Over the past decade, followers of the mysterious Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen have opened scores of charter schools in the U.S., inspired by a man who is as powerful as he is reclusive. Lesley Stahl reports.
My children are in a charter school that is supposedly connected with the "Gulen" charter school network. Look, I don't give a crap if the guy who started these schools is Muslim, Buddhist, Atheist, Christian, pink or purple, hell, a Martian....this is the best school my children have ever attended. They are pushed, academically, more than any other public school they've attended. They are held to high standards and have risen to meet them. And I review everything they study and do for homework- there is absolutely zero mention of islam/muslim *anything* except in the brief World Religions module of social studies where they also learned about all other major world religions. Their principal is out in the parking lot every morning opening car doors in the cold, rain, wind, he is present at every function, every art night, every school picnic, and all with his BEARDLESS face (real hard-core "Muslim", right?). The idea that they are doing anything to these children is absurd. They may be getting contract kickbacks through their networks but if you dig into public schools and school board officials, you'll find the SAME THING going on in public schools....that's simply American capitalism at work. Just because the founders of these types of schools are Muslim does not automatically make them terrorists anymore than your Christian school board members being members of Westboro Baptist. Everybody just calm down. Their schools are excellent.
+Melissa Richard Fake Gulenist profile 1) Gulen is no islam he is organized crime cult, other muslims do not identify or recognize him 2) They are not academically sound most of their schools are on academic watch or below average. As well as education in Turkey being below standard on OECD rankings 32 out of 34 countries 3) Is your kid in one of the schools raided by the FBI? It's a matter of time, you should get your exit visas, Americans don't want you near their children or stealing millions of their tax money indended for education. It's not your money or your country, you have no loyalty to America or Turkey only to the cult.
You're insane...LOL. Conspiracy theorist much? I don't know about any of these other schools you're referring to, but my children's school is very academically sound. Highest test scores in the area, but aside from the standardized-test-zombie BS, there are more kids in academically challenging programs outside of school (like Duke TIP, for example). Also, not MY money or MY country? Bwahahahahaha, I was born in little ol Easley, SC, raised spending summers drinking Cheerwine on my granddaddy's farm outside Greenwood, went to the University of South Carolina, fought for my country in the US Navy, and now live and work in upstate South Carolina. So, please, do tell what kind of exit visa I need again? Again, you're completely nuts. Don't be mad because my kids are rocking it out at an absolutely excellent school that is jumping light years ahead of the public schools in our area because they're not "teaching the test", they encourage interactive, hands-on learning, they don't cave to corrupt school boards and whiny parents, and they have the results to show their method works. It really must suck to be so paranoid! Wow!
and you are a fraud, that photo is as fake as my Kaz photo. Remember you are under investigation in the USA and Turkey for a reason. If i was you I would have my exit visa ready., when the USA is done with the Gulen Movement they will pull the plug very fast.
No but i wear many different hats. Did you see Robert Amsterdams latest press conference.? Stay tuned "Melissa" you are nuts portraying an American woman (badly)
I think you get it. A coup is not one of a violent takeover etc... it’s a slow long arduous change in the perception of ppl. One day their will be 100 000 of these learners turned professionals in finance, politics and science. They will move in to chambers of power, born and raised American citizens. You won’t even smell them coming. The world would’ve have long forgotten about this video. America is starved of modern thought leadership. These smart kids of today will be the intelligent power brokers of tomorrow. The momentum of the movement is so strong now he need not do or say anything. In fact such publicity is to the detriment of his intentions.
A family member went to a charter school in Manhattan and was honors and principal recognition to 6th Grade in regular public school. Because of boredom applied and won a seat STILL straight As on weekly progress report! READING above grade more structure but some kids who need help on Saturday and summer do not attend. There are no fees only uniform to be purchased and I heard a parent asked why the children has to wear belts? It is founded by a former teacher. The teachers are from a diverse backgrounds and universities. Graduates have access to ivy league schools as well.
12/11 Gulen charter operated school in Louisana that is affiliated with the Harmony Schools in Texas was RAIDED BY THE FBI. Documents and computers were confisicated, it is all tied to Adem Arici who was a Gulenists - sits in Federal Prison confirming where all the money was wired to and from who. Kemal Oksuz who is tied in with Harmony Schools and Turquoise Council (another of the gadzillion front groups of gulenists layered around each school) Turquoise Council spends milllions to bribe American politicians and that money is Taxpayers money intended to educate OUR children not lobbying for Gulen's Turkey. Stay close to the news it's all tied on to the unrest in Turkey with Erdogan and Gulen. There will be changes in Turkey very shortly. Maybe Gulen will finally go back to his home land and stand trial for his original charges of insighting to over throw a secular government. CULTS are so nasty, and organized crime leaves a paper trail all over the world.
Katy - while supporting Gulen movement, you may also provide some thoughts on why over 70% of Turkish citizens (seculars, Kemalists,non-seculars)think and believe Fetullah's movement is a hoax and why Gulen is living in USA? I am having hard time to understand his own nation is not accepting him for known reasons but foreign names like yourself is being his advocate..
Education in America has been so lackadaisical because of government guidelines. It's crazy not to recognize the deficiency and decline in the our Scholastic system. The academic skills have been showing great deficiencies for some time now. If your presence alone can allow you to receive and achieve a diploma. We have truly failed.
I assure you that my interest in propaganda is nothing compared to your ignorance. Kurds and Armenians have been living in Ottoman Empire and Turkey for centuries. It is never possible to observe history objectively when there are people who live only for their self- fulfillment. More Turks than Armenians died during the event that you are talking about; also this has nothing to do with the video, which shows us your ignorance once again.
there was only one picture of another "harmony" school not in texas and even that didn't say harmony. maybe people should ask the students and see what really goes in classrooms?
His motive is nothing but the appreciation of his god. He sleeps in a bed where bed's length is shorter than his length. Even right now he has bunch of money that is used for the sake of Hizmet also called Gulen Movement.
OPERATION GLADIO Turkey aka Counterguerilla(kontrgerilla), aka Gulen, aka the Nur sect(Noor/Nur means divine light or sthg) (intelligence black ops and funding unit all pose as independent legal entities with an obfuscated network) This "movement" killed thouands and imprisoned and tortured hundreds of thousands of nationalists (leftist or not) for 60 years in Turkey, including soldiers, journalists, lawyers, academics. This is all US infiltration, Gulen or not, happened in all resource rich- strategically important countries. Started with our induction into NATO, due to 3 traitors we had in power who signed up for this without a referendum or election -by bypassing any sort of merchanism for a veto, behind people's back.
Even though there's no tie the charter schools in Texas with the Gulen Movement, I liked the way how the program served by providing both negative and positive ideas in a balanced way. I love my job, I love to work in diversity, I never experienced any bad memory while I was working with the students and colleagues who are from any different country or ethnic group or religion....
Katy aka Hakan? or Murat? You know your roots come from Mongolia , Central Asia Turkic Tribes. Most of you have the blood of conquered lands in you: Greek, Armenian, Assyrian, Kurdish, Lebanese, Albania, Bulgaria, and more. stop lying Turkification is happening with the Gulen Movement.
This man is very dangerous, what he does is starting skools everywhere. influencing people. edjecating disciples. and positioning them at important en high funtions. eventualy having power over politicians and the country. Its like a shadow goverment, pulling the strings behind the curtain. Really dangerous.
As a practicing muslim I dont think Americans has ANY worries of so called "Islamic"agenda in this Gulen charter schools. The coverage forgot to mention even woman wearing hijab not allowed. Lord knows if a muslim can pray in these schools or if there's any practising muslim there staff or students.
I think that you have no idea about Turkey because the country is a democratic state ruled by a set of laws. Rape, suicide, and murder rates of Turkey are very low compared to Western countries because of their connection to culture, ethics, and traditions. Please, make some comments if you have any idea about the topic. Thank You.
So basically whoever ran this story has a problem with Turkish people. That's some good old fashioned racism. Good job 60 minutes, I just lost all respect for you. Trying to incite rage against a school that does a terrific job, bravo.
... I guess time will prove that all accusations will melt in the harmony pot by their tolerance and respect and success and huge demand. The one who has no idea and eager to face the reality at all, has right to be jealous with the %100 College Acceptance rate and increasing demand from parents and students. Thank you.
These schools should represent the American people who pay the tax funding for their existence. Example only five percent Muslim both teachers and students. This is a security threat to our country.
sucessful? why does he have to hide from everyone. He went into self-imposed exile to escape being jailed (again) why would I be jealolus of a 5th grade educated Imam that cannot even face reporters.
This is BLATANT propaganda. How dare some cable t.v. show intrude? Get over yourselves, stop putting out commercials, and learn to Love Yourself. None of us have the time to deal with this fear-mongering. Ciao. ---Maestro
I studied 12 years -from the first grade to the end of the High school, one of the schools, of the Gulen movement in Turkey.My school was shut down eventually after July 15th happened and later taken by the goverment officially changed its name "July 15th Martyrs" and reopened as a Public School. As a person been there long time, i have neutural views from both parties claims for what is the matter and what really happened on July 15th Turkey.I agree claims from Turkish government that most of the people involved in July 15th are belonging Gulenist Movement.They were coordinated very well on July 15th and what matters them most importantly is what Gulen movement top senior members "Imams" require from them.Once you involved in these schools, you begin getting along well with them and at some point it always come to the matter to follow their ideology and "the hizmet" what really matters to them since practicing their life.Many people naturally could effect from their personal views and carry on their ideology and finally becoming one of them.This is their basic organizational structure and the main purpose in these charter schools throughout the World so i think you should only consider sending your kids to these charter schools under the obligation of the government of the United States. Like i said, it will always eventualy come to a matter to be one of them or not.Once you are against their idealogy somehow that would be even worse-in Turkey things were really corrupted after people who follow with Gulen movement, due to several disagreements and being against the Turkish government continue making demands only for their best interest.When these demands were denied, they have gone as far as they can like to make an attempt to overthrow the Turkish government with well organizated coup attempt within the role many individual people including many highly ranked Turkish Army officials,many judges defense attorneys and many other along members, who follow up Gulen movement. Finally as i see clearly, US government denies possible extradation of F. Gulen and all other members who continue practicing entire their process behind the all other facts working under Charter schools.I want to say i agree with US government not to consider it occasinally.I believe also that there are reliable evidences that Gulenist are behind this coup attempt.US government expect Turkish government neuturalise their home security after declaring the state of emergency to find out what really happened.Turkish government has to prevent these things are happened no matter who is behind these events.Most of people responsible for July 15th were promoted in the government by the act of Turkish President Erdogan.Their main responsibility is always to make home safe which they failed as July 15th happened. It`s also possible US government does not believe this coup attempt could be organized by F. Gulen himself an imam in self exile in Pennysylvania United States. The other thing, US President Donald Trump cannot either extract a person or retain him residenship without the order of the State Court.There is a process within the Justice Department of a extraction of a person.The US President cannot decide to do so or not to.Pressurising the US government on this particular matter could not sustain a well partnership between Turkey and United States.It would be really annoying at these times. Sorry if i bothered you making it too long and confusing.Somethings were not easy to explain what really happened in Turkey.I just wanted to explain all in my own views whether some people like or not.Please refer these matters once you still consider your children to send these schools.
Open your eyes people... don’t let the religion take over your surroundings... do not trust people who are selling religion ... leave and practice your religion on your own ! Don’t let no one between you and God ! Doesn’t matter what religion. Where all religions first started , there were no expensive material things around .. but now people who are In Religion business they all are Wealthy ????
Did u see the "state of the art technology and one on one" But they get less tax money than public schools. I wonder how they can be better with less money???hmmmm?
I get that CBS is questioning them and stuff but they fly over the fact that these schools are towering over average American schools in academics and helping kids who are in poverty and jumping right into the fact that they’re Muslim. Though it is a nice report coming from someone whose only went to these schools and sites for an interview
money and power expectation is the driver of his movement.. when this two comes together, you can rise very fast and you go down very fast. his close followers/supporters are supporting him with high expectations of having more financial support, power/title or both.. for gods sake, dont even compare that man with Gandhi or MLK..
Did you all know that Harmony schools got approved for 1 school in Washington DC? This was after one of the main applicants stepped down a local Black Muslim convert who was a principal but stepped down from a school after controversy. So why would a Texas School want to open in Washington DC? Our Nation's capital? Maybe some of that Texas Taxpayer's money will cross state lines and you can pay for all the poor kids of DC, hopefully they won't attack the black kids like hey did in Ohio asking them not to wear Afro puffs, or braids to school. Shame on you Gulen Movement.
However they have closed schools (Toledo, OH) under Horizon Science Academy and Pacific Technology School (Orangevale, CA) they are sucking out as much American money as they can via grants, building construction loans etc., this is what they use to lobby with in the USA now they are being cut off by Erdogan, their schools in Turkey are closing, Azerbaijan, Russia, Gambia, Iraq and FBI is crushing them in the USA.
Marie Lewis I was recently terminated from Harmony DC. They have eliminated any Black male educators and staff members that were solely child-first. They have hundreds of thousands of dollars not spent in this school year's budget. Harmony Texas paid for one of the administrator's salary since the school did not have enough money for all three administrators. The administrator they paid for was Turkish. Harmony is a deceptive network of schools that needs close supervision to validate the claims of this video.
Mr. Smith; Very sorry to hear this, I happen to know that a large amount of the students are African American. It only makes sense to have educated Black Male Teachers set an example and give a "father image". The Gulen Movement get's more government money in minority low income neighborhoods Title V. Congresswoman Shiela Jackson Lee from Texas helped to facilitate this school. Texas money crossing over the state lines into Washington DC makes no sense and is if not illegal highly unethical to Texas taxpayers. They don't need 3 administrators for a new school. They want to be near their lobbying in DC and thier mothership RUMI Forum and the new AFAZ that is moving to DC from Texas. Good Hearing from you, I wish you the best of luck in your teaching and please educate others about Hizmet they are dangerous. They have destroyed Turkey. It's now all radical islam and the base for ISIS.
Also, Turks have been living on earth since pre-historic times. They have had their distinctive culture, language and writing system when your ancestors were walking around the Amazon forest in an ape form. I hope that you could take off your horse glasses and see the reality around you. I as a native American support Turks and their involvement. I also don't believe that these highly-qualified teachers and schools are affiliated with Fethullah Gulen because 60 minutes has no evidence.Thank You!
Be careful where you send your kids to school. Big complaint with these charter schools is they hire Turkish teachers that are not certified and pay them much more than the certified US teachers, maybe they have to if the school is s taking part of those teachers pay. Teachers have also complained that grades are manipulated to make it look like the students are doing well. Also there is no lack of qualified US teachers. If you are even considering sending your kids to one of these charter schools, do lots of research, especially if your child is special needs. No they don't teach Islam in school but they do teach Islam on outings, they also post Islamic symbols in the classrooms.
Insanligin iftihar tablosu, ruhu seyyidul enam tabiri sayin Gülene ait.Peygamber efendimiz sas.e böyle güzel tabir kullanmak ancak büyük insanlara yakisir.dünyada daha peygamberimize kullanilmis bu cümlelerin esi benzeri daha yok.görmedim Allah ömrünü uzun etsin
Who are you to be telling someone they are Muslim or not? Alhamdulillah I am a Muslim. Dont tell people what religion they are... I dont know who you think you are but May Allah Help you!
Fethuallah Gulen is the man who will save America and the world. I love this man and his movement and I wish him the best of luck. I wish Gulen's people would open schools in the Dominican Republic and all over Latin America. We need hizmet to save us from ourselves.
I realized that CemaatKaz which is definitely an account created to hate on Gulen movement is insulting others. There is a psychological explanation for this behavior but I want him to understand what I say so I won't write anything complicated.He does not have an argument, something credible talk about, and information about the growing Muslim society around the globe so he is getting nastier by every comment he makes.Just because you are "educated" does not mean you can interact with humansYET