THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: Why Americans should learn about the Gulen movement

THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: Why Americans should learn about the Gulen movement:

Why Americans should learn about the Gulen movement

by The Perimeter Primate

Beyond the issues with the Gulen movement’s stealth acquisition of the operation of the largest network of U.S. charter schools (as reported by CBS News 60 Minutes, The New York Times, and elsewhere), Americans should also become aware of the influence of this cult (per Andrew Finkel*) in Turkey. A great deal has been written about the increased power of the Gulen movement in Turkey, its connection to the rise of political Islam in Turkey over the past decade or so, and how the GM is connected to the ruling party. This bears close watching. Here is an excellent report from Worldfocus, a production of WNET, and several pieces about the social shifts:

"Rising Islamist movements challenge secularism in Turkey."10/21/2009 

Popout

• "Turkey Feels Sway of Reclusive Cleric in the U.S." The New York Times, 4/24/2012 
• “A very Turkish coup - Scientists around the world should protest efforts by the government of Turkey to erode academic autonomy. And the wider world should note the threat to democracy.” Nature, 9/8/2011 
• "What Scares Turkey's Women? A Pennsylvania-based imam's anti-feminist message is spreading in the U.S.and in his home country."The Daily Beast, 3/21/2012
• “Is Turkey building a new Ottoman Empire?” The Toronto Star (CA), 11/13/2011

Read More THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: Why Americans should learn about the Gulen movement: