Military coups in Turkey

Fethullah Gülen: ‘I deplore and reject any coup, anti-democratic attempts’

Fethullah Gülen: ‘I deplore and reject any coup, anti-democratic attempts’

I condemn and reject any coup whatsoever. I deplore and reject any coup attempt as well. I would raise my arms and would stop them saying that "this is a dead-end", even against considerations of a coup. This has always has been my general attitude; and my attitude will never change. If even the people who would like to drink my blood would come to the power through democratic elections, I would never consider or approve them being taken down through anti-democratic ways and methods. …

What is the historical context in which the Gulen movement emerged?

What is the historical context in which the Gulen movement emerged?

As the Gulen movement flourished in the 80s it is necessary to study the 1980 military coup in detail in order. The military coup of 1980 brought a military government first and called for elections in 1983. The Motherland Party (MP) under the leadership of Turgut Ozal who emphasized open market economy, democratic values, freedom of religious education and morality as a force against socialism. Ozal embraced Islam as a source of morality but rejected political Islam. …