A US court has ruled that the Bush administration improperly rejected a prominent Turkish religious scholar's application toward permanent residence in the United States and ordered the government to reverse the decision.

Fethullah Gülen, a Sufi scholar and educator with millions of followers across Turkey and parts of Central Asia, has been living in the United States since 1999. US immigration authorities rejected his application to be classified as "an alien of extraordinary ability," a step that would have facilitated his permanent residence.

A federal court ruled Wednesday that the decision was improper, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press that have not yet been made public. Immigration officials had argued that Gülen did not meet the qualification of extraordinary ability in his field "demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive documentation."

Gülen is one of Turkey's most influential intellectuals, a scholar and preacher of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam. His followers run schools in dozens of countries. In Turkey, they administer hundreds of schools, as well as six universities and various media organizations. His media network reaches millions daily. Gülen is revered by many but viewed with suspicion by some in the 99 percent Muslim country where secularism is enshrined in the constitution and religion has traditionally been firmly excluded from politics.

In 2006, a Turkish court acquitted him of trying to overturn Turkey's secular regime. Prosecutors had accused him of trying to create an Islamic groundswell and of "brainwashing" school children. Gülen's lawyer, H. Ronald Klasko, said he did not understand the US government's argument that he did not meet the requirements. "For whatever reason, the government has decided to fight his application," he said. "Their arguments were very strange to me."

The US court's decision means that Gülen can now apply for permanent residence under a more favorable category. The judge scheduled another hearing for next month and could order the government to decide on Gülen's residency application. The government could also appeal Wednesday's ruling. US officials declined to comment on the decision Thursday.

"We have just received the judgment and have forwarded it to the appropriate Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security officials for their review," said Patty Hartman, a spokeswoman for federal prosecutors in Philadelphia, where the case was heard.

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Judith Richards  - Praise and admiration for Gulen   |07-28-2008 19:45:24 I have had first hand experience of the Gulen movement's fine work in Turkey. There is no brainwashing in Gulen schools, anymore than there is in any school. I visited 5 schools, was a guest in the homes of 5 different families, one hospital, a TV station and press and writers' group last May, all reflecting the Gulen Foundation. I admire enormously their commitment to community, to education, to free thought and open communication. Without a doubt Mr. Gulen is a charismatic thinker and leader, and those who follow his philosophy work to create freedom, mutual respect and understanding. I am shocked by my government's claims against his residency in the US and would be pleased to add my name to any lists in support of this cause. Sincerely, Dr Judith Richards Reply 0   0

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