ISLAMIST CHARITY REACHES 350,000 OF TURKEY'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003075 SIPDIS SIPDIS TREASURY FOR PLANTIER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2016 TAGS: EFIN SOCI TU SUBJECT: ISLAMIST CHARITY REACHES 350,000 OF TURKEY'S POOREST Classified By: Economic Counselor Thomas Goldberger for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In its short history, Deniz Feneri, a non-governmental charity based out of Istanbul, has provided assistance to nearly 350,000 needy families, making it one of the country,s largest aid organizations. It is run like a well-oiled machine, with an extensive volunteer network, automated tracking system, spotless warehouse, and vast inventory of donated goods. The group is widely considered to be linked to -- and possibly funded by -- Islamic leader Fethullah Gulen, who resides in the U.S. End Summary. -------------- SHORT HISTORY, BROAD IMPACT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Although the Deniz Feneri (lighthouse organization) has been in existence for only eight years ) it was founded in 1998 by television producer Ugur Aslan ) the organization expects to give USD 100 million in assistance throughout Turkey in 2006. With offices in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, and Erzurum, Deniz Feneri uses a needs-assessment database to provide aid to nearly 350,000 families. The Ankara branch serves 15 neighboring cities, and the organization hopes to open offices in Adana and Samsun in the near future. Deniz Feneri has a professional staff of 350, and an extensive volunteer network of 35,000. ¶3. (SBU) Mevlut Koca, chairman of the Ankara branch, told us that the organization gives priority to assisting those who cannot help themselves, especially the elderly, the sick, and widows. Using its volunteer network, Deniz Feneri screens aid applicants to determine whether or not they qualify for assistance, and what type of aid to provide. Koca noted that while the vast majority of recipients apply for aid themselves, sometimes neighbors or relatives will alert Deniz Feneri to a needy person. In fact, during our visit, an individual from a poor neighborhood in Ankara stopped by the office and requested the organization,s assistance for one of his neighbors. ¶4. (SBU) Koca told us that Deniz Feneri does not focus on rehabilitation, but rather tries to provide aid to those falling on hard times. He said their database keeps track of what everyone receives, and he noted that the organization is very conscious of not allowing recipients to become dependent on its aid. Deniz Feneri,s Guidance Unit attempts to match those recipients who are able to work with jobs at businesses who donate goods to the organization. -------------- A WELL-OILED MACHINE -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Koca told us that Deniz Feneri is ISO 9000 certified, and its sparkling Ankara facility is proof. One could eat off the floors in the several-thousand-square-foot warehouse, out of which the organization,s uniformed staff prepares individualized food and clothing packets. Each packet is labeled with a bar code, which tracks who receives what and when. Volunteers deliver the goods to the aid recipients, and both parties must sign for the items as an internal control. Koca explained that each Deniz Feneri branch can see what the other branches have in their inventory via an online database ) this allows them to transfer needed goods from one branch to another, rather than purchasing them from an outside source. -------------- FOLLOW THE MONEY -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Koca explained that the majority of Deniz Feneri,s funding comes from private donations, primarily from wealthy individuals and companies in Istanbul. He told us that textile and food companies often offer in-kind donations. Koca said that, while the organization currently does not receive significant donations from abroad, they are looking to increase ties with similar organizations in neighboring countries. -------------- OUTREACH TO OTHER MUSLIMS AROUND THE GLOBE -------------- ¶7. (SBU) According to Koca, Deniz Feneri has expanded its operations to include aid projects in several other predominantly Muslim countries. Following the 2005 tsunami, the organization launched a USD 3 million project in Indonesia. In response to last year,s earthquake in Pakistan, Deniz Feneri donated USD 20 million to the relief effort. Koca mentioned that they have similar projects in the Balkans and in Niger. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) Deniz Feneri is clearly Islamist-oriented and some Turks suspect it to be linked with controversial Islamic leader Fethullah Gulen, who resides in the U.S. We cannot confirm this claim. The staff,s clothing, as well as the vast wealth of the organization that the management seems somewhat unwilling to explain, could also corroborate this claim. In addition, Deniz Feneri calls itself a &charity,8 which is in line with Islamic teaching. While Koca told us that Deniz Feneri is not linked with the government or with any political party, Prime Minister Erdogan,s wife Emine is a staunch supporter and her picture figures prominently on the organization,s web site. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON