Summary of "İsmail Arı, devletin kara kutusu "Süleymancıları" anlattı: "Erdoğan'ın annesi de bu cemaatte imiş..""
Summary
The video from Birgün TV provides an in-depth analysis of the Süleymancılar Community, a significant religious group in Turkey that has recently come under scrutiny amid rumors of a government operation against it. The community, named after its founder Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan, has historically been a powerful and secretive organization with strong political ties, especially in the Mediterranean region and parts of Central Anatolia. Unlike other religious groups such as the Ismaili, Menzil, or Fethullahist communities, the Süleymancılar are notably closed off, lacking public media outlets like TV channels or magazines, making their internal workings difficult to monitor.
Key points discussed include:
- Geographical and Social Presence: The Süleymancılar have a widespread presence, particularly in the Mediterranean region (Adana, Antalya, Mersin) and Central Anatolia (Karaman, Isparta). They also have a strong international presence in Turkish diaspora communities in Europe.
- Political Influence: The community has long been intertwined with politics, historically supporting center-right parties and sending members to parliament. Notable figures from the community have held parliamentary seats and ministerial roles, and they maintain influence in the judiciary, police, and religious institutions like the Presidency of Religious Affairs.
- Distinctive Characteristics: Members typically dress in a modern style, with men usually clean-shaven or sporting thin moustaches, and women wearing headscarves tied under the chin—a distinctive symbol of the community. They run a vast network of private schools and student dormitories (estimated between 1,000 to 3,000 nationwide), alongside numerous commercial enterprises including markets, companies, and even private hospitals.
- Relationship with Erdoğan: The community had historically close ties with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his family. Erdoğan’s mother, Tenzile Erdoğan, was a member of the community and buried next to its founder in Istanbul’s Karaca Ahmet Cemetery. Erdoğan himself reportedly attended courses and dormitories run by the Süleymancılar during his youth and maintained good relations with them during his early political career, including as mayor of Istanbul.
- Recent Rift and Political Shift: After the death of the previous community leader in 2016, under the new leadership of Alihan Kuriş, the Süleymancılar’s relationship with the ruling AKP deteriorated. The community reportedly supported opposition candidates in the 2019 local elections, leading to tensions such as the demolition of their dormitories by AKP-controlled municipalities in Istanbul.
- Complex Organizational Structure: Unlike other religious groups with centralized foundations, the Süleymancılar operate through numerous small associations and companies created for specific local projects, making them a complex and hard-to-dismantle network.
- Potential Government Crackdown: There are strong indications of an imminent government operation targeting the Süleymancılar, similar to past actions against the Fethullahists. However, the video suggests that such an operation will likely distinguish between activities before and after 2016, possibly to avoid implicating AKP members who had close ties with the community in earlier years.
- Broader Critique: The presenter argues that all religious communities in Turkey benefit from public sector privileges, tenders, zoning plans, and protection, often mobilizing votes for political parties. The core issue, according to the commentary, is not only Süleymancılar but the entire system of religious communities operating parallel to the state, and there is a call for ending their commercial activities and influence within public institutions.
- Ongoing Developments: The Süleymancılar Community is reportedly preparing for the anticipated crackdown, with leader Alihan Kuriş holding meetings with key members to strategize.
The video concludes with a call to monitor the situation closely as the potential government operation unfolds, emphasizing the complexity and significant influence of the Süleymancılar Community in Turkey’s political, social, and economic spheres.
Presenter/Contributor
- İsmail Arı
Category
News and Commentary
