1

Concept Schools, Illinois, and the Gulen Movement

Introduction

On March 19, 2013, the Illinois State Charter School Commission approved two new Chicago

charter schools to be operated by Concept Schools. The decision reversed a ruling by Chicago

Public Schools.

Concept Schools is a charter management organization associated with the Gulen movement, a

religious group with a global reach that originated in Turkey forty years ago. The movement is

involved with business, media, interfaith dialogue, and Turkish culture promotional activities –

but it is especially known for its focus on establishing schools. People in Turkey are familiar

with the movement and aware of its connection to certain Turkish

schools. People in other countries who are not familiar with the

movement may only notice that a local school is “Turkish-run.”

To date, members of the Gulen movement have opened hundreds of private schools in over 100

countries around the world, as well as 135 charter schools in the United States. The creation of

charter school law presented the Gulen movement with the opportunity to establish schools in the

US that would be fully funded by American taxpayers.

The founders of Concept Schools opened the movement’s first charter schools in 1999, two

Horizon Science Academy schools in Ohio. Today, Concept is a regional organization that

operates 27 charter schools in seven Midwestern states, two of which are Illinois: the Chicago

Math and Science Academy and Quest Charter Academy in Peoria.

This report will provide readers with a basic understanding about the Gulen movement, its

structure in the US, and some of the activities in which it is engaged, especially as they relate to

the movement’s charter schools in Illinois. It contains the following sections:

Page 2: A brief overview of the Gulen movement

Page 3: The secretive and controversial and nature of the Gulen movement

Page 4: The structure of the Gulen movement’s “web of organizations” within the US

Page 6: Gulen movement organizations in Illinois

Page 7: Concept Schools and the Gulenist Turkish American Society of Chicago

Page 9: The case of Quest Charter Academy and Caterpillar ex-CEO Glen Barton

Page 10: The Gulen movement’s subsidized, guided trips to Turkey

Page 10: Illinois public officials, VIPs, and the Gulen movement

Page 15: Conclusion

Page 16: References

The real motivation of the Gulen movement -- charter schools and all -- is to accumulate political and financial resources to further the transformation of Turkey itself, according to Joshua Hendrick, assistant professor of sociology and global studies at Loyola University in Maryland and perhaps the leading U.S. scholar of Gulen. – Portland Press Herald (1)

2

A brief overview of the Gulen movement

“Gulen movement” is the most commonly used term for the group of individuals who follow the

teachings of Fethullah Gulen, a charismatic and controversial Turkish Muslim preacher.

Members refer to themselves as Hizmet (“service”). This group is widely known in Turkey as the

cemaat (“The Community”). Historically, new members have been recruited at the movement’s

tutoring centers, dormitories, and schools.

It is estimated that there are between three and six million members of the Gulen movement. The

total population of Turkey is approximately 80 million, 99% of who are classified as Muslim

(mostly Sunni). As with all religions, beliefs and degree of practice vary.

The precise number of [Fethullah Gulen Community] members is difficult to estimate since some publicly deny affinity or membership with the movement. They do not mention his name openly, but may refer to him as ‘hocaefendi’ (master hodja) or ‘he’. Although the movement emerged from Turkey, today it has a global reach. – Jane's Islamic Affairs Analyst (2)

The RAND National Defense Research Institute issued a report in 2008 which provides this

overview of the efforts of the Gulen movement. (3)

“... A web of organizations propagates Gulen’s vision of Islam. These include Fatih

University in Istanbul and an extensive network of schools, hospitals, and charitable and

media organizations, including the mass-circulation newspaper Zaman, television stations

Samanyolu (Milky Way) and Mehtap (Full Moon), and the English-language Ebru

satellite television station in the United States...

“The Gulen movement has also developed a very effective international network beyond

Eurasia, with many adherents in the United States (where the movement’s founder

lives)...

“Gulen himself moved to the United States in 1999 after he was indicted for allegedly

plotting to subvert Turkey’s secular state. He was acquitted in 2006 but has remained in

the United States because his return to Turkey could become a political issue...

“... Also worth noting is TUSKON (Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of

Turkey), a recently established organization that explicitly represents the interests of

conservative Anatolian entrepreneurs in Turkey and abroad... (TUSKON is considered to

be the “fourth leg” of the movement, the other three being its education, media, and

interfaith dialogue activities.)...”

The Gulen movement is highly nationalistic and heavily involved with promoting Turkish

language and culture. The Gulen movement’s media often reports the activities of organization

within the movement’s “web.” Note: Chicago Math and Science Academy’s student involvement

in Turkish competitions has been reported by both Ebru TV and Zaman newspaper.

3

The secretive and controversial nature of the Gulen movement

The Gulen movement’s secretive nature and use of strategic ambiguity has caused repeated

concern in Turkey and elsewhere. Hakin Altinay, current chairman of the Open Society

Foundation in Turkey and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute, told The New

Republic, “No society would tolerate this big of an organization being this untransparent.” (4)

Organizations within the movement’s web, as well as the individuals who are involved, are

extremely reluctant to disclose their affiliation to outsiders. Bill Park, a Senior Lecturer in the

Defence Studies Department at King’s College London and a British expert on Turkish politics

has stated, “Fethullahci are often loath to declare themselves openly as such.” And, “Gulen

institutions do not publicize their Gulen affiliation anywhere they operate.” (5, 6)

Sometimes members are willing to say that they are “inspired by” Gulen. Sometimes

organizations will say that Fethullah Gulen is their “Honorary President,” as does the Niagara

Foundation in Chicago.

Responses from Gulen charter school leaders ● Some teachers "might be influenced" by Gülen, but, [Murat Biyik, acting principal at Beehive Academy] said, "In Turkey almost everyone knows him and gets acquainted with his ideas via mass media and such." – Deseret News (UT), 2009 ● “... Mehmet Argin, principal of Tucson's Sonoran Science Academy, says his school's parent corporation, Daisy Education Corp., "has no legal or organic ties" with other schools. He cautions against linking charter schools founded by Turkish-Americans directly to the Gulen Movement "just because Turkish-Americans may be inspired by Mr. Gulen." – USA Today, 2010 ● [Nihat Guvercin, CEO of Bergen Arts & Science Charter School] said he admires Gulen — just as he admires Gandhi — but his teachers never talk in class about Gulen's philosophy. – The Record

(NJ), 2011

● "Our schools are public charter schools. They're not Turkish schools, they're not Islamic schools. They provide a high quality education," said Salim Ucan, Vice President of Concept Schools. – WEWS TV/NewsNet5 (OH), 2011 ● [Alpaslan Ozdogan, chief executive officer of Young Scholars of Western Pennsylvania] said his only connection to Gulen is that he has read Gulen's books and became inspired by him. – South

Hills Record (PA), 2011

● "There may be people inspired by Gülen who are here. That doesn't make it a Gülen school."... "Being inspired by Gülen, or Martin Luther King Jr., or Gandhi is not a crime," [Triad Math and Science Academy Principal Hakan Orak] told the Indy. – Independent Weekly (NC), 2012 ● In an interview at the Pioneer school, [Baris Icin, the school’s executive director] denied any connection to other Turkish-led schools in the United States or to Gulen. “There is no Gulen influence in the school whatsoever,” said Icin. – Boston Globe (MA), 2013

4

The Gulen movement is highly controversial in Turkey and even feared, as reflected in this CBS

60 Minutes interview with Andrew Finkel, an American journalist who has been reporting from

Turkey for 25 years. (7)

Lesley Stahl: So I guess one of the big questions is what kind of an Islamic leader is

Gulen?

Andrew Finkel: He leads by his own charismatic personality.

Lesley Stahl: Would you call it a personality cult?

Andrew Finkel: Yes...

Lesley Stahl: You know we have confronted real fear about this movement, particularly

when we've tried to get critics to give us an interview. What are they afraid of?

Andrew Finkel: There's a fear of reprisal...

"They claim that these charter schools are independent and have no connection to the Gulen movement, and I said to them: 'That's baloney,' " said William Martin, senior fellow in religion and public policy at Baker Institute of Rice University in Texas, where Gulen followers have set up dozens of charter schools. Martin has followed the movement for years, traveled to Turkey at their expense, and counts its leaders there as friends. “I say to them: ‘Look, there’s nothing wrong with your saying that you are admirers and followers of Mr. Gulen, and to say this is what he stands for and this is what you stand for, “but they say that their lawyers have said that they shouldn’t be open about it.” – Portland Press Herald (8)

The Gulen movement’s “web of organizations” within the US

The 2008 RAND report explained that a “web of organizations propagates Gulen’s vision of

Islam.” This web is an enormous and expanding global network which includes over 300

organizations in the United States. It takes an informed eye to detect their connection to the

Gulen movement.

Gulen’s followers began to establish their organizations in the US around the time Fethullah

Gulen arrived in Pennsylvania. Now fourteen years later, approximately 180 Gulenist Turkish

cultural, interfaith dialogue, and business organizations are operating in nearly every state and

135 charter schools are operating in 26 states.

While the American public’s taxes support the Gulen movement’s charter schools, its other

organizations are financially supported by members. Very specific types of activities are

conducted:

promote Turkish culture via classes, festivals, etc.;

sponsor Turkish language and science competitions (primarily for students attending the

Gulen movement’s schools);

seek access to public officials, academics, and other influential people and VIPs, usually to

offer a gift, an invitation to a special event or honorary dinner, a trip to Turkey, etc.;

5

provide greatly subsidized, guided trips to Turkey to groups (sometimes also awarded to

students as contest prizes);

engage in interfaith dialogue outreach and activities;

host lectures, luncheons and dinners, e.g. “friendship and dialogue” dinners;

promote other Gulenist efforts, for instance, by featuring them on their websites (e.g. Ebru

TV, Today’s Zaman, Helping Hands Relief Foundation, Turkish Review, “sister” and

umbrella organizations, etc.).

The movement’s most recent expansion occurred in 2012 into Vermont, New Hampshire, and

Maine in 2012. Turkish cultural centers were established which immediately organized

receptions at state capitols and took groups of legislators on guided trips through Turkey. A

charter school was attempted in Maine where a new charter school law had just been passed.

The Turkic American Alliance (TAA) is the Gulen movement’s national

umbrella organization for six regional organizations. It was originally

called the “Assembly of Turkic American Federations” (ATAF). ATAF

changed its name to TAA soon after its public launch in May 2010.

The launch was reported by Hurriyet Daily News, a Turkish newspaper not

associated with the Gulen movement, in an article titled “The Gulen movement plays big in

Washington.” (9)

“Six federations, having close proximity to Mr. Fethullah Gülen, joined to form the

Assembly of Turkic American Federations, or ATAF, a non-profit organization...

“I had a chance to talk with some of the congressmen and senators who participated at the

reception. I asked Ms. Gabrielle Giffords, representative from Arizona’s 8th. District,

why she chose to come to a Turkic community gathering, considering that there is a very

tiny Turkic community in her district. Gifford turned and pointed out a young Turkish

man who was standing next to her. According to the congresswoman, that young Turkish

man had visited Gifford's district office several times recently and finally persuaded her

to show up for the reception "even though I do not like to go such events," Gifford said,

before responding my question and telling me that she never heard of Fethullah Gülen.

“The Gülen movement accelerated its activities in US, especially since the leader of the

movement, Fethullah Gülen settled in Pennsylvania about a decade ago. During the mid

’90s, after almost three decades in the making, it was still operating very much under the

radar in Turkey.

“The unexpected and sudden decision to combine all of their 180 organizations under one

umbrella assembly was a surprising move, at any rate, for those who follow the Gülen

movement closely and are aware about its cautious strategies and steps...

“This decision of “combining all Gülen-related Turkic or Turkish associations and

federations under one assembly,” was decided by Fethullah Gülen, another active

member of the movement who came to the reception from a long distance said...”

6

TAA Member Organizations

Council of Turkic American Associations (CTAA, New York)

Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA, Washington DC)

Turkish American Federation of Midwest (TAFM, Chicago)

Turkish American Federation of Southeast (TAFS, Atlanta)

Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (TCAE, Houston)

West American Turkic Council (WATC, Los Angeles)

It is important to note that there are a number of Turkish-American organizations which are not

at all affiliated with the Gulen movement, the majority of which were founded before Fethullah

Gulen arrived in the US. Because of the highly organized and steady manner in which the Gulen

movement has been pressing on its mission, Gulenist-run organizations have surpassed other

Turkish-American organizations in number and influence.

“Secular Turks in mainstream Turkish-American organizations and in the Turkish Foreign Service often note that the secular Turkish diaspora is disorganized, fragmented, and inactive by comparison.” – RAND Corporation

Gulen movement organizations in Illinois

As previously stated, the Turkic American Alliance is the Gulen movement’s national umbrella

organization for six regional organizations. The Turkish American Federation of Midwest

(TAFM) is the regional umbrella organization for local

Gulen movement organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and

Wisconsin.

TAFM member organizations in Illinois:

Turkish American Society of Chicago (TASC)

Niagara Foundation

Islamic Society of Chicago

Chicago Turkish American Chamber of Commerce (CTACC)

Ahiska Turks Cultural Center

Science Academy of Chicago (SAC)

Kyrgyz American Association

Turkmen American Student Organization

Turkish American Academics of Midwest

Students of schools operated by Concept Schools participate in activities sponsored by TAFM

member organizations.

7

Concept Schools and the Turkish American Society of Chicago

Whether incorporated into the formal curriculum or offered in a student club, students who

attend the Gulen movement’s schools around the world receive Turkish language and cultural

instruction. Some students are encouraged to participate in regional annual Turkish language and

cultural competitions sponsored by organizations that are also associated with the movement.

Winners of those events qualify for the annual International Turkish Olympics (Uluslararası

Türkçe Olimpiyatları), an extravagant pageant held in Turkey. This year marks its 11th

year.

Chicago Math and Science Academy students have participated in such a regional event for the

past five years. In 2013, the sponsor was the Turkish American Society of Chicago (TASC), a

TAFM member organization which is described on its website as “a subsidiary of Niagara

Educational Services.” From a Concept Schools newsletter:

Many Concept-managed schools sent contestants to the pre-eliminations of the

Intercultural Art and Language Contest in mid-February. They contested to be qualified

for the final contest, which will be held in Chicago on March 24, 2013.

Contestants sang songs, recited poems in English, Turkish and Spanish, and performed

Turkish and Hispanic folk dances.

Students from CMSA, IMSA North, IMSA West, GSA, HSA Cincinnati, HSA Dayton

Downtown, HSA Dayton High, HSA Columbus High, MMSA, HSA Lorain, and HSA

Toledo High are qualified for the final. Folk dance groups from HSA Cleveland, HSA

Springfield, HSA Cleveland Middle, HSA Columbus Middle and HSA Toledo are also

qualified for the final.*

TASC’s webpage for this Gulen movement-sponsored student competition for Concept students

features letters of support from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn,

Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, and Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan. More details about the Gulen movement’s outreach to these and other public officials to follow.

* IMSA is Indianapolis Math and Science Academy, HSA is Horizon Science Academy, and MMSA is Michigan

Math and Science Academy. Non-Turkish performances, a category added in 2011 and classified as “foreign,” make

up a distinct minority of all performances. Result archive @ http://turkishlanguage.conceptschools.org/?page_id=19

8

Image 1: This 2008 article is about a “Turkish song and poetry contest” for students attending

schools in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Red-underlined schools are charter schools

operated by Concept Schools. The purple-underlined school, Science Academy of Chicago, is a

private school opened in 2000 by Niagara Educational Services, the original name of the Niagara

Foundation. SAC students are the only non-Concept students who have competed in this event.

The competition has been held in Columbus (2008, 2009), Cleveland (2010, 2011), and Chicago

(2012, 2013). Recall that Zaman is a Gulen movement-operated news agency. (10)

9

The case of Quest Charter Academy and Caterpillar ex-CEO Glen Barton

Quest Charter Academy (QCA) in Peoria, Illinois, opened in the fall of 2010. Members of the

Peoria community visited the Chicago Math and Science Academy in 2009, looking to use it as

their charter school model. QCA was founded by a non-profit called the Peoria Charter School

Initiative (PCSI) which contracted with Concept Schools for management.

The unusual feature of PCSI in comparison to other school organizations associated with

Concept Schools is that no Turkish or Turkic individuals sit on its board. However, QCA has

many of the same characteristics as other Gulen charter schools. Two principals, provided by

Concept, have both been Turkish men. Local teachers are the majority, but Turkish teachers have

been hired for computer, physics, and physical science classes. QCA takes annual Turkey trips.

Glen Barton has been the board president of PCSI. He is the retired CEO of Caterpillar Inc.

(based in Peoria) and also a member of the Illinois State Charter School Commission, the

authorizer that just approved the two new Concept Schools for Chicago.

Immediately after the 60 Minutes broadcast in May 2011, (“U.S. charter schools tied to powerful

Turkish imam”), a local TV station (WMBD-TV) probed into a possible connection between

QCA and the Gulen movement. Both Glen Barton and the school’s principal, a longtime Concept

Schools employee, denied any connection. (11)

“Principal Engin Blackstone says Quest Charter Academy, in no way, has any connection

with controversial Turkish imam, Fethullah Gulen...

“Glen Barton, board president of Peoria Charter Schools, says the board conducted an

investigation into the allegations, twice. The board of directors feels confident there is no

connection between Concept Schools and Gulen.”

.

Image 2: “Concept SW Superintendent” Engin Blackstone (original name is Engin Karatas) and

Glen Barton at a Quest Charter Academy event in November 2012. Photo from QCA website.

10

Of special note is that Caterpillar, Inc. currently has strong interests in Turkey. From “U.S.

Caterpillar firm eyes production line in Turkey.” (World Tribune, September 2012):

ANKARA — A U.S. defense firm has been preparing to invest in Turkey.

The U.S. company Caterpillar has been discussing opening a production line in Turkey.

Caterpillar provides construction and mining equipment to both militaries and the private

sector...

In a briefing on June 21, [Turkish Industry Minister Nihat Ergun] said he met the

president of the U.S. company to discuss massive investment in Turkey. The minister

said Caterpillar, which supplies the Israeli and other militaries with bulldozers used in

counter-insurgency operations, could invest up to $1 billion in production as well as

research and development...

When Barton was inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame in 2012, Caterpillar’s press

release stated, “During his tenure as Chairman and CEO from 1999 to 2004, Barton paved the

way for Caterpillar's leadership in the global mining industry with his strategic vision.”

7. The Gulen Movement’s subsidized, guided trips to Turkey

The Gulen movement has given hundreds of subsidized, guided trips to Turkey to groups of

Americans over the past decade. Trips are offered to public officials, academics, journalists,

religious leaders, and other influential people, as well as to students, parents, and teachers of its

charter schools. Chicago Math and Science Academy, Quest Charter Academy, and the Niagara

Foundation regularly organize such trips.

Itineraries are adjusted according to the type of group. Along with visits to popular tourist and

historical destinations are stops at Gulen movement-associated institutions (e.g. Zaman

headquarters, Samanyolu TV headquarters, Journalists and Writers Foundation, Fatih University,

certain schools, etc.). Another common stop is to meet with local Turkish people who travelers

are told are their trip sponsors. Sometimes travelers are taken into the homes of Turkish families,

possibly as many as three or four different homes during the course of their trip.

It is not known if all the travelers are aware that the individuals with whom they are meeting are

members of the Gulen movement who have either contributed money or are volunteering to host

visitors as their way to help advance the movement’s goals. It is not known if travelers are fully

aware that the interactions their tour guide is facilitating is only with members and businesses

associated with a religious subgroup within the whole Turkish population – a subgroup of which

large numbers of Turkish people are quite wary.

Clearly these sustained, highly affordable and tempting travel experiences are a mechanism by

which the Gulen movement can stream its messaging to dependent groups of targeted Americans

over an extended period of time. It is as important to consider what the travelers are not told

during the course of their trip as it is to consider what they are told.

11

Illinois public officials, VIPs, and the Gulen movement

The Gulen movement uses its organizations, schools, and students to bring its members into

close contact with influential and powerful leaders of Illinois. This section contains some

examples of the tactics.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was visited by students from Chicago Math and Science in

January 2013. In March 2013 he wrote a letter on behalf of TASC giving his support to its

contest for Concept Schools’ students.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has a history of involvement with the Gulen Movement. He was

the featured speaker at a Niagara Foundation event in 2007 when he was serving as Lieutenant

Governor. In 2008 the Niagara Foundation gave him its “Community Service Award.” In March

2013, Quinn wrote a letter on behalf of TASC giving his support to its contest for Concept

Schools’ students.

12

Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza is a former member of the Illinois House of

Representatives. In 2008 she attended the grand opening of the Niagara Foundation’s new office.

When Mendoza spoke at a 2011 Niagara Foundation event she stated, “My mother had the

wonderful experience of being able to travel to Turkey with us a few years back.”(12). In March

2011 she filed the legislative bill (HR0173) which commended Fethullah Gulen. In February

2012 Mendoza visited CMSA and was interviewed for a promotional video. In March 2013 she

wrote a letter on behalf of TASC giving her support to its contest for Concept Schools’ students.

Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan also has a history of involvement with the

Gulen Movement. In 2008 he traveled to Turkey with other Illinois lawmakers on a tour “billed

as a cultural tour of the nation” and “sponsored by Chicago-based Turkish-American business

groups.”(13) A later report indicated that he may have traveled to Turkey again in 2009. It is not

known if the trips are linked to a Gulen movement but the term “cultural tour” is suggestive. In

May 2011 the Niagara Foundation presented Madigan with a gift at its “Intercultural Reception”

for legislators in Springfield. In February 2012, Madigan, his son Andrew, and daughter Nicole,

visited CMSA. Each was interviewed for a promotional video. In March 2013 Madigan wrote a

letter on behalf of TASC giving his support to its contest for Concept Schools’ students.

13

Michael Madigan is a leading member of the “Joint Legislative Task Force on Illinois-Turkish

Relations.” Although not a legislator, his son, Andrew Madigan, is also a member. The bill that

created the task force (HJR0031) was filed by Representative Jack Franks in April 2011. It

was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Pamela Althoff who traveled to Turkey in 2008 with

Madigan, Senator Bill Brady and Representative Dan Reitz. Franks and State Senator James

Meeks traveled to Turkey courtesy of the Niagara Foundation in March 2012. (14)

Senator Meeks sent the following message and photo

(left) to his Twitter followers (@revjamesmeeks) as

his group arrived at Zaman headquarters on March

12: “We are arriving at the news paper for an official

meeting”

It is not known how many Illinois public officials and

VIPs have been on Gulen movement-sponsored and

guided Turkey trips.

In addition to those previously mentioned, a number

of public officials and VIPs visited CMSA during

2011-2012 or 2012-2013, most of whom were

recorded for promotion videos. They include:

Alderman Joe Moore

Alderman Patrick O’Connor

Cook County Clerk David Orr

Illinois Deputy Governor Cristal Thomas

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White

Illinois State Board of Education Chair Gery Chico

Representative Dan Burke

Representative Linda Chapa LaVia

Representative Kelly Cassidy

Representative Toni Berrios

US Congressman Daniel Lipinski

Alderman Moore is a known vocal supporter of CMSA. Congressman Lipinski is the recipient of

campaign contributions from three individuals associated with CMSA: Concept Schools vice

president Salim Ucan ($2,800); Concept Schools CEO Sedat Duman ($500), and CMSA Board

Treasurer Edip Pektas ($500). Pektas also holds a position at New Plan Learning, a company

formed by the founders of Concept Schools. It acquires real estate, constructs school buildings,

and leases facilities to charter schools administered and managed by Concept Schools. (15)

The Gulen movement’s Awards

The Niagara Foundation has held annual “Peace and Dialogue Awards” ceremonial dinners at

least since 2006. It gave its 2009 “Media Award” to the Chicago Tribune. The recipient of its

2012 “Media Award” was Chicago Tribune CEO Tony Hunter. The Tribune’s Senior Vice

President/Editor Gerould Kern visited CMSA in April 2012 and was interviewed for a

promotional video.

14

Just one week after the Illinois State Charter School Commission approved two new Chicago

charter schools to be operated by Concept Schools – and in the midst of public outrage caused by

Chicago Public Schools and Mayor Emanuel’s decision to close a massive and nationally

unprecedented number of schools – the Chicago Tribune published an editorial urging residents

to embrace Concept Schools’ expansion in Chicago. (16)

The Niagara Foundation gave its

“Education Award” to Arne Duncan in

2007 when he was CEO of Chicago

Public Schools. As US Secretary of

Education, Duncan was the recipient of

another award in 2010, this time from

the Rumi Forum, a DC-based

organization which names Fethullah

Gulen as its “Honorary President.”

Senior Advisor Kenneth Bedell accepted

the award for Duncan and praised

Fethullah Gulen during his speech. (17,

18)

The Niagara Foundation gave its 2008 “Education Award” to Northwestern University President

Henry Bienen. Bienen is now a member of the Chicago Board of Education. The Niagara

Foundation gave Secretary of State Jessie White the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2010.

White has been a featured speaker at a Niagara Foundation event. White’s Capitol Building

office was the venue for the Niagara Foundation’s 2012 reception for legislators. He was also

recorded for a promotional video by CMSA when he visited the school in February 2012.

Chicago Math and Science Academy took its students to the State Capitol to lobby powerful

legislators for charter schools (from CMSA’s June 2012 newsletter).

Just one month earlier on March 12

th, Representative Chapa LaVia, now Chairperson of the

Illinois General Assembly Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, had visited CMSA

and was interviewed for a promotional video.(21)

15

Conclusion

Gulen himself lives in the Poconos, a rural tourist hub in northeast Pennsylvania. He inspires his followers from America, making him, among other things, the most powerful figure in the world of American charter schools. – American Foreign Policy Council (19)

Since 1999, the Gulen movement has been aggressively expanding its network of taxpayer-

funded charter schools. The US media – the institution most American citizens trust for keeping

them well informed – have mostly neglected report the presence and dimensions of this

phenomenon. Charter school authorizers have given aid to the Gulen movement by looking the

other way.

Without public awareness, ongoing open discussion and debate, no consensus can be reached

about the Gulen movement’s involvement in so many charter schools being totally benign. The

movement’s members and sympathizers may present the movement that way, but a number of

examples contradict their claims.

The best compilation of those contradictions is in a summary written by Citizens Against Special

Interest Lobbying in Public Schools (CASILIPS) which states: “The single most distinguishing

feature of the Gulen Movement is the massive effort it devotes to creating a public image of

itself that is strikingly at odds with reality...” (20)

The American public deserves to know much more about the Gulen movement and its leader

who has been called “the most powerful figure in the world of American charter schools.” This

paper provides an opportunity for Chicago residents to inform themselves about the Gulen

movement, and possibly help them with bringing some of the issues into the light.

Sharon Higgins

March 30, 2013

perimeterprimate@gmail.com

16

References

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http://www.pressherald.com/news/proposed-charter-school-linked-to-turkish-imam_2013-02-17.html

2. Jane's Islamic Affairs Analyst, “Gulen Movement: Turkey’s Third Power.” 2/1/2009,

http://tool.donation-net.net/Images/Email/1097/Gulen_movement.pdf

3. RAND National Defense Research Institute, “The Rise of Political Islam in Turkey.” 2008,

http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG726.pdf

4. The New Republic, "The Global Imam." 11/10/2010,

http://www.tnr.com/article/world/magazine/79062/global-turkey-imam-fethullah-gulen?page=0,0).

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http://www.globalpolitician.com/25355-fethullah-gulen-turkey)

6. Transitions Online (CZ), “In Albania, Madrasas Even the Secular Love.” 10/19/2012,

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7. CBS 60 Minutes, "US charter schools tied to powerful Turkish imam." 5/13/2012,

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57433131/u.s-charter-schools-tied-to-powerful-turkish-

imam/?tag=contentMain;cbsCarousel).

8. Portland Press Herald (ME), “Proposed Bangor charter school linked to Turkish imam.” 2/17/2013,

http://www.pressherald.com/news/proposed-charter-school-linked-to-turkish-imam_2013-02-17.html

9. Hurriyet Daily News (TR), “The Gulen movement plays big in Washington.” 5/14/2010,

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=the-gulen-movement-plays-big-in-

washington-2010-05-14.

10. Zaman Amerika (TR), “Amerikalılar, Columbus'ta yapılan Türkçe yarışması ile coştu.” 4/14/2008,

http://us.zaman.com.tr/us-tr/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=22738

11. WMBD-TV (Peoria, IL), ‘Quest Academy Principal Denies Connection to Turkish Imam.” 5/14/2011,

http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=245962

12. User niagarafoundation, “Hon. Susana Mendoza, Clerk, City of Chicago, Niagara Morning

Conversations.” 11/21/2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w6RYL1AMtI (@ 01:22 min.)

13. The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL). “Illinois lawmakers on trip to Turkey.” 6/23/2008,

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/illinois-lawmakers-on-trip-to-turkey/article_46e8ca5d-51eb-5bc3-a7fc-

78b0b2297d74.html

14. Blog entry by Civic Leadership Program intern Joseph Ruttenberg, “Turkey Trip!” 3/21/2012,

http://clp2013.blogspot.com/2012/03/turkey-trip.html

15. Business Wire, “Fitch Downgrades New Plan Learning Inc. Project (OH) to 'BB-'” 3/8/2013,

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130308005938/en/Fitch-Downgrades-Plan-Learning-

Project-BB-

16. Chicago Tribune (IL), “1,500 kids.” 3/27/2013, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-

27/news/ct-edit-charter-0327-jm-20130327_1_charter-expansion-charter-school-cps-officials

17. User niagarafoundation, “Niagara Peace & Dialogue Awards 2007 Ebru News.” Uploaded 2/8/2011,

@ 1:20 min., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZj2VgEvpb4

18. User RumiForum, “The Honorable Arne Duncan - 2010 RUMI Peace and Dialogue Awards - Rumi

Forum.” Uploaded 11/26/2010, @ 2:00 min.,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOjne7Wp2EE&feature=player_embedded

19. American Foreign Policy Council, World Almanac of Islamism, “Fethullah Gulen Movement.” Last

updated 3/12/2013, http://almanac.afpc.org/fetullah-g%C3%BClen-movement#

20. CASILIPS, “Image vs. Reality.” 11/12/2012, http://turkishinvitations.weebly.com/image-vs-

reality.html

21. CMSA interviews of public official and VIPs

YouTube user CMSA7212 @ http://www.youtube.com/user/CMSA7212/videos?view=0&flow=grid

YouTube user cmsavip @ http://www.youtube.com/user/cmsavip/videos?flow=grid&view=0

YouTube user Mycmsa @ http://www.youtube.com/user/Mycmsa/videos?view=0&flow=grid