Civil war in Mali did not discourage the Turkish school teachers


Date posted: February 6, 2013

Turkish teachers living only 100 miles away from the hot zone told Cihan News Agency that they never even thought about leaving the area. The Oter and Mutlu families are the only two Turkish families living in Segou, a town very close to the hot zone in Mali. Both families work at the Turkish school there and get together frequently to ease the longing they feel for Turkey.

Nevzat Oter, the principle of Segou Turkish School explained that his school is the closest Turkish school to the hot zone, “We are closest to everything that is happening in the North. The conflicts occurred about 100 miles away from us and during that whole time we never even thought about closing the school. We are not fair-weather friends; we could not just leave these people during their hardest time. We could not even think of such a thing. All of our educational services are continuing.” he said.

One of the teachers at Segou Turkish School, Mehmet Mutlu stated that they did not leave town even when the battle was occurring. “We live in the town of Segou in Mali. The best thing I can say is that we are doing our duties and we are at peace.” he said.

Principle Nevzat Oter’s wife, Fatma Oter said that she was afraid when the fights first started. “We could go to and come back from the school any time we want,” she added.

Mehmet Mutlu’s wife, Hulya Mutlu said that the conflicts in the North are being exaggerated. “We go about our daily routines every day without any trouble. We can go to the market and get everything we need. This did not become an issue for us. We are happy.” she said.

Source: Samanyolu Haber February 2, 2013.

Disclaimer: The original news is in Turkish. Slight deviations from the original meaning may have occurred due to the difficulties in translating phrases and idioms. PII volunteers translated the article.

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Gülen’s book “Eternal Light” under spotlight at Pakistani fair

Public had chance to access many kinds of books at the fair. Speaking to Cihan news agency, head of Harmony Publications Yakup Un said there is a huge interest to the book Sonsuz Nur by Pakistani people.

As Gulen movement contracts in Africa, worry over who will fill the vacuum

Abdallah Kheri, who in Kenya heads the Islamic Research and Education Trust, worries that shuttering Gulen schools and other institutions could leave a vacuum that the so-called Islamic State will seek to fill. “Closing down the institutions would definitely grant gains to the fundamentalists,” he said. In Kenya, the Rev. Wilybard Lagho, Mombasa Roman Catholic diocese vicar general, said he would lament the demise of Gulen schools.

Yamanlar Sweeps Gold Medals in the U.S.

Yamanlar Private School was the proud recipient of 12 gold, 10 silver, and 15 bronze medals in the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad (AMC-10), organized by the American Mathematical Society and the University of Nebraska.

Diplomatic solution: Pak-Turk schools may not be shut down after all

OONIB AZAM / SARFARAZ MEMON / Z ALI / RIAZUL HAQ Uncertainty surrounds the future of Pak-Turk schools in the country. In the wake of the foiled military coup in Turkey, the country’s ambassador to Pakistan has urged for the shutdown of all Pak-Turk schools and colleges which belong to the alleged US-based ‘mastermind of […]

D-8’s Alam calls on everyone to support Turkish schools

Alam said people should donate to Turkish schools inasmuch as they can afford. “Little or more, everyone should give support to these schools. As a sign of this, I promise to donate $5,500 to these schools every year,”

Afghan Parents Complain to UN Over Detention of Turkish Teachers

The parents’ committee of Afghan-Turk schools on Monday called for an end to the oversight by the security forces on the movement of all those teachers who were last week detained during a raid in Kabul.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Şimşek: Despite slander, Gülen remains silent to avoid provoking gov’t supporters

Italian professor: Fethullah Gulen is a true lover of the Prophet

Kimse Yok Mu provides meal for 250 Syrians each day in southeastern Turkey

A new ring to the chain of Turkish schools in Kyrgyzstan

Gulen-linked teacher claims asylum in Moldova to escape Erdogan’s long arm

Gülen won’t change his stand, urges followers’ patience

Flynn stopped military plan against ISIS that Turkey opposed – after being paid as its agent

Copyright 2025 Insightful Neighbor