An open letter to ISNA
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is a Muslim umbrella group that has been described in the media as the largest Muslim organization in North America and is known for its annual conventions that focus the attention of North American Muslims towards the needs of other Muslims on the continent and throughout the world.
In its vision statement, ISNA explains that it aims "to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization in North America that contributes to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large." Its mission statement is "to foster the development of the Muslim community, interfaith relations, civic engagement and better understanding of Islam."
As a journalist living in the United States, I believe that ISNA has played a crucial role in constructing an Islamic community in a modern and secular society, enshrining Islamic ideals and affecting Muslim thought in North America over the decades. I have been so glad to see that in these conventions, intellectual stimulation comes from a variety of Muslim and non-Muslim scholars, devoted Muslim community leaders and businesspeople.
However, I am sad to see that at this year's convention, which will be held on Aug. 29-Sept. 1, ISNA has set aside time for a panel program titled "Turkey at a Crossroads," which allegedly aims to take a closer look to events listed as: "Taksim Square and Gezi Park events," "Series of leaked audio tapes," "Political coup trial against [Prime Minster] Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey," "The situation of Kurdish people in Turkey, Iraq and Syria," "Developments after two elections (local and presidential)" and "Upcoming general election."
Some of the topics of the panel explicitly aim to attack the Gülen movement, which has been subjected to a "witch hunt campaign" by President-elect Erdoğan and his party; the speakers are affiliated with the government or pro-government entities, and it is sad to see that ISNA has failed to provide a fair and balanced panel discussion.
While known as an organization devoted to its aims of providing insight, affirmation and appreciation of Muslims in North America -- which would hopefully replace prejudiced, arrogant, dialectical confrontations towards the same community through mutual respect and dialogical encounters -- it is very disappointing to see ISNA supporting an initiative to demonize another Muslim group that aims to promote mutual understanding and tolerance between cultures all over the world. When North American Muslims were faced with the question, "Is it possible to maintain an Islamic view of life in a society that apparently operates on a secular basis?" the Gülen movement was one of the few, like ISNA, to answer that they believe it is possible.
ISNA and Gülen on same page
When some of the leaders of ISNA encouraged the Muslims to engage in dialogue to discover commonalities in the North American context, Mr. Fethullah Gülen was on the same page. By engaging in dialogue, both the leaders of ISNA and the Gülen movement believed that they could arrive at a place where Muslims and non-Muslims would be able to make strong affirmations concerning their faith, that is, mutuality without feeling intimidated or threatened by one another.
In order to reach that goal, members of the Gülen movement have been servants of societies all over the globe, opening thousands of schools, charities, universities, hospitals and cultural centers. They believe that leaders are appointed to serve, not to rule.
An excerpt from a 2009 article in The New York Times titled "Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam" reads as follows:
"The Turkish schools, which have expanded to seven cities in Pakistan since the first one opened a decade ago, cannot transform the country on their own. But they offer an alternative approach that could help reduce the influence of Islamic extremists. ... They prescribe a strong Western curriculum, with courses, taught in English, from math and science to English literature and Shakespeare. They do not teach religion beyond the one class in Islamic studies that is required by the state. Unlike British-style private schools, however, they encourage Islam in their dormitories, where teachers set examples in lifestyle and prayer."
Speaking at the Pakistan-Turkey Business Forum, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pointed out the historical alliance between the two countries and paid compliments to the Pak-Turk schools established by Turkish entrepreneurs affiliated with the Gülen movement. During his speech, Sharif praised the Pak-Turk schools, saying: "The 23 Pak-Turk schools have played a great role in improving relations between the two countries in terms of cultural and emotional bonds. I want you to know that Pakistan always regards Turkey as a friend and an ally."
Some of the leaders of ISNA in the past have encouraged Muslims to open schools. This particular goal has been successfully accomplished by a devoted Muslim group, the Gülen movement, all around the world. While the biggest problem of the Muslims of our age is known as "education," how can one explain Erdoğan's ambition to close down all these schools all around the world, which are in service of humanity?
Erdoğan accuses the Gülen movement of leaking information about a massive graft probe that has engulfed his government and resulted in the resignation of four Cabinet ministers since mid-December. Even though we have no evidence that the corruption probe was politically motivated, it does not necessarily mean that we should ignore the evidence presented by the prosecutors. In an article that appeared in Al Monitor, noted Turkish journalist Mustafa Akyol, the author of "Islam Without Extremes," writes: "The 'parallel state' narrative cannot serve as a basis for the government to mount an all-out war against an entire civic movement. That would mean the end of the rule of law. Similarly, the government cannot subjugate the judiciary to itself on the grounds it is stamping out the 'parallel state.' That would mean the end to the separation of powers; that is, a shift to dictatorship."
In an article that appeared in American Conservative, Dr. Philip Giraldi, the executive director of the Council for the National Interest, writes that there is no evidence of a judicial coup against Erdoğan: "Erdoğan has claimed that there is a 'judicial coup' against him linked to the followers of exiled former ally Fethullah Gülen, a conspiracy which he has called in his usual colorful fashion both a 'parallel state' and 'blood-sucking vampires.' But, apart from numerous arrests, the reassignments of police officers and prosecutors and an ongoing investigation, no evidence has been actually produced to suggest that there is anything approaching a large-scale coordinated effort to discredit or remove him."
Looking at the 'coup attempt'
In any democratic country, a corruption case of this magnitude could overthrow the government. This is why Erdoğan and his party's media machine call it a "coup attempt." The truth is that reassigning the prosecutors and police officers who were in charge of the corruption probe was the real coup attempt, against the judicial system and democracy.
Erdoğan also accuses the Gülen movement of leaking wiretaps. However, he has kept quiet about the fact that the German government has been wiretapping him since 2009. US President Barack Obama also avoided answering a question regarding the wiretapping of Erdoğan during an interview with Germany's ZDF in January 2014.
I am 100 percent sure that in that particular case ISNA was not fully informed that the panel discussion program is being organized by the Turkish government, which demonizes and oppresses any social group in Turkey that does not pledge complete obedience to Erdoğan's leadership. As a devoted organization that came into being on the basis and ideals of the Quran, the hadith and the sunnah, ISNA can easily realize that a panel discussion program that aims to separate and polarize American Muslims does not match the traditional vision and mission of ISNA's annual conventions.
http://www.todayszaman.com/op-ed_an-open-letter-to-isna_356605.html
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