
Beehive Academy
Nov 30:
Charter school controversy
prompts audit of state
boardNov 12:
Probe finds no proof charter
school has ties to IslamThis
story was first published July
17, 2009
Holladay » When Principal
Muhammet "Frank" Erdogan
stocked the school library
shelves, he agonized over
whether to include the Koran
alongside the Bible and other
religious texts.
"I don't have the luxury to make
a mistake here. I have to be
careful all the time," Erdogan
said of his by-the-book efforts
to build Beehive Science &
Technology Academy in
Holladay.
Founded and financially
supported by a group of
Turkish-American scholars,
Beehive advertises itself as a
public charter school offering
college-bound seventh through
12th graders a foundation in
math and science. But a former
teacher and a disaffected
parent allege the school has
another mission: to advance
and promote certain Islamic
beliefs.
They point to questionable
financial transactions and hiring
practices as proof of the
school's covert ties to Turkish
Muslim preacher Fethullah
Gülen. Their complaints have
prodded an investigation by the
Utah State Charter Board.
Gülen is a preacher, author and
educator living in Pennsylvania.
He is the founder and leader of
the Gülen movement, an
international network of
schools. and in Turkey, some
universities, businesses and
television networks.
Some see Gülen as the modern,
nonviolent face of Islam. He
condemns terrorism and
supports interfaith dialogue and
scientific inquiry.
Transparency, or a lack of » In
Turkey, however, the private
nature of his network has
aroused suspicion. Gülen was
forced to leave Turkey in 1998
on charges that he was
working to overthrow the
secular government.
Intelligence and defense
analysts at Jane's Information
Group, which consults
governments and businesses in
the defense and aerospace,
describe the grass-roots
movement as a powerful "third
force in Turkish politics."
Erdogan, a Muslim from
Azerbaijan, said he supports
Gülen's ideas, but wouldn't
describe himself as a "follower."
Many of Beehive's teachers
and founders also support
Gülen's ideals," acknowledged
Erodgan. But he said there's no
formal tie.
Erdogan said Beehive is not
affiliated with any religious
group and is funded with state
dollars and private donations.
He says he's being unfairly
"attacked" and fears for his
school's future.
Amid the allegations, two of the
school's 224 students have left,
he says. And he's lost three of
his 20 teachers, though he
suspects this has more to do
with budget cuts.
Not unlike other public charter
schools in Utah, Beehive
struggles financially.
The school has steadily grown
since it's inception in August
2005 and that means more
state funding, which is
awarded on a per-student
basis. Its budget now exceeds
$1 million.
Backers and detractors » But
the school is losing money. With
growth comes the need for
more teachers and classroom
space. The old office building
the school occupies isn't ideal
and needs renovation. There is
no gymnasium nor auditorium.
The building could use new
carpet and fresh coat of paint.
Backed by a loyal group of
parents, Beehive has managed
to survive.
"I feel like my son is getting an
incredible education. That's
what I want, for him to walk out
of that school with a little bit of
an edge to see him through
college," said Marie Jess, the
parent representative on
Beehive's school board.
But there's been dissension
among parents.
Jess replaced Kelly Wayment, a
parent of three Beehive
students and once a staunch
supporter. Wayment was
removed from the board this
spring after he e-mailed other
parents about his concerns that
Beehive might belong to the
Fethullah Gülen movement. He
was threatened with legal
action and accused of using his
seat on the board for "sectarian
purposes," suggesting he was
anti-Islam.
But Wayment contends he
never suggested ties to
terrorism nor Islamic extremists.
He says he harbors no ill will
against Muslims and has been
with Beehive from the
beginning, dined at teachers'
homes and has traveled with
the school to Europe and
Turkey. His primary concern is
lack of transparency. Even as a
board member, he says he felt
"out of the loop" and was often
was the lone dissenting vote on
spending decisions he found
irresponsible.
"I was trying to promote
discussion and give parents the
opportunity to look into this for
themselves," said Wayment. "I
believe as parents we have a
right to know everything about
the schools we send our kids
to and the schools have a
responsibility to disclose any
and all affiliations."
Church and state » The
constitutional requirement of
government-church separation
looms large in predominantly
Mormon Utah, where more than
one charter school has asked
prospective students to include
their baptismal dates on
enrollment applications. State
education officials also
pondered one charter school's
renting of space at an LDS
seminary.
Although free from regulations
that bind traditional public
schools, charter schools are
still tuition-free, tax-funded
public schools. That means
they must be nonsectarian,
neither promoting nor
denigrating religion.
No one alleges Islam is being
taught at Beehive. The old
office building that the school
rents is owned by a limited
liability corporation registered to
a Park City man. There are no
religious symbols displayed, no
school prayer.
And absent proof of more
direct ties, charter board
chairman Brian Allen will limit
his probe to matters of finance,
student performance and
employment practices.
"I don't care if the school's
founders are Catholic, Hare
Krishnas or belong to the
Church of NFL Football," said
Allen. "What they can't do is
allow that philosophy to spill
over into the classroom."
The teachers » Wayment and a
former teacher, however,
argue there has been spillover.
Adam Kuntz, a first-year
history teacher at Beehive,
was fired this spring, he
alleges, for taking academic
freedom concerns to the state
board.
Earlier in the school year, Kuntz
had a run-in with Erdogan over
a lesson plan on World War II
and the Holocaust. Erdogan
wanted Kuntz to revise the plan
and during a tape-recorded
meeting, questioned
conventional accounts of the
genocide.
A copy of that recording was
sent to state education officials.
Shortly after, Kuntz was fired.
"[Erdogan] didn't say why I was
being fired, but he made light of
the recording the day of my
termination," said Kuntz.
Erdogan contends Kuntz was
fired for "performance
reasons" and notes the teacher
did, in fact, teach the Holocaust
with no interference by the
administration.
But Wayment said Kuntz's firing
is an example of capricious and
discriminatory employment
practices at the school.
Wayment says employee
turnover is high and teachers
are often recruited from other
charter schools which he
believes are part of a larger
network.
These recruits tend to be from
Turkey and central Asian
republics living here on work
visas, he says, and they're
often promoted above teachers
with more experience and
tenure, Wayment adds.
Erdogan denies any favoritism
in hiring.
The balance sheet » Tax filings
show the school is being
propped up with personal
loans, which the charter board
is examining.
"I'm not sure the transactions
are illegal," said Allen. "How the
money is spent will probably
determine that."
In 2007, Beehive received a
$61,000 loan from Murat Biyik,
who at the time was the
school's vice principal. The loan
was equivalent to Biyik's
salary. Biyik is now principal at
Magnolia Science Academy in
Hollywood, Calif., part of a
chain of charter schools once
overseen by Erdogan.
And the foundation overseeing
the Magnolia schools is home to
another Beehive benefactor,
Mustafa Keskin. Keskin is
secretary of the foundation and
loaned Beehive $49,000.
Other loans to Beehive include
$20,000 from Buyamin
Karaduman, and $30,000 from
Suleyman Bahceci, who both
work for the Accord Institute in
Tustin, Calif. The institute
contracts with Beehive on
curriculum design and performs
teacher evaluations for the
school.
The institute also contracts with
Magnolia Science Academy and
charter schools in Nevada and
Arizona.
Erdogan refers to the lenders
as "friends" and says they
have been repaid or soon will
be.
Allen says he is treading
carefully.
"So far the only evidence I've
seen of religious ties is
circumstantial," he said. "If this
is a good school, I don't want to
close them. I want to help them
succeed."
Jess remains loyal to Beehive.
She looked into allegations,
even phoning the FBI.
"Am I to believe this movement
is so patient that they're silently
sinking into our country? To do
what? Take over?" she said. "I
don't think [so]."
ties to Turkey draw
scrutiny
Beehive Academy » Complaints
about Beehive Academy's
hiring and finances prompt
investigation.
By Kirsten Stewart
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 11/12/2009 06:42:53
PM MST
Beehive Science and
Technology Academy Principal
Frank Erdogan talks about the
allegations against his school.
(Paul Fraughton / The Salt Lake
Tribune)Related
Beehive Academy
Nov 30:
Charter school controversy
prompts audit of state
boardNov 12:
Probe finds no proof charter
school has ties to IslamThis
story was first published July
17, 2009
Holladay » When Principal
Muhammet "Frank" Erdogan
stocked the school library
shelves, he agonized over
whether to include the Koran
alongside the Bible and other
religious texts.
"I don't have the luxury to make
a mistake here. I have to be
careful all the time," Erdogan
said of his by-the-book efforts
to build Beehive Science &
Technology Academy in
Holladay.
Founded and financially
supported by a group of
Turkish-American scholars,
Beehive advertises itself as a
public charter school offering
college-bound seventh through
12th graders a foundation in
math and science. But a former
teacher and a disaffected
parent allege the school has
another mission: to advance
and promote certain Islamic
beliefs.
They point to questionable
financial transactions and hiring
practices as proof of the
school's covert ties to Turkish
Muslim preacher Fethullah
Gülen. Their complaints have
prodded an investigation by the
Utah State Charter Board.
Gülen is a preacher, author and
educator living in Pennsylvania.
He is the founder and leader of
the Gülen movement, an
international network of
schools. and in Turkey, some
universities, businesses and
television networks.
Some see Gülen as the modern,
nonviolent face of Islam. He
condemns terrorism and
supports interfaith dialogue and
scientific inquiry.
Transparency, or a lack of » In
Turkey, however, the private
nature of his network has
aroused suspicion. Gülen was
forced to leave Turkey in 1998
on charges that he was
working to overthrow the
secular government.
Intelligence and defense
analysts at Jane's Information
Group, which consults
governments and businesses in
the defense and aerospace,
describe the grass-roots
movement as a powerful "third
force in Turkish politics."
Erdogan, a Muslim from
Azerbaijan, said he supports
Gülen's ideas, but wouldn't
describe himself as a "follower."
Many of Beehive's teachers
and founders also support
Gülen's ideals," acknowledged
Erodgan. But he said there's no
formal tie.
Erdogan said Beehive is not
affiliated with any religious
group and is funded with state
dollars and private donations.
He says he's being unfairly
"attacked" and fears for his
school's future.
Amid the allegations, two of the
school's 224 students have left,
he says. And he's lost three of
his 20 teachers, though he
suspects this has more to do
with budget cuts.
Not unlike other public charter
schools in Utah, Beehive
struggles financially.
The school has steadily grown
since it's inception in August
2005 and that means more
state funding, which is
awarded on a per-student
basis. Its budget now exceeds
$1 million.
Backers and detractors » But
the school is losing money. With
growth comes the need for
more teachers and classroom
space. The old office building
the school occupies isn't ideal
and needs renovation. There is
no gymnasium nor auditorium.
The building could use new
carpet and fresh coat of paint.
Backed by a loyal group of
parents, Beehive has managed
to survive.
"I feel like my son is getting an
incredible education. That's
what I want, for him to walk out
of that school with a little bit of
an edge to see him through
college," said Marie Jess, the
parent representative on
Beehive's school board.
But there's been dissension
among parents.
Jess replaced Kelly Wayment, a
parent of three Beehive
students and once a staunch
supporter. Wayment was
removed from the board this
spring after he e-mailed other
parents about his concerns that
Beehive might belong to the
Fethullah Gülen movement. He
was threatened with legal
action and accused of using his
seat on the board for "sectarian
purposes," suggesting he was
anti-Islam.
But Wayment contends he
never suggested ties to
terrorism nor Islamic extremists.
He says he harbors no ill will
against Muslims and has been
with Beehive from the
beginning, dined at teachers'
homes and has traveled with
the school to Europe and
Turkey. His primary concern is
lack of transparency. Even as a
board member, he says he felt
"out of the loop" and was often
was the lone dissenting vote on
spending decisions he found
irresponsible.
"I was trying to promote
discussion and give parents the
opportunity to look into this for
themselves," said Wayment. "I
believe as parents we have a
right to know everything about
the schools we send our kids
to and the schools have a
responsibility to disclose any
and all affiliations."
Church and state » The
constitutional requirement of
government-church separation
looms large in predominantly
Mormon Utah, where more than
one charter school has asked
prospective students to include
their baptismal dates on
enrollment applications. State
education officials also
pondered one charter school's
renting of space at an LDS
seminary.
Although free from regulations
that bind traditional public
schools, charter schools are
still tuition-free, tax-funded
public schools. That means
they must be nonsectarian,
neither promoting nor
denigrating religion.
No one alleges Islam is being
taught at Beehive. The old
office building that the school
rents is owned by a limited
liability corporation registered to
a Park City man. There are no
religious symbols displayed, no
school prayer.
And absent proof of more
direct ties, charter board
chairman Brian Allen will limit
his probe to matters of finance,
student performance and
employment practices.
"I don't care if the school's
founders are Catholic, Hare
Krishnas or belong to the
Church of NFL Football," said
Allen. "What they can't do is
allow that philosophy to spill
over into the classroom."
The teachers » Wayment and a
former teacher, however,
argue there has been spillover.
Adam Kuntz, a first-year
history teacher at Beehive,
was fired this spring, he
alleges, for taking academic
freedom concerns to the state
board.
Earlier in the school year, Kuntz
had a run-in with Erdogan over
a lesson plan on World War II
and the Holocaust. Erdogan
wanted Kuntz to revise the plan
and during a tape-recorded
meeting, questioned
conventional accounts of the
genocide.
A copy of that recording was
sent to state education officials.
Shortly after, Kuntz was fired.
"[Erdogan] didn't say why I was
being fired, but he made light of
the recording the day of my
termination," said Kuntz.
Erdogan contends Kuntz was
fired for "performance
reasons" and notes the teacher
did, in fact, teach the Holocaust
with no interference by the
administration.
But Wayment said Kuntz's firing
is an example of capricious and
discriminatory employment
practices at the school.
Wayment says employee
turnover is high and teachers
are often recruited from other
charter schools which he
believes are part of a larger
network.
These recruits tend to be from
Turkey and central Asian
republics living here on work
visas, he says, and they're
often promoted above teachers
with more experience and
tenure, Wayment adds.
Erdogan denies any favoritism
in hiring.
The balance sheet » Tax filings
show the school is being
propped up with personal
loans, which the charter board
is examining.
"I'm not sure the transactions
are illegal," said Allen. "How the
money is spent will probably
determine that."
In 2007, Beehive received a
$61,000 loan from Murat Biyik,
who at the time was the
school's vice principal. The loan
was equivalent to Biyik's
salary. Biyik is now principal at
Magnolia Science Academy in
Hollywood, Calif., part of a
chain of charter schools once
overseen by Erdogan.
And the foundation overseeing
the Magnolia schools is home to
another Beehive benefactor,
Mustafa Keskin. Keskin is
secretary of the foundation and
loaned Beehive $49,000.
Other loans to Beehive include
$20,000 from Buyamin
Karaduman, and $30,000 from
Suleyman Bahceci, who both
work for the Accord Institute in
Tustin, Calif. The institute
contracts with Beehive on
curriculum design and performs
teacher evaluations for the
school.
The institute also contracts with
Magnolia Science Academy and
charter schools in Nevada and
Arizona.
Erdogan refers to the lenders
as "friends" and says they
have been repaid or soon will
be.
Allen says he is treading
carefully.
"So far the only evidence I've
seen of religious ties is
circumstantial," he said. "If this
is a good school, I don't want to
close them. I want to help them
succeed."
Jess remains loyal to Beehive.
She looked into allegations,
even phoning the FBI.
"Am I to believe this movement
is so patient that they're silently
sinking into our country? To do
what? Take over?" she said. "I
don't think [so]."
| Where there's smoke . . . . |
Some of the hats he wears:
| Islamist Gülen Movement Runs U.S. Charter Schools by Stephen Schwartz American Thinker March 29, 2010 Read original article in American Thinker here A secretive foreign network of Islamic radicals now operates dozens of charter schools — which receive government money but are not required to adopt a state-approved curriculum — on U.S. soil. The inspirer of this conspiratorial effort is Fethullah Gülen, who directs a major Islamist movement in Turkey and the Turkish diaspora, but lives in the United States. He is number 13 among the world's "50 most influential Muslims" according to one prominent listing. Gülen has been criticized as the puppet master for the current Turkish government headed by the "soft Islamist" Justice and Development Party, known by its Turkish initials as the AKP, in its slow-motion showdown with the secularist Turkish military. But Gülen is also known in Muslim countries for his network of 500-700 Islamic schools around the world, according to differing sources favorable to his movement. A more critical view of Gülen's emphasis on education asserts that his international network of thousands of primary and secondary schools, universities, and student residences is a key element in solidifying an Islamist political agenda in Turkey. But in startling news for Americans, the Gülen movement operates more than 85 primary and secondary schools on our soil. A roster of the Gülen schools and of the numerous foundations that support them has been released to the public by the patriotic group Act! for America. The Gülen schools are often designated as "science academies" and are concentrated in Texas, Ohio, and California — with others scattered across the rest of the country. Two states that host Gülen charter schools are Arizona and Utah. In the former, the Daisy Education Corporation (the Gülen movement loves friendly-sounding institutional names) operates three schools in Tucson: one serving kindergarten through the eighth grade, another designated |
| as an elementary school, and a middle-high school, all under the rubric of the Sonoran Science Academy. In Phoenix, it runs a satellite kindergarten-to-10th-grade campus with the same name. The appearance of Gülen charter schools in Tucson has produced critical attention in local media. The Tucson Weekly published a report at the end of 2009 noting that the Sonoran Science Academy in the southern Arizona town had been named "charter school of the year" by the Arizona Charter School Association. But writer Tim Vanderpool reported that according to one dismayed parent, who declined identification while pointing out the Gülen movement's history of intimidating critics, "the Sonoran Academy seems constantly to be bringing Turkish educators into the United States, and subjecting students to substitute teachers while the teachers await work visas." Vanderpool submits that "several Sonoran Academy parents believe the school has a hidden agenda to promote Gülen's brand of Turkish nationalism, advance sympathy for that country's political goals such as winning acceptance into the European Union, and discourage official acknowledgment of Turkey's genocide against the Armenians during World War I." Such issues are exotic, to say the least, for Tucson parents. Earlier in 2009, the Beehive Science and Technology Academy, a high school in Salt Lake City, came under similar critical scrutiny from the Salt Lake Tribune. That major daily's writer, Kirsten Stewart, reported that the Utah State Charter Board had begun an investigation of the Beehive school following complaints from a former teacher and an alarmed parent. The complainants asserted that while "Beehive advertises itself as a public charter school offering college-bound seventh through 12th graders a foundation in math and science ... the school has another mission: to advance and promote certain Islamic beliefs. They point to questionable financial transactions and hiring practices as proof of the school's covert ties to Turkish Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen." But while Fatih Karatas, principal of the Sonoran Science Academy middle school in Tucson, flatly denied any connection with the Gülen movement, Beehive principal Muhammet "Frank" Erdogan in Salt Lake City admitted such links in the case of his school. The Salt Lake Tribune quoted his admission that along with him, "many of Beehive's teachers and founders also support Gülen's ideals." The paper also described how "Adam Kuntz, a first-year history teacher at Beehive, was fired [in spring 2009], he alleges, for taking academic freedom concerns to the state board. Earlier in the school year, Kuntz had a run-in with Erdogan over a lesson plan on World War II and the Holocaust. Erdogan wanted Kuntz to revise the plan and during a tape-recorded meeting, questioned conventional accounts of the genocide." Kelly Wayment, a parent of three children in the school, was removed from his post on the Beehive administrative board after he e-mailed other parents about Gülen movement influence in the school. Wayment told the Salt Lake Tribune that as in the Tucson case, teachers "tend to be from Turkey and central Asian republics living here on work visas." Americans should ask both why and how the Islamist Gülen movement has managed to establish such a large presence for Turkish religious political indoctrination in publicly financed education -- and should unite to oppose it. Stephen Suleyman Schwartz is executive director of the Center for Islamic Pluralism in Washington, D.C. This article was sponsored by Islamist Watch, a project of the Middle East Forum. READ 24 Comments on "Islamist Gülen Movement Runs U.S. Charter Schools" |
| Posted by: Pangaea Mar 29, 01:19 AM --------------------------------------- Islam = Submission/ Suppression/Control/Rule Posted by: Shuggie Mar 29, 04:50 AM ----------------------------------------- Needs to be investigated for violations of any State or Federal law.... Practically, my understanding is that it is very difficult to make a charter school work economically as they need to meet state standards to receive state funding. These are small schools with fewer kids. As you get to the middle and high school years charter schools become fewer and farther between as state required programs (service) for the students increase and are too expensive to provide. As many state budgets are in the red, budget choices are going to look at charter schools less favorably than public schools. We are going to see the existance of charter schools challenged simply because of budgets anyway. This stinks as this group sounds like they are gaming the charter school system because they could not make their school happen on a private basis. Further, it is unusual to see commonly themed charter schools in numbers and in mutiple states with what appears to be a unified and organized "charter". Sounds like a private franchise based on easy access to state funding. Posted by: Rose Spice Mar 29, 06:09 AM --------------------------------------- Can you just imagine a powerful but secret "CHRISTIAN" organization running a dozen Charter schools on TAX MONEY without a state-approved curriculum or diversity classes, or indoctrination on homosexual sensitivity??? SO LOL!!! Dhimmi Obama is bowing so low his head goes through the floor and through the basement, in his effort to properly abase himself before Islam. Posted by: cedarhill Mar 29, 06:31 AM --------------------------------------- To understand the difference in these schools compared to Christian Academies all you need to do is to compare Obama to Tim Tebow. Tim had the benefit of Christian teachings in his formative years; Obama had the benefit of Islamic teachings and Maxism in his. Posted by: Doktor Riktor Von Zhades Mar 29, 06:44 AM --------------------------------------- I will await the ACLU and all those other folks that demand seperation of church and state to file lawsuits........as if! Posted by: DaveT Mar 29, 08:08 AM --------------------------------------- Liberals love Islam because they envy its power over the people. I suspect they would love this nation to become Islamic, then they could exercise absolute control? Posted by: Emily Mar 29, 09:46 AM --------------------------------------- Fascinating! I've been wondering why Education Sec. Arne Duncan supports the expansion of charter schools, even though this administration is in bed with the unions. This must be part of the answer. Posted by: Jake Mar 29, 09:49 AM --------------------------------------- As long as there not home schooling there own children on there own dime, thats who you have to watch, the parents in america that care about there children not the muslim charter schools. Posted by: jpkoch Mar 29, 09:58 AM --------------------------------------- Most of this tolerance is generated by pure old fashion fear. No, the Libs do not have a love affair for Islam other than the fact that it poses itself as a rival to Christianity. I think most Libs fully understand how radical many Mosques are. The Libs and the MSM have also created an entire industry based on victimhood. Like Feminism in the 70s and 80s, upsetting Islamic activists can end one's career. The Left finally created a minority activist group that can turn on them. PC dominates. But, fear seems to be the big motivating factor. While we don't have the problem that many EU nations have (remember Theo Van Gough? and the "youth" of France and the UK who love to riot?), it doesn't take much imagination to believe it can happen over here. Unlike Christians, Muslims can declare a jihad against an unbeliever, infidel, or even other Muslims (remember the author Rushdie?). It's funny that in many states homeschooling is highly regulated, and in some cases the state makes in almost impossible. One wonders how the state educational bureaucracy would handle an Islamic Charter school in places like Vermont, or New York? Posted by: bk Mar 29, 11:06 AM --------------------------------------- I have two children who were on the waiting list for a new charter elementary school until ACT for America sent me an article on Gulen weeks ago. I was shocked to find out from one of the mothers who I met when I visited the schools that "turks" run the school. After much investigation, I found that our representative in my state was one of the people reponsible from taking the "power" away from our schools districts to make decisions about whether a charter should open and gave it to a board who is independent of the school district and taxpayers. The people who make the decisions on the charter schools are appointed with no accountability to the taxpayer. After this weekend Christian Militia raid (why are they not raiding the 35 muslim jihad training camps?), the knowledge that muslim charter schools are springing up all over America, and somed banks acquiscing to sharia law, I am really concerned about who's side our government is on? Are you? Posted by: DVG Mar 29, 12:21 PM --------------------------------------- I have said it before and say it again. Islam is the problem. The money being spent on mosques throughout Europe and the US provides a pattern. We are being infiltrated by a society not compatible with our ideals. They are on a mission to change us, or destroy us if necessary. Do we want a USA where the police are afraid to patrol certain areas? Which will grow unabated if left unchecked. Look to Europe. It is submitting to sharia law. Is that our future? Posted by: Ella Mar 29, 12:40 PM --------------------------------------- The strangers among us.... will they destroy us? Posted by: Harod Mar 29, 01:50 PM --------------------------------------- Imagine how shocked everyone will be when someone's little leftist darling grows up and sets himself off at the food court. Be ready for the standard responses "How could this have happened? Somebody should have done something. Why didnt anybody tell us this going on?" Posted by: my2cents Mar 29, 02:19 PM --------------------------------------- The fault lies with the school district in both AZ and UT. While Charter schools have a certain amount of liberty with curriculum they are not allowed to operate from a faith-based perspective - this alone should violate the charter status. Charter schools also have more flexibility to hire teachers with/out credentials, but somehow I find it hard that our state department would issue visas on an elementary or high school level teaching basis (how do you actually prove that a foreigner can teach American standards more adequately that an American teacher?). College is easier but the validity of their visas would certainly be questionable. These school districts and cities better start doing their job! Federal funds come with strings attached. Turn them into private institutions and see how many students are left. Posted by: Hugh J. Peightreeuht Mar 29, 02:44 PM --------------------------------------- Agreed, my2cents (common cents, indeed). More specifically, fault lies with Bd. of Ed. "officials" who won't touch it with a ten foot pole. All in the name of diversity and the foment of class warfare. The fact is that these (at least AZ) are border states that hold the premise of immigration reform policies in their hands because the result of any kind of those rulings will act like a domino effect with any other policies with oversight from the almighty State. IMHO this is publicly funded Jihad, at it's core motivations, which of course are shaded by the superficial "curtains" filtering out the light that should be shed on a very serious subject through a window of transparent government at all levels, especially when it is in issues regarding our sovereignty. Complicit window dressings to satisfy the Statist proletariat, under the preaching of the Proffesorial Politburo's (Dept. of Ed.) prose; preserving progressive Presidential provisions? They Know not what they do. Posted by: anonymous125 Mar 30, 08:51 AM --------------------------------------- Let's not forget that Gulen has been banned from Turkey for his fundamentalist beliefs. Great article from Middle East Quarterly about his ambitions - [www.meforum.org] He needs to be stopped, but I'm afraid the U.S. Government is secretly supporting him because he's got deep ties to the Middle East. Posted by: Joseph02 Mar 30, 12:03 PM --------------------------------------- If this article is not biased, one-sided, or speculative, nothing really is. For a scholarly analysis of the Gulen Movement, buy and read the book by Helen Rose Ebaugh, "The Gulen Movement", recently published by Springer. This book is a result of a field research that took several years or buy "A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gulen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse" by Dr. jill carrol of Rice University. At least a quick google will give you much information. Posted by: Ifti Mar 30, 12:14 PM --------------------------------------- Salaam British society is institutionally racist. A native child is born with the virus and genes of racism. This is the main reason why British schooling is the home of institutional racism. It is not only British society but even British establishment has made life difficult by treating Muslims with suspicion. Native Brits believe that they are superior than people from other cultures and countries. A study by Essex University revealed a British negative view towards the nearly two-millio-strong Muslim community. British media gave a distorted picture of Muslims. British intelligence services spy on Muslims and place Muslim pilgrims under syrveillance. British media use Islamic sermons to justify attacks on Islam. Islam is spreading fast in Britian. Anti-Muslim campaigns in Britain is deep-rooted and had preceded the 9/11 nd 7/7 attacks Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools because British education system is the home of institutional racism and British teachers are chicken racist. Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. Muslim schools are not only faith institutions but Bilingual schools also. There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school. Bilingual Muslim children need to learn and be well versed in standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. They also need to learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of thewir literature and poetry. English is their economic language, while Arabic is a religious and Urdu and other community languages are their social and community languages. A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not want to become notoriously monolingual Brit. Iftikhar Ahmad [www.londonschoolofislamics. org.uk] Posted by: Grish Begian Mar 31, 02:10 AM --------------------------------------- The "Midnight express" freight is in full speed toward US soil.. Posted by: GulenAnswers Mar 31, 11:17 AM --------------------------------------- Joseph02: I think you might be able to make the argument that Helen Rose Ebaugh and Dr. Jill Carroll's works are somewhat biased since they are participating (and possibly receiving funding) in Gulen sponsored activities. Interesting too, Dr. Jill Carroll tells us, featured on Fethullah Gulen's own webpage, that Gulenists are running charter schools in the US: [www.fethullahgulen.org] [www.gulenconference.net] [www.gulenconference.net] Posted by: Joseph02 Apr 01, 02:32 PM --------------------------------------- GulenAnswers: In this article the point is not Gulen Movement Running charter schools. The point is showing them "A secretive foreign network of Islamic radicals" at the very first sentence and the rests.. That is biased. With the same point of view I can say that Stephen Schwartz possibly receiving funding in "anti-Gulen" sponsored activities. Posted by: Jacob Apr 02, 01:19 AM --------------------------------------- The Schools run by Gulen Movement all over the world including the U.S. bring together thousands of students from different races, religion, languages, cultures, colors, and so on. They are the proof that all people without any discrimination can share the same environment and learn from each other. Those academicians, teachers, and directors who work in these institutions strive very hard to represent Turkish and Islamic tolerance, understanding, friendliness, and love to everyone. I am certain that do more than what is required in the curriculum. Almost in all countries, they have been centres of praise for their great contribution to the society, culture, and education. We should be thankful and indebted to them; because of their high quality of education, pedagogy, and philosophy, they are able to remove coined misconceptions of Islam and Turkey. So far I have never heard of or read any illegal activity committed in any of the schools all over the world. Simply, they are sincere and modest in their philosophy. Well, I find this article a very prejudiced one, for it does not reflect the truth. I guess it has been written to satisfy or flatter those who cannot stand or appreciate neither Turkey nor Islam; most probably by an anti-Muslim or anti-Turkish organization. Therefore, it does not deserve any credit. All in all, I consider and support those peaceful, friendly, and scientific schools as bridges between cultures, nations, religions which has many things to share. Posted by: WilliamBortan Apr 02, 08:35 AM --------------------------------------- I wish at least after now, American Thinker publishes articles prepared by doing more objective research rather than referring to previously prepared poor and unobjective articles and repeating their unrooted claims. As an individual with a PhD deggree in physics from one of the nations top universities, I would like to mention that science education in our county (US) is really behind many of the world countries. This is the real reason we do not want to admit regarding the economic recession as we can not keep to produce high value technological materials and ideas. We have a serious gap between the number of science and math teachers we have and we need. Opening is huge. Specifically if you analyze these schools mentioned in this article, their Turkish teachers are only science and math teachers, and the schools do really great in science education (This is the point we need to "think"). This is not surprising; since for a foreigner to be able get H-1 visa, he/she needs to demonstrate a qualifaction which can not be found in here! Gulen does not issue visas, but homeland security does and does it based on the qualifications! So these teachers on visas they are highly qualified and this is good for us not bad at all..! this is simply good, highly qualified teacher import! All other teachers in these schools are American born citizens and the curriculum they follow is more American than many schools which are getting closed nowadays, unfortunately! About the activities of the Gulen, I know some Turkish and these kinds of biased articles are not new about Gulen. Some people claim he is undermining the state for an islamic religious state.. and some others claim he is the Pope's agent preparing Turkey for the Catholic transformation! This is because he is highly active and in fact is a pioneer in interreligious dialogue.. I find all funny... Most of these critiques which are terribly contradicting with each other come from the same source of people, surprisingly! Despite these biased publications, Mr. Gulen is quite popular due to his helping and education activities, ... (350 word limit) Posted by: thoreau Apr 02, 01:04 PM --------------------------------------- This article is rather biased. It is more like the works of ultra-nationalists of Turkey. They more or less say the same things with the difference that they say Gulen is supported by the CIA. They are not secretive and the worst thing they can be accused of is being a radical, which is the thing that they believe hides the peaceful side of Islam. Gulen has strongly opposed bigots and his followers have opened schools in non-muslim countries. Guess what? They have had the greatest hardships about schools in Arabia and because they do not think highly of it they have none in Iran. Sometimes he sounds like he follows "Luke 6:30 "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back." We are enemies of what we don't know. |
| ATTENTION EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS: Every attempt possible has been made to verify all sources and information. In the event you feel an error has been made, please contact us immediately. Thank you. NOTICE: All individuals mentioned on this site are presumed innocent unless they have been found guilty in a court of law. FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of education issues vital to a republic. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C., Chapter 1, Section 107 which states: the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright," the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use" you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Copyright 1999-2010 Peyton Wolcott |