In recent years, sects and communities have come into the limelight with disgusting, scandalous cases such as abuse of children in their schools, dormitories and courses. The problem has turned into a routine; after the judiciary intervenes, it falls off the agenda until a new scandalous development emerges.
We saw the last example of this when it was revealed that Fatih Nurullah, the leader of the Uşşaki Sect, sexually abused a 12-year-old girl.
While the reactions to the scandal was still fresh, Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü - known as “Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca” [Ahmet Hoxha with Islamic long topcoat] - who is the spokesperson for the İsmail Ağa Community which has a close relationship with the government, told CNN Turk reporter Ahmet Hakan on September 10: “There are 2 thousand Salafi (*) associations. These associations are arming themselves. They are preparing for civil war, especially in the Batman and Adıyaman [cities in eastern Turkey] regions. İzmir is overflown!”
Research by Professor Esergül Balcı, who has faced investigations for doing such research on sects, revealed that there are 1 million children in the hands of such organisations.
The leader of the Uşşaki Sect was arrested by the court. It seems that if the prosecutors deepen the investigation, other claims against this figure will come to light. But there is no explanation or indication as to whether there has been an investigation into the allegations of Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca!
We have yet to hear on the topic from the Minister of the Interior Süleyman Soylu, who is usually quick to react and comment on every issue, and made the term “throwing one's hat into the ring” his management style.
However, claims that two thousand Salafi associations in Turkey are arming themselves, preparing for a civil war is a very serious allegation. That is, such a serious claim is one to expect a response from not only the Minister of the Interior, but also from all government officials, including the President.
If they see this claim as a delusion and believe that “Cübbeli talks nonsense”, then an investigation should be launched against Cübbeli for attempting to provoke the public. But we have heard nothing in this regard either.
It’s a grave situation for the authorities, especially the Minister of the Interior, to be remaining silent against these claims, which can be explained by either:
* The claims are within our knowledge, there is no illegality in the situation and therefore there is no issue that requires opening an investigation into
Or
* The claims do not carry any weight or truth. Cübbeli has made the claims for the interests of his own community.
If the associations that Cübbeli referred to are being monitored and the authorities believe are operating within the law, then the public must be informed of this. But if Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca made the claims in interest of his community, then it should be stated that there is no truth to the claims and he made the statement to provoke the public, which should require an investigation. Neither of these explanations have been made.
If this deep silence remains and such an important claim is left unanswered by Soylu, this in itself is extremely meaningful. This is because the Minister had adopted a style of responding quickly and furiously to any questions directed at him or any criticism of his practices. In fact, he once condemned the Constitutional Court (AYM) for cancelling a provision that banned demonstrations and marches from being held on intercity roads.
Targeting the President of the Court, Soylu said: “Since you have approved the abolition of the right to walk freely in the main streets and streets, then you don't need police protection. I am telling the AYM President ‘I am ready to travel alone with my own car without police protection, but are you up for it?’”
“Can you go out without protection? I can, but you can’t.”
Soylu previously criticised The Republican People's Party (CHP) over the same issue, saying “shame on you”, which makes his disregard of the claims that 2 thousand Salafi associations are preparing for a civil war even more incomprehensible.
Of course, the irony is not lost on the claim that a Minister of the Interior of a country will say that he is able to go out onto the streets without protection while the President of the Constitutional Court or any citizen cannot do so freely. It is a confession that he has failed in his duty. Because if a citizen, and especially the President of the Constitutional Court of Turkey cannot go outside without protection, it is not a result of the laws on freedoms but the Minister of the Interior in the country.
In short, the Minister of the Interior’s uncharacteristic silence on the claims by Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca strengthens the claims that the government has a soft spot for religious organisations such as sects, congregations and “Salafi associations”.
The other aspect of the discussion, which stems from Prof Balcı's claim that sects have 1 million children will be tackled in the days ahead.
(*) Salafism is the belief that Islam needs to return to the mentality of the 7th and 8th centuries. Organisations such as Isis and al-Qaeda, which we all have been following in recent years, are typical examples of Salafism.
İhsan Çaralan
Bülent Falakaoğlu
Hakkı Özdal
