German entrepreneur withdraws from FETO-linked dialogue

BERLIN (AA) - A prominent German businesswoman has withdrawn her support for a controversial interfaith dialogue project in Berlin, due to involvement of Gulen movement that staged a defeated coup of 2016 in Turkey.

Catherine Dussmann told local media that she has decided to withdraw her support for the “House of One” project -- a shared house of prayer for Muslims, Christians and Jews in Berlin -- as one of its initiators was distrusted by Muslim organizations and was accused of the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.

Officially known as the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group orchestrated the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

The FETO has carried out a long secretive campaign in Turkey to infiltrate state institutions, including the military, police, and judiciary.

“I cannot support any project which does not promote understanding and dialogue both within and between religions but rather triggers new conflicts,” she was quoted as saying by the daily Berliner Zeitung.

In Germany, which is home to more than 3 million Turkish immigrants, the group also managed to build a large network, including various associations, schools and media outlets.

They have tried to avoid public criticism by focusing on "interfaith dialogue" programs, sticking to “moderate” messages, with the goal of winning the trust of media, influential churches, and political institutions in Germany.