Why are some people in Turkey concerned about the Gülen-inspired schools?
So much positive acknowledgement and recognition outside Turkey of the success of the services, projects and institutions in the Gülen Movement has provoked anxiety in the protectionist elite and vested interest groups.
These groups prefer to isolate Turkey from world realities, as it is then easier for them to impose their control and authority on Turkish society. These vested interest groups are not recognized for their contribution to any international achievement, but they counter-mobilize against others who are. Those who countermobilize against the Gülen Movement are simply trying to retain their undeserved status in Turkey and the international arena as the single voice and authority acting on behalf of Turkish people.
The capacity of the participants and service projects in the Gülen Movement to outdo the elite in educational, intellectual, scientific and cultural services and to participate effectively in the international arena has revealed the elite’s limitations. This hurts the elite’s standing in the eyes of the people (within Turkey and abroad), something that the elite finds an intolerable irritant.
- Created on .