Hizmet in Africa: An Update on the Activites of the Gulen Movement

An international conference on the Gulen Movement took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 19 May 2016. I was invited to give a presentation on Hizmet in Africa. My remarks summarized my book on this subject, Hizmet in Africa: The Activities and Significance of the Gulen Movement, and updated the Gulen Movement's situation in Africa since publication of the book last fall.

Turkey's Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa

London-based Chatham House published in September 2015 my research paper titled "Turkey's Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa: Shifting Alliances and Strategic Diversification."  The paper analyzes all aspects of the rapidly expanding relationship between Turkey and Sub-Saharan Africa.  In view of the numerous challenges facing Turkey, however, the paper suggests that Ankara over the short-term may become more insular and be less focused on expanding its efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Today's Zaman, a Gulen-affiliated daily in Istanbul, published on 22 October 2015 an article titled "Report Reveals Repercussions of AK Party Fight against Gulen Movement in Africa" that drew from the Chatham House report.  Only a small section of the Chatham House report deals with the Gulen Movement; most of it concerns Turkey's relations with Sub-Saharan Africa.   

My New Book Hizmet in Africa Now Available

My most recent book, Hizmet in Africa: The Activities and Significance of the Gulen Movement, is now available through Tsehai Publishers in Los Angeles.  This is the only book-length work that analyzes the multifaceted activities in Africa of the followers of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in exile in rural Pennsylvania since 1999.  The book covers the philosophy of Gulen and the educational, business, dialogue, humanitarian, and media activities of Hizmet in Africa.  It also deals with the relationship between the movement and the government of Turkey.  The paperback edition sells for $19.95. 

Turkish NGO in Africa

The Turkish-language paper, Zaman Amerika, asked me to respond to several questions concerning the Gulen-affiliated non-governmental organization known as Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anyone There?), which has relief projects in Turkey and many countries around the world.  I am finishing a book on the Gulen Movement in Africa and did research on Kimse Yok Mu's activities there.  The interview has been translated into Turkish.

The Turkish English-language Sunday Zaman  wrote an article based on the interview dated 9 November 2014 titled "Turkey Will Hurt Own Interests if Gov't Shuts Down Kimse Yok Mu."