The Turkish Cultural Center in Sheepshead Bay was a regular stop on Eric Adams’ community circuit for years, including into his first term as Brooklyn borough president.
Adams attended multiple events in association with and hosted by the center, as far back as 2012 when he was a state senator. As borough president, Adams co-hosted a meat drive for food pantries with the center. And he attended the center’s annual “friendship dinner” in 2016.
But Adams didn’t make the event in 2017. Something happened in between.
The indictment of Adams by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams alleges that Adams took travel benefits arranged by a Turkish official — and in exchange granted political favors.
According to the indictment, Adams had been connected with a Brooklyn-based Turkish community center affiliated with a political movement opposed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But in 2016, a Turkish official allegedly told Adams he should cut ties with the center if he wanted to keep receiving support from the government.
“Adams acquiesced,” the indictment says.
Gulen Movement
The Turkish Cultural Center aligns itself with the Gulen movement, which was founded by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen in the 1960s and encourages Turkish Muslims at home and abroad to embrace secular education and assimilate into non-Muslim society while remaining true to traditional tenets of Islam. The movement places a strong emphasis on interfaith dialogue and connection and has founded schools across the globe that are inspired by Gulen’s teachings.
It also regularly attempts to make allies of political leaders. The Turkish Cultural Center reached out to current Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso after running into him at the Democratic National Convention this summer, but no one scheduled a follow-up meeting, according to a spokesperson for Reynoso.
Silence on Armenian Genocide
Outside of those affiliated with the Gulen movement, there’s another group of New Yorkers that Adams allegedly neglected as part of his close relationship with the Turkish government: Armenians.
In April 2022, a Turkish official urged one of Adams’ staffers — revealed to be Rana Abbasova — to confirm that the mayor would not make a statement acknowledging the Armenian genocide on the upcoming Armeninan Genocide Remembrance Day, according to the indictment. The staffer responded that the mayor would not, and Adams did not make a statement.
Conclusion
Adams’ actions raise questions about the relationship between political leaders and special interest groups, and whether some politicians are willing to sacrifice their values and the welfare of their constituents in pursuit of power and influence. The indictment alleges that Adams took travel benefits from a Turkish official in exchange for political favors, and failed to make a statement recognizing the Armenian genocide despite receiving pressure from Turkish officials. The consequences of Adams’ actions are still being determined, but it is clear that his relationships with special interest groups have significant implications for his constituents and for democracy as a whole.
FAQs
What is the Gulen movement?
The Gulen movement is a political and social movement founded by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, which encourages Turkish Muslims at home and abroad to embrace secular education and assimilate into non-Muslim society while remaining true to traditional tenets of Islam.
Why did Adams stop attending events at the Turkish Cultural Center?
Adams allegedly stopped attending events at the Turkish Cultural Center in 2016, after a Turkish official told him he should cut ties with the center if he wanted to keep receiving support from the government.
What is the Armenian genocide?
The Armenian genocide refers to the mass killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923, during which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians died. The genocide is considered one of the earliest genocide of the 20th century and is still commemorated by Armenians around the world.
What is the significance of Adams’ silence on the Armenian genocide?
Adams’ silence on the Armenian genocide raises concerns that he is willing to prioritize his relationships with Turkish officials over the welfare and dignity of his constituents. As mayor, Adams has a responsibility to speak out on issues of importance to the city, and his silence on the Armenian genocide suggests that he is failing to meet this responsibility.
