Truebright Science Academy: Evidence of Affiliation with Gulen Movement


October 14, 2010   last updated Jan 3, 2012
by C.A.S.I.L.I.P.S. - Citizens Against Special Interest Lobbying in Public Schools

Truebright Science Academy is a publicly-funded charter school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   Its connection to the Fethullah Gulen Movement is shown by the multiple affiliations, both past and present, of the following individuals.


Baki Acikel
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Truebright Science Academy
  • Turkish Cultural Center New Jersey (Gulenist organization)

Tansu Cidav
  • Acting Chief Executive Officer, Truebright Science Academy, 2011
  • Principal, Harmony Science Academy North Austin, 2009-10 (Gulen charter school)

Murat Dundar a.k.a. Mehmet Murat Dundar
  • Founding board member, Truebright Science Academy
  • Board member, Indiana Math and Science Academy (Gulen charter school)
  • President, Philadelphia Dialogue Forum (Gulenist organization)

Bekir Duz
  • 2011-12 CEO, Truebright Science Academy
  • 2008-11 Principal, Central Jersey College Prep
  • 2007-08 Bergen Arts and Science Charter School     
  • West Penn Cultural Center (Gulenist organization)  From a March 10, 2006 article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "Bekir Duz, a board member of the cultural center, said the group follows the teachings of M. Fethullah Gulen."

Ihsan Isik
  • Founding Board Member, Truebright Science Academy
  • Board Member, Consultant, Paterson Charter School, Paterson NJ, 2001 (Gulen charter school)
  • Founding Board Member, Consultant, Lyceum Charter School Project, Philadelphia PA, 2002 (proposed Gulen charter school)
  • Founding President, Treasurer, Philadelphia Dialog Forum (Gulenist organization)
  • CEO of the American Turkish Chamber of Commerce (ATCOM), the US arm of MUSIAD

Mehmet Ozhabes
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Founder, Truebright Science Academy
  • Founder, Central Jersey College Prep Charter School (Gulen charter school)
  • Applicant, Contact Person, Westchester Academy of Science NY 2009 (proposed Gulen charter school)
  • Board Member, Turkish Cultural Center (Gulenist organization)

Riza Ulker
  • CEO/Principal Truebright Science Academy
  • Founding Member, Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School (Gulen charter school)
  • Lead petitioner, Camden Charter School of Achievement NJ 2009 (proposed Gulen charter school)
  • Head, Dream Schools; affiliated with and involved in real estate transaction with proposed Young Scholars of Western Pennsylvania Charter School (Gulen charter school)
  • Founder, Snowdrop Science Academy, Monroeville PA (private Gulen school no longer in operation)