Gülen: News are Intentional, My Health is in Good Shape
One of the leading thinkers of Turkey, Fethullah Gülen, answered questions asked by Samanyolu television (STV) on Wednesday regarding whether or not he would return to Turkey. He said the speculations about his poor health conditions are misleading and that he has no problems related to his heart or diabetes.
As for his return to Turkey, Gülen said that for now he has no thought of returning Turkey and underlined, "When I return, I will return on my own terms. There is no reason for me not to return and no obstruction to my return either."
STV interviewed Gülen on the phone yesterday during the prime time news hour.
What is your heart's condition? What kind of a treatment do you follow? What are you careful about?
Doctors say my heart muscles are strong. I have heart disease; however, apparently no serious problem exits. Of course this depends in part on keeping my cholesterol level steady. I see that it is also very good. Diabetes too must be kept under control. Right now, it cannot be said that I have a serious problem with either my heart or with my diabetes.
How do you feel? How do these illnesses affect your daily life?
I do not dwell on the effects of the diseases. I do what I have to do. I read, take notes and try to write a little. I see guests who come to visit me. They sometimes follow what I say. These are posted on Internet sites. My life runs a normal pace. Apparently no problem exists.
Some news came out on some Internet sites in Turkey that you were in a diabetes coma. What do you think about these kinds of news?
I don't want to get into these conspiracy theories. In the June case, it occurred as such. That time, some prominent names of the state said, "This is a conspiracy." Somme said, "The state does not engage in conspiracy." To what he was referring to, I wouldn't know. Later, according to some, there had been a need for such an incident. I was told, "Some siphoning needed to be completed and it needed to be camouflaged." I wouldn't know. I do not trust these much. I do not want to accept those either, but they said so. With such news, someone must have something to gain. They will not reach their desires. I wish so. Some possibilities run in my mind. "That he is in diabetes coma, he will come to Turkey, he will not come to Turkey." They create excitement. A possibility. Some want to reach a goal with these. I am ashamed that the media would engage in such folly with this false news.
Some who do not act in commonsense on the issue were in a hurry. These will also feel shame very soon since they were in a hurry. I neither have problematic diabetes, nor am I in a coma.
Right now, speculations abound about whether or not you will return to Turkey. Have you made a decision to return or not?
Since the moment I have come here, I have always thought about returning to Turkey. I live here with the dreams of Turkey. I watch Turkey on television. I have soil from 70 different places in Turkey; I smell them like a rose. I placed them into a window screen. I watch Turkey through these pieces of land. My love for Turkey is beyond those who seem as if they love Turkey. To me [this love] is madness. However, so far my friends have told me: "Fabricated news are constantly published about your heart condition and diabetes and these could harm you. This place in the country side, it is better for you to stay here." My close friends make these sorts of recommendations to me. I in return bear the yearning for Turkey and feel it as if someone were stabbing me with a spear; however, so as not to be a tool for others and not to be worn out I think for now I will remain here. When I want to return to Turkey, some authority figures clearly said that it is no problem for me to return to Turkey, ministers said this. If I come to Turkey, I will do it on my own terms. With crowds, with people etc. I have hated showing off and some similar things since the old days.
The interpretations about your return exist and these speculations are put forward to keep you away from Turkey. How do you evaluate these?
This is a possibility. They will prevent my return by publishing news that the security forces are on alert, that the gendarme are on alert. Since the law allows me to return, I could return and no one could do anything. I do not have such a congregation. I am a person who is sober. I have always lived like so and I wish to reunite with my Allah as so.
In the process of accession to the European Union (EU), people want to ignite incidents to ambush this process. In a period in which the credibility of the country rises, when we hold the NATO summit in Istanbul, when various world leaders come to Turkey for meetings, when kind regards for Turkey exist, when Turkey's credibility is being rejuvenated in the world, I guess in such a period, these things being carried out by those who do not favor Turkey are overshadowing all these [positive] things. Some come up with fabricated news. Our nation will act calmly towards these. When they run across provocation they do not entertain these. They maintain poise.
They killed me a few times
So far, they have killed me a few times. Wherever they want to achieve, I did not die and I am here. Perhaps I will recite Fatiha Surah behind them after they die. I will pray for them to be forgiven by Allah. Then, I will return to my country that I yearn for God willing. I watch my cholesterol. I walk on the treadmill. I walk nearly an hour. As I do not have any problem with any one, I do not have any problem with diabetes either. My high blood pressure is taken a few times a day. There is no problem.
I do not approve of those who demonstrate
I don't want any one to hold demonstrations when I return. If any one does it, I before Allah will not approve this and I want whole world to hear this. However, in order to hinder my return, these kinds of fabricated news are generated, meanwhile, some people provoke some security forces to pressure Muslims and to obstruct the EU accession process and to close down the firms owned by Muslims and to go after these people. They want to raid a few places. They make denunciations by saying, "These things are performed in such and such places." They say, "They will welcome Hodjaefendi they have placards in hands." Forgive me, they lie. It is the duty of security forces to raid places, they take some in custody and some are provoked. They could find a few provocateurs and add some people to those.
Letters reading, "Please come back" in tears
Some of our Muslim brothers in tears send emotional letters that read, "Please come back, we are longing for you. We love you." But, I do not take them personally. If these people take the said issues into consideration, I believe they will give up on these considerations. There were those who said, "Let's find another place for you." Some said, "South Africa is better," as an alternative place. They say, "There democracy is advanced." I have not come across any problems here. I live in a small house in the woods and I do not consider returning. When I return it will return my own terms. There is no reason for me not to return and there is no obstruction to my return.
I have been for [Turkey's] accession to the EU
Turkey has been living in the process of entering the EU since 1960. Every government made some efforts in that direction. Mr. Turgut [Ozal], Mr. Bulent [Ecevit] and other statesmen put tremendous efforts into this. It is impossible not to praise these efforts. Regardless of whom, these need to be praised. The issue has this side. I am of the opinion that all these things are extremely beneficial for Turkey. Turkey seems like it is reclaiming its credibility in the region. I have always been for entering the EU. Even the times some called it a Christian club, I said, "Who ever has some doubts about their belief or religious works let them withdraw." I have close relations with Europe. I explain my culture to them. I pour my feelings and thoughts into their minds. They will know us closely and better.
Turkey heads in good direction
Turkey is getting better. So far, many government heads give support to this issue. They brought that up to a certain level. Who knows, to conclude this could rest with the civilians' initiative. They will put the final dot [on the matter], but there are some who are disturbed by this and who do not want Turkey to grow. There are those who do not want the credibility of the country to rise. Perhaps, they do not want us to enter EU. There are those who are disturbed by democracy. They will have the benefits of the freedom of religion and consciences, There are those who only think of themselves. There are such bigots, and there always will be. The EU, in my opinion, is a place where Turkish people want. I wish, with God willing, this comes true, the date is taken and then, the process starts.. (Bahtiyar Kucuk, Sedat Gulmez)
- Created on .