"In the past, I established friendly relations with leaders with different political views such as Mr. Turgut Özal, Mr. Süleyman Demirel and Mr. Bülent Ecevit, and I wholeheartedly supported their correct actions. I was respected by them, especially for the Hizmet movement's contributions to education and social peace. Although I always kept my distance from political Islam, I appreciated Erdoğan and AKP leaders for the democratic reforms they made in the first period of their rule. However, throughout my life I have been against the military's intervention in politics and military coups. 22 years ago “There is no turning back from democracy and secularism.” Because I said this, I was subjected to insults by political Islamist circles close to today's government, who opposed these values at that time. I stand behind my words today, just like yesterday."
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Anti-communistsImmigrants to the United StatesDemocracy activistsMuslims from TurkeyNon-fiction authors from Turkey
Original Language: English
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https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Fethullah_G%C3%BClen
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Fethullah Gülen
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