I have never imagined being or wished to be chosen as something important in the world. I have always tried to be a humble servant of God and a humble member of humanity.
I think the United States is mindful of its reputation for its democracy and rule of law, and if they are willing to risk that reputation by extraditing me based on the request and claims made by Turkey, I would never say no. I would go willingly.
I suffered during the military intervention of May 27, 1960, and then again on March 12, 1971 and again on September 12, 1980, and I was targeted February 28, 1997. My respect for the military aside, I have always been against interventions.
We invite our friends who hold high positions in the legislative branch of government and state institutions to master the skills of administration, so they could, when the time comes, reform the Turkish state and make it more fruitful at all its levels in the name of Islam.
Islam abhors and absolutely condemns terrorism and any terrorist activity.
I am neither a sociologist nor a psychologist, but you don't have to be one to see that Turkey is in a vortex of problems, isolated from the world.
When the opportunities come, Cemaat participants, just like any other citizen will make their choices based on their values.
I consider myself an ordinary Muslim who is constantly working to put himself in the framework established by the Koran and the tradition of the Prophet Mohammed. I study the works of experts of jurisprudence, Koranic commentary, hadith commentary, and Sufism.
Savage people realize their aims through fighting, through conflict. Cultivated and intellectual souls believe that they will attain their aims through thought and discussion.
I have never imagined being or wished to be chosen as something important in the world.
I probably will not live to see Turkey become an exemplary democracy, but I pray that the downward authoritarian drift can be stopped before it is too late.
Even if, at the helm of the country there are people who would like to replace me and suppress me and oppress me at the level of blood-sucking vampires, then I do not want to remove them with anti-democratic means. This is my attitude toward any and even the idea of the consideration of a military coup.
The principles and form of government that form the basis of democracy are compatible with Islamic values.
Islam's basic principles of belief, worship, morality, and behavior are not affected by changing times. Islam does not propose a certain unchangeable form of government or attempt to shape it. Islam has never offered nor established a theocracy in its name.
We will never be a part of any plot against those who are governing our country.
Profiling any segment of society and viewing them as a threat is a sign of intolerance.
I don't have a need to promote myself.
I don't see a bright future for Turkey. It pains me. But I have some hope, I pray for it to be better. It is a blessed country, a NATO member, and was an E.U. candidate. These were things we wanted.
My message to the Turkish people is never to view any military intervention positively because through military intervention, democracy cannot be achieved.
If somebody who appears to be a Hizmet sympathizer has been involved in an attempted coup, he betrays my ideals.
My position on democracy is really clear. Any attempt to overthrow the country is a betrayal to our unity and is treason.
Regardless of their religious observance, citizens can and should unite around universal human rights and freedoms, and democratically oppose those who violate them.
Erdogan's persecution of his people is not simply a domestic matter. The ongoing pursuit of civil society, journalists, academics and Kurds in Turkey is threatening the long-term stability of the country.
Entrepreneurs and volunteers inspired by Hizmet's values have invested in modern education and community service in more than 150 countries.
I have always believed in seeking happiness in the happiness of others and the virtue of seeking God's pleasure in helping His people.
Throughout my life, I have publicly and privately denounced military interventions in domestic politics. In fact, I have been advocating for democracy for decades.
I even reject and condemn in the strongest terms the idea, the consideration of a military coup. If I had the chance I would stand in front of the people who would attempt such a thing and open my arms and beg them to stop.
I have always tried to be a humble servant of God and a humble member of humanity.
The lesser jihad is our active fulfillment of Islam's commands and duties.
I grew up in a humble family with a shy personality.
Telling or encouraging people to vote for a party would be an insult to peoples' intellect.
If I were to say anything to people I may say people should vote for those who are respectful to democracy, rule of law, who get on well with people.
