Islamophobia Network Targets Top Performing American Schools

This September, I was interviewed by a communications firm on the topic of Islamophobia. The firm is planning a campaign to counteract Islamophobia in America and was conducting interviews with Washington policymakers who have addressed this topic. The interview came on the heels of a Center for American Progress (CAP) report published last month, called "Fear Inc: The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America," which found a well-financed, well-organized network of advocates, experts and media partners conducting a strategic campaign throughout America and "spreading hate and misinformation," as CAP put it.

Islamophobia is on the rise in America, but this is hardly surprising. Scan recent American history to witness the consistent creation of an "other", whether it was anti-Catholicism and anti-Semitism in the 19th century (and beyond), the first Red Scare in the early 1900s, the Japanese-American scare and second Red Scare in the mid-1900s, or the Muslim American scare in the early 2000s. There is purpose here. When entire races, religions or regions are dehumanized, it is easier to wage war, expel immigrants, and forge new, discriminatory (or oppressive) domestic and foreign policies to deal with these vilified populations.

Turkish-Americans are the latest to feel the heat. Despite serving as NATO's number two troop supplier and recently agreeing to host a NATO radar defense system, Turkey is often accused by Washington for contradicting US foreign policy aims and objectives when negotiating with Iran, Syria, Israel and Libya. Additionally, Turkey's market-friendly version of political Islam has often rubbed the West the wrong way.

Now, targeted discrimination aimed at the Turkish American community is centering on a Turkish educational effort, which was identified in CAP's "Fear Inc" report. The new supposed Turkish threat to America: "Muslim Gulen schools, which [members of the Islamophobia network] claim would educate children through the lens of Islam and teach them to hate Americans". The authors of the CAP report flatly reject this assertion, however, saying that the schools started by Turkish-American Fethullah Gulen are "nothing of the sort" and that "they are a product of moderate Turkish Muslim educators who want a 'blend of religious faith and largely western curriculum'."

CAP is on to something. Two Gulen charter schools ranked 5th and 6th on Newsweek's 2011 Top Ten Miracle High Schools and two Gulen schools ranked 144th and 165th on Newsweek's 2011 list of America's 500 Best High Schools. So what is going on here? Gulen talks of peace and tolerance and was compared by Georgetown professor John Esposito to the Dalai Lama and praised by Madeleine Albright and James Baker III for his advocacy of democracy and dialogue. You would think this is the type of Muslim that America wants. While I recognize that there are legitimate concerns regarding the use of public funds for these charter schools, and concerns about the Gulen movement's democratic proclivities in Turkey, it seems that at the heart of this is an undercurrent of phobia about Islamic teaching in America.

Having received my high school diploma from a Christian school and my master's degree at a Mennonite university, which received funding from the US State Department, I know how comfortable this country is with Christian education. Islamic education, however, remains new. The Khalil Gibran International Academy in New York, for example, which aimed to teach Arabic and train students to become "ambassadors of peace and hope", was vilified as having a "jihadist" agenda. Teachers were termed "terrorists" and founders were called "9/11 deniers," to which Georgetown's Esposito responded: "It's an agenda to paint Islam, not just extremists, as a major problem."

All of this is new to many Americans, and it is likely scary, especially since the prevailing association vis-à-vis Islam is violence. We have few notions of Islam and nonviolence, in large part because our fear has focused on the extreme outliers and because our largely Christian nation has not yet fully embraced -- in media, policy, education or law -- religious diversity, no matter how nonviolent, peaceful and tolerant the religion's majority. It is time we do so. There is much to embrace -- if only we open our eyes to it.

Michael Shank is a doctoral candidate at George Mason University's School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, a board member of the National Peace Academy and an associate at the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict.

 

Follow Michael Shank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Michael_Shank

Comments

[gulen charter]

04:52 PM on 10/27/2011

i am so confused about those conversations gulen movement and gulen charter schools are good or bad

I saw so many gulen charters blog such as

http://gulenchartersschools.blogspot.com/

you cannot understand what it is about. interesting

[fanofeagles]

10:41 PM on 10/06/2011

We should get rid of The BIAS. Thanks Steve Jobs.

[gulennewsfraud]

03:17 AM on 10/04/2011

What I find striking that does deserve an answer to me as well as to all the readers, How is it that Mr. Shank is a PHd. canadate from Geaorge Mason University and the school recently recieved 4.5 million from a Turkish (gulen follower) business man. There was also a visit to the school by PM Erdogon of Turkey to the school , now we see this article in favor and defence to Gulen and to his charter school? Mr. Shank need to answer in regards as to what inspired him to write such an article. Was it money? His connection to the school? A guarenteed PHd? We have to ask.

[teachtolerance]

01:33 PM on 09/29/2011

It truly is disappointing that after all these years we are still up against the same ignorant fear we faced so many times before. I myself work for a very successful public charter school system. Our staff is predominately American and our students are a mixture from all ethic groups. In our eyes there is no difference between students based on their ethnic background so why should it matter for our staff members? The only thing that matters is that we provide them with the best academic opportunity possible. Better education is the reason why we have so many parents apply to our school system. It is a shame that some groups are so scared of different races and religions that they are willing to take something as precious as education away from them.

[cacteach]

10:28 PM on 09/28/2011

As a white, American, Catholic teacher who works for HSA, I am amazed at the comments from media and other groups about these schools. These schools are growing because of their dedication to helping children succeed in life. 90% of the teachers that work in these schools are non-islamic people who all have one purpose, the same as any public school teacher is they want to help children succeed. These schools, as most if not all charter schools, pay their teachers less, get less money from the govt but provide better education to our students. BETTER education is the reason parents are taking students out of public schools and enrolling them at Harmony. The other key point is discipline. Student discipline in public schools is out of control. The students control the schools not the staff. At Harmony, like private schools, the rules and policies are enforced in order to allow a safe learning environment. This is an important fact that no one mentions. Students need rules, boundaries, etc. Without it learning can not and will not happen. Nobody is perfect, no school is perfect, but at least they are taking steps forward vs the publc school spiral decline.

[adoptTRUTH]

11:02 AM on 09/30/2011

So if you are really an American Catholic Teacher working for HSA (highly doubtful) you should be equally disturbed that this group is purchasing up old Catholic Schools and converting them to their Science Academy model which also is teaching Turkish Character, Turkish language and culture. A ethnicity that is prejudice toward all non-Turkish people in their country and has oppressed many of the indigenous people of Turkey.
Lets take Syracuse Science Academy for example, a former Catholic School, this "group" purchased it for a mere $300K, the landlord is in Turkey. Their school pays an overinflated amount of rent per month of $20K ($240K a year) which over 5 years will be over $1 million for an old run down building. This educational funds intended for students instead go to travel expenses for members of the local media, academia and politics to stage tours of Turkey so they will approve more of the schools, etc., for this group. In Texas alone for the last 3 years over $6 million dollars was spent by Cosmos Education Foundation dba Harmony Science Academy for travel. Not to mention the ill - fated schools of Louisana under the Pelican Education System have spent over $1.7 million for 2009 alone on travel.
My only question is where is my free trip to Turkey?
http://www.peytonwolcott.com
If you truly are a teacher working for HSA, you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Victor TX]

02:28 PM on 09/28/2011

As a Harmony parent, I had a chance to meet and talk to the teachers & administrators many times with two different harmony schools; I think they are all doing wonderful job; my daughter is getting a good education and I am grateful for the opportunit¬y they have provided us. The staff and all administrators are just great and very helpful. I would highly recommend it to any parent who wants the best education for their children.
It is very interesting to see some of the nonsensical comments about these schools.This is our fourth year in Harmony schools and I have never seen or heard of Religion being emphasized.

"To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete." Epictetus (c.55c.135) - Greek Stoic philosopher

[gomez71]

01:52 PM on 09/28/2011

I am writing this letter as a parent of 2 HSA students. They have been attending since the start of school year 2008; prior to that they both attended ISD schools. I can honestly say without hesitation that this has been the best decision for our children in bettering their education. At first the decision to send my oldest there was met with some hesitation, and with the understanding that if it didn’t “feel right” than we would take another route. Well it didn’t take long for any of those concerns to be squashed. From the first day until now, the dedication and professionalism that is displayed everyday is something that we truly appreciate. My son has been really satisfied and admits that the decision to send him there was better than he expected.

It’s truly a gift to see how much the teachers and administrators care not only about the children, but time to see that they succeed and excel. I can remember thinking early on about how the staff would talk about what they were going to do and how they were going to do it. I can remember hearing that same message at previous schools my children attended only to have that message fade away months into the school-year. Well to my surprise that never happened at HSA.

HSA is on its way to producing some of the best students, leaders, teachers, and outstanding citizens.

[adoptTRUTH]

11:06 AM on 09/30/2011

The interesting thing about the Gulen Movement which is quite creepy to many people is your online slaming of boards as satisified American teachers who happen to stroll by and post a comment. Equally interesting is the satisfied teachers and students that follow these posts in sequence. Even equally funny is the stream of hispanic, jewish and italian names this group uses to posts these predictable comments. nice try. start answering the charges instead of creating argumentation of smoke screens of playing victim.
Gulen Movement has nothing to do with Islam, and mainstream Islam has nothing to do with Gulen the 5th grade educated Imam exiled from Turkey.

[Jeff Colony]

11:02 AM on 09/28/2011

There is a saying in Peruvian culture which can roughly be translated as like this: "I cannot catch up with my salsa whoever says I have the tortilla."

But looks like there are some people here who can catch up with everybody, who can write something under any comment and who have enough leisure time to play the good cop/ bad cop game.

Besides, those people are brave enough to claim that I have a false name. How do they boldly claim that I am using a false name? Because they are using false names, pseudo names each time they visit here.

By the way, when I read more about this Islamophobia report, I am amazed by the number of activists, PR members and the thinkers of this aggressive movement. Some of their members might be among us right now :)

[jramsjr]

10:33 AM on 09/28/2011

A common problem in public schools is that they often have too many students for a single teacher. Large class sizes present a challenge to students who need more specialized attention to learn their material. For students who learn better in a smaller classroom, it is advantageous to attend a private or public charter school where they can benefit from smaller classes with less students per teacher.

Some public schools are actually dangerous. There are schools in American where drugs and violence are a problem. Parents worry about the safety of their children if they attend these harsh schools.The moral and selfestim is very low in public schools thats why there are so many kids dropping out of school each year.

Sometimes a change can make a whole lot of diffrence in a kids education I presonnal know and can vouche for the staff at Harmony Schools they really care about the students. I encourage every parent to get involved in there sons and daughters education by getting to know there teachers,
PTO is a basic way to get involved.

"Religion" needs to be respected no matter what type it is. Turkish are beings just like you and me. baris, huzur! Kendine iyi bak.

[Debby Spence McClure]

09:56 AM on 09/28/2011

As a parent of children who attend these charter schools, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that my kids are receiving a far superior education and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity they have provided us. Please make a point to understand that our school, and all the charter schools in our school system, have no affiliation with the Gulen movement. It saddens me to see articles that continue to spread this misinformation. Otherwise, I agree, there is much to embrace. This country was founded on diversity and we teach our children every day to celebrate each other. It is unfair and cruel to leave anyone out!

[serphim15]

09:29 AM on 09/28/2011

I work in one of these schools. BY THE WAY they are NOT "Muslim" or "Gulen" schools. I am not Turkish, but American. I was born and raised in the great state of Texas!! These schools are regulated by the SAME state education agencies as big public schools and the teachers use state approve curriculum. I appreciate the article, it show how hard we work. All of this press allows us to forget that these are American Schools, that educate American students. I'm sure that there are other schools out their but we DO NOT teach faith of any kind, and I'm the Social Studies teacher!!

[gnjatk]

11:33 PM on 09/27/2011

Someone should track the money trail of those who are attacking the schools founded by members of the Gulen movement. The visceral hate, bigotry, and lies must come from more than just ignorance. The schools are excellent examples of the good works that faithful believers are called to perform. They are non-sectarian; they do not try to convert anyone. I have two grandsons in the Harmony Science Academy in Houston. They have excellent teachers--who, by the way, are not Turkish. The school administrators are caring, intelligent, committed persons.
The Gulen movement is not a "cult," any more than Baptists or Methodists are a cult. It is a reform movement within Islam that attempts to show that the Muslim religion can exist in the modern world with integrity. It is not Wahabbist, which is one of the major interpretations of Islamic law prevailing in Saudi Arabia. The Gulen movement is an outgrowth of the Sufi tradition, which is predominantly from Turkey. I have read many of the works of Fethullah Gulen; I have many friends in the Gulen movement; I have traveled to Turkey and seen their good works; and I am an ordained United Methodist Minister with a Ph.D. in religion from Southern Methodist University. Those who disparage the Gulen movement and its works only show their ignorance and hatred for anything not like them. Michael Shank has written an excellent article. There is nothing to fear, much to welcome, from the Gulen movement and its schools.

[Robjaro]

11:33 AM on 09/28/2011

So if you're admitting the Harmony schools are tied to the Gulen movement, why should it be okay for Soner Tarim, the head of Cosmos, to deny the same? Do you call his lying an example of conducting oneself "with integrity"? Did your religious training teach you that being evasive is acceptable?

[Roya Edalatpour]

11:21 PM on 09/27/2011

It's sad to see that people are so ignorant. I have attended one of these schools and they are not affiliated with any social movement or religion. The charter school that I attend has a variety of American and non-American teachers. They come from all walks of life, Christian, Catholic, Muslim, and more. The students also range from being Catholic, to Christian, to Jewish, to Muslim, and even atheist. These charter schools are not related to any movement and neither are they promoting any type of religious education. They are just ordinary charter schools that provide extraordinary education. America is a country full of different people that are proud of their diversity and we are proud of that. Let's not show hatred towards people that are different. After all, this country is based on the belief that "all men are created equal."

[chivalex14]

10:00 PM on 09/27/2011

I am an Alumni from these charter schools that were mentioned in this article, Harmony Science Academy. Although these teachers are Turkish Muslims, they do not influence their religion on students at all. I was baptized as a Catholic, then later during my attendance at this school I did my Confirmation to confirm that I pledge to be faithful and follow the rules of Catholicism. I am still in contact with these Turkish people today, they respect my religion and I respect theirs. All these negative comments towards these schools do not have their facts right. It is understandable that Americans are scared of Muslims because of 9/11 but these people arent terrorists and it is so sad that Americans generalize all Muslims into terrorists. Turkish Muslims are actually against those who attacked New York City. Before making comments about against these people, you guys should get your facts right. I was thought by these Turkish teachers for 4 years and yet I am a strong Catholic, I was never taught anykind of religion and they Love this country because they have freedom of religion unlike in their own country where women cannot wear their scarfs in public government places.

[LibraBaby]

09:03 PM on 09/27/2011

So wait now Turkish and the Turkish culture are criminal activities? I thought Turkish was a legitimate language & the Turkish culture was a friendly one where good neighborly relations are emphasized which we need in the U.S. I guess I was wrong. Is having Turkish tea a satanic ritual now? This looks like nothing but something that is stemming out of pure personal hate.

ok the people who are concerned about our tax dollars being used to fund schools that teach Turkish & glorify the Turkish culture. I went to a public school & was forced to learn Spanish. It wasn't even an option. It would have been nice to have an option like Turkish. Isn't Turkish is a legitimate language like French, Spanish and English?.

Our tax paying dollars...Is anyone here a parent? I have been working since I was 16 & proudly paying my taxes. I have a little girl growing up &if I don't have the financial means to send her to a private school, in a public school funded by OUR tax dollars, she & kids whom I consider babies will learn how to use contraceptives!!! I don't want my tax dollars being used to fund such classes but have no choice, it's done!

If you are really concerned about your tax dollars being used properly in the education system ,research the statistics on high school teen pregnancies - your tax dollars will pay for their medical expenses and welfare until they feel like working.

[adoptTRUTH]

10:49 PM on 09/27/2011

Oh so learning Turkish is a way out of poverty? You must be eating the Noah's pudding and Koolaid that this group is serving you. Turkey didn't even have an alphabet till 1924 and it was largely borrowed from Greek and Latin. Turkey is very low on the CIA list of languages to learn it is 22nd and when they claim 270 million speak it this is inflated like their low test scores. Turkey's population is about 70 million, with Turkic countries in Central Asia speaking a dialect of Turkish and world wide combined it is about 120 million. Nice try!
We know the Gulen Mantra---"7 billion people 1 language" this is the goal to have students worldwide learning Turkish. While 14 million people in Turkey are illiterate. Nice try on trying to establish the master rulers of the next Golden Generation, Feto's fantasy will never happen.

[TomBaptt]

01:46 AM on 09/28/2011

Here is an example of a person who I think is in this Islamophobia network. It looks like (s)he was posting negative comments all day long and that seems like her main job to do all day long. Please do all of us a favor and go & get a life for yourself...

[kznv]

12:01 PM on 11/09/2011

"14 million people in Turkey are illiterate"???
You're a liar!