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19.org
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CURRICULUM
VITAE
Edip Yuksel, J.D.
yuksel@yuksel.org
EDUCATION
-
Juris Doctor, University of Arizona College of Law, May 1998
-
M.A. program, Critical & Creative Thinking, University of Massachusetts
at Boston, 1995
-
B.A.(Cum Laude) Philosophy, University of Arizona, May 1994.
-
B.A.(Cum Laude) Near Eastern Studies, University of Arizona, May
1994.
LANGUAGES
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Fluent in Turkish, English and Classic Arabic.
-
Proficient in Persian.
-
Conversant in Kurdish.
PUBLICATIONS
Books/booklets:
Since 1980, authored more than a dozen books and numerous articles on religion,
politics, philosophy, law, humor and poetry. The articles and columns published
in Turkish journals, magazines and newspapers are not listed here. In Chronological
Order (T = Turkish; E
= English):
-
The Message: Quran’s Translation/Mesaj: Kuran Cevirisi (T). A Turkish translation
of the Quran that heavily relies on the divine ayahs (signs) in the Quran
and in the nature. The context and usage of words and expressions in the
ayahs of the Quran are carefully analyzed for understanding of individual
verses. Radical differences with traditional translations and commentaries
are discussed in the footnotes. (Ozan Publishing, Istanbul, 2000, 3 editions,
600 pp.)
-
Purple Letters (T). Selected letters sent via Internet on a myriad of issues,
such as, religion, politics, law, philosophy, women, human rights. (Ozan
Publishing, Istanbul, 2000, 2 editions, 232 pp.)
-
Democracy, Oligarchy, Theocracy/Demokrasi, Oligarsi, Teokrasi (T). A response
to the Turkish Attorney General’s allegation demanding the abolishment
of Turkey’s biggest political party, Welfare Party (Refah) and a comparative
evaluation of Turkish democracy and secularism (Ozan Publishing, Istanbul,
1998; 133 pp.).
-
United But Disoriented (E). Editor and author. Eight individuals, who have
observed the creation and evolution of a new cult, evaluate the motivation
and common patterns of hero-worship. A case study on a new cult, Submitters,
promoting infallibility of Dr. Rashad Khalifah (The Monotheist International,
1997, 62 pp.).
-
On It Is Nineteen/Uzerinde Ondokuz Var (T). A comprehensive study of the
mathematical structure of the Bible and the Quran, including answers to
criticism raised in books and articles published in three languages (Milliyet
Publishing, Istanbul, 1997, 320 pp.).
-
The Prime Argument/Asal Tartisma (E; T). A two-round argument with Prof.
Carl Sagan on the mathematical structure of the Quran and its philosophical
implications (The Monotheist International, Tucson, 1995, 64 pp.); Turkish
translation (Ozan Publishing, Istanbul, 1998, 92 pp.)
-
Running Like Zebras (E). An extensive Internet debate with Abdurrahman
Lomax on the mathematical structure of the Quran (The Monotheist International,
Tucson, 1995, 114 pp.)
-
Unorthodox Essays (E). A booklet containing essays on Usury, Wife Battering
and Abortion. Distinguished usury from interest; suggested a new translation
for the verse 4:34; and argued that abortion cannot be considered a murder
if it is done within 86 days of conception (The Monotheist International,
Tucson, 1994, 28 pp.)
-
Errors In Translations of the Quran/Kuran Cevirilerindeki Hatalar (T).
A best-seller book studying eleven Turkish translations of the Quran and
exposing some common errors due to the influence of Hadith and other sectarian
teachings (Gosterge, Istanbul, 1992, 164 pp.; Milliyet Publishing, Istanbul,
1998, 182 pp.)
-
Test Your Quranic Knowledge (E). A hundred multiple-choice questions
designed to educate the reader about the Quran. These questions involved
general knowledge, historical information, miraculous nature and
multiple-meaning verses of the Quran (Renaissance Institute, Tucson, 1991,
36 pp.)
-
Nineteen Questions for Christian Clergy/Hristiyan Din Adamlarina Ondokuz
Soru (E; T). A challenging examination of the teachings and practices of
modern Christianity. Based on Biblical verses and historical facts to promote
a "Copernican revolution" in the theology of religions, consisting in a
paradigm shift from a Christianity-centered or Jesus-centered to a God-centered
model of universe of faiths (Monotheist International, Tucson, 1993-1999,
3 editions, 100 pp); Turkish translation (Ozan Publishing, Istanbul, 1998).
-
Nineteen Questions for Muslim Clergy/Musluman Din Adamlarina Ondokuz Soru
(E; T). A best-selling book written for the public, theologically challenging
the consistency and authority of sectarian teachings of Muslim clerics
(Renaissance Institute, Tucson, 1991, 66 pp.; The Monotheist Productions
Int., Tucson, 1992, 80 pp.); Turkish version (Gosterge, Istanbul, 1992,
72 pp.; Ozan Publishing, Istanbul, 1997-2001, 5 editions, 110 pp.). The
English version is currently revised for a possible publication.
-
Censored Essays/Sakincali Yazilar (T). A rebuttal against published articles
critical of my controversial book, "Interesting Questions-2." After being
excommunicated and declared as an apostate, the publishing houses were
too intimidated to publish any more of my work. The self-published first
edition was stolen from the printing-house and the second edition was partially
collected from bookstores (Devlet, Istanbul, 1989, 2 editions,100 pp.)
-
Books Are Dangerous/Kitap Okumanin Zararlari (T). A book with a dose of
20% Humor, challenging the reader to become a critical thinker and an active
reader (Beyan, Istanbul, 1988, 106 pp.)
-
Interesting Questions-2/Ilginç Sorular-2 (T). The second volume
that became very controversial because of its radical criticism to the
traditional-sectarian Islam. Caused disappointment, excommunication, fatwa
for apostacy and generated death threats (Yuzondort, Istanbul, 1987, 190
pp.; Beyan, Istanbul, 1988, 2nd-3rd editions, 190 pp; A revised version
was later published by Ozan, Istanbul, 5th edition, 1999, 184 pp.)
-
Interesting Questions-1/Ilginc Sorular-1 (T). A best-seller, arguing popular
topics regarding religion, philosophy and politics among the university
students. Arrested, jailed and tried by the State Security Court for advocating
the establishment of an Islamic government. Acquitted after spending 6
months in jail. (Inkilab, Istanbul, 1985-1987, 8 editions, 214 pp.; Beyan,
Istanbul, 1988, 9th edition, 214 pp.)
-
Chemical Properties of Iron in the Quran/Kuran'da Demirin Kimyasal Esrari
(T). A booklet on verse 25 of Chapter 57 of the Quran and its implications
on astro-chemistry and the chemical properties of iron (Timas, Istanbul,
1984, 48 pp.)
-
Is The Bible God's Word?/Kitab-i Mukaddes Allah Sözü müdür?
(T). Analysis of certain verses and critical evaluation of biblical history,
versions, and translations (Inkilab, Istanbul, 1984, 2 editions, 164 pp.)
-
The 40th Commandment of Joseph/Yusuf'un 40. Emri (T). Poems written in
prison as a political prisoner (Madve, Istanbul, 1984, 72 pp.)
-
Quran, the Ultimate Miracle|Kuran En Buyuk Mucize (T). A best-selling book
co-authored with Ahmad Deedat, president of Islamic Propagation Center
in South Africa, analyzing certain verses of the Quran related to physical
sciences such as astronomy, embryology, geology and mathematics (Inkilab,
Istanbul, 1983-88, 16 editions, 204 pp.).
-
The Interrogation/Sorusturma (T). A novel about police interrogation and
torture of a political detainee that I secretly wrote while I was in Turkish
prison. The novel was published and distributed by an underground publishing
house during the military regime. Unfortunately, due to the unique circumstances
of its "birth" I do not have any copy of the book nor its draft. It is
lost! (XYZ, Istanbul, 1982, ??? pp.).
Articles:
-
Yes, I am a Kurd (E): exposing the
cultural assimilation of Kurdish ethnic minority by the racist Turkish
regime and offering some solutions (7 Journal of International Law and
Practice 359, 1998).
-
Cannibal Democracies, Theocratic Secularism (E):
the Turkish Version: Responding to the charges against the Refah (Welfare)
Party, Turkey’s biggest political party, and evaluating the Constitutional
Court’s decision that abolished it. The article discusses the paradox of
banning political parties to protect democracy. (7 Cardozo Journal
of International and Comparative Law, 423, 1999; the topic of an interdisciplinary
symposium at Newyork in March 7, 1999).
-
Lottery Elections (E): Disinfecting
Democracies from Interest Groups: Demonstrating the corruptive role
of money in our democracy, the article calls for a radical and apparently
a bizarre alternative, lottery elections for the House members. (forthcoming).
-
Feminism (E): the Storm and Rainbow
of Social and Political Evolution: While acknowledging the existence of
certain extreme elements in feminist movement, the article discusses crucial
role of feminist movement in freeing women from male hegemony that eventually
will create a paradigm shift regarding sex and gender. (forthcoming).
-
The Triarchy that Breeds Human Rights Violations: Patriarchs/Priests/Preceptors
(E): Arguing that the patriarchs, priests,
preceptors need to be a focus of international human rights watch groups.
Changes in legislation and even in a government's treatment of citizens
will not stop horizontal violation of human rights in Muslim countries
where patriarchy and priests are powerful. The paper draws attention to
the role of clergymen in promoting international terrorism and calls for
support of the reformist movements (forthcoming).
-
There is No “Time” For A Frozen Brain or Trimming Mysteries by a Wittgensteinian
Slab (E): The nature of “time” has bewildered
many philosophers, including Wittgenstein and St. Augustine. Wittgenstein
diagnoses the source of philosophical puzzlement about time in language.
The paper argues that the mystery of time lays in our inability to observe
time without being the subject of time.There is no absolute reality of
time. Time, independent of human mind, is just succession of events or
changes. In human mind, however, it is the perception of both internal
and external events or changes; time is a product or just a by-product
of our brain (forthcoming).
BOOKS ABOUT OR CRITICAL OF MY WORK:
-
Edip Yuksel: "Trash The Tradition"/Edip Yuksel: "Cope At" (T), Hulki
Cevizoglu, Turkish TV host, Ad Yayincilik, Istanbul, 1997-1998, 186 pp.
-
Pretenders Mutual Tussle and the Quran (E), Dr. S.A. Wadud, Signature
Publications, Glasgow-U.K., 1997.
-
Answers to Edip Yuksel/Edip Yuksel'e Cevaplar (T), (Bahaeddin Saglam,
Teblig Yayinevi, 1996, 86 pp.
-
Yes, The Bible is God's Word/Evet, Kitabi Mukaddes Tanri Sozu'dur!
(T), Lutfi Ekinci, John Gilchrist, Mujde Yayincilik, Istanbul, 1993
-
Mission in America: Five Islamic Sectarian Communities in North America
(E), Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad & Jane Idleman Smith, University Press of
Florida, 1993, 137-168 pp.
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Humans Too Slump/Insanlar da Kayar (T), (Emine Senlikoglu, Mektup
Yayinlari, 1992, 164 pp.
-
Ayet ve Slogan/Verse and Slogan, Rusen Cakir, Metis, Istanbul, pp.
238-247 (1990).
-
Quran and the Mythology of Nineteen/Kuran-i Kerim ve Ondokuz Efsanesi
(T), (Mahmut Toptas, Hikmet Zeyveli, Dr. Orhan Kuntman, Sadrettin Yuksel;
a group of Sunni scholars; Inkilab, Istanbul, 1988-1998, 86 pp.
-
Answers From the Quran/Kuran'dan Cevaplar (T), Sadrettin Yuksel,
Madve, Istanbul, 1988, 90 pp.
SELECTED ARTICLES AND ESSAYS
(In English, unless indicated)
Philosophy
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Viruses Fallacious: The Bugs That Eat Your Brain
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Aristotle's Theory of Happiness and Virtue as A Mean
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The Psychological Reasons for Copernican Model’s Victory over Ptolemaic
Model
-
Are Scientific Findings Perfect and absolute or Less Accurate Than The
Number "Pi" or Just Succeeding Mirages?
-
Popper's Theory of Epistemology: a Perpetual Falsifiable Journey Towards
Truth.
-
“Self-Contradictory” Propositions
-
The Kangaroo Debate: How Can Statements About God Be Meaningful?
-
The Illusion of Free Will
-
Seven Questions to Solve the Problem of “Evil”
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Are Moral Rules Futile or Helpful?
-
Why Philosophy Does Not Prove Anything?
-
Biology and Law
-
Descartes vs. Berkeley On the Two Corners of the Mind-Body-God Triangle
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Existentialism Versus Coexistantialism
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The Spiritual Roots Of Space Colonies
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Bourdieustic Thoughts On Authorized Language and Uniform Rituals
Language
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Language Worship
-
I Miss My Mother Tongue
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Helpas, helpis, helpos, helpus! Alas, the Esperanto Did not Help Us
-
Herstroy or a linguistic somersault!
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Religion as the medium of language propagation
-
Gender and Language: Man cries!, while woman cries:-(
-
HOW ARE YOU?: Function of Routine Gambits in Our Daily Conversation
-
An Interview With the Persian Poet Hafiz by the Water of Reknabad
Paranormal
-
Several Non-falsifiable Explanations For Deja vu (E; T)
-
Psychic Reading or Psychic Reaping?
-
The Existence of Ghosts is a Probability Bouncing Between One Out of Googoplex
to Hundred Percent (Alas, According to the Falsification Theory this Statement
Does not Have Any Scientific Value) (E; T)
-
Faith Dealers
-
The Placebo Effect is not Paranormal
-
Precognition and Related Paranormal Phenomena
-
If Nails Are Jealous (E; T)
-
They are Teasing All of Us: An Argument Between a UFO Believer and a Skeptic
(E; T)
-
The Main Factors for the Centuries-long "Devilish" Crusade Against Witchcraft
International Law and Human Rights
-
Democracy and the Virusus Elitus
-
Nuclear Reaction Does Not React To Legal Advice
-
We Are Bound To Promote Human Rights, Since We Are The Progeny Of Self-Interested
Rational Utility-Maximizing Homo Sapiens Who Have Genetically Survived
In Us
-
Marbury is Just A Dream for International Court of Justice
-
Circumcision: A Bloody Superstition
-
Universalists versus Universalism
-
Are Human Rights a Western Concept?
-
Genetic and Rational Origins of Human Rights or The Survival of The Fittest
-
To Border or Not To Border; the Immigration Dilemma
Gender and Law
-
Differences Should be Celebrated
-
Categorization is Imperative, Prioritation is Speculative
-
A Woman Pope From America or Let All the Firefighters Be Men!
-
Children as Commodities and Mothers as Rental Wombs
-
Domestic Violence or the Thorns of the Roses
-
Romantic Paternalism versus Feminist Maternalism
Islam
-
An Unconventional Skirmish on “Unintentional” Lies
-
Historical and Theological Roots of Sunni and Shiite Factions
-
Purple Letters/Mor Mektuplar (E; T)
-
Blue Letters/Mavi Mektuplar (E; T)
-
Green Letters/Yesil Mektuplar (E; T)
-
Yellow Letters/Sari Mektuplar (E; T)
-
Orange Letters/Turuncu Mektuplar (E; T)
-
Red Letters/Kirmizi Mektuplar (E; T)
Creative Writing
-
Floccinaucinihilipilification
-
What Time is it?
-
What? Why? Who? When? Where? & How?
-
Successful Politicians Are Carbonic
-
Rainbow is Beautiful, but
-
"Now I Feel Better"
-
The Adventure of a Secret Leader
-
Homopfobia-phobia
-
Mr. Enigma: "We are very creative; we create problems, then we create solutions"
-
Bacteria of Culture Or...
-
"Sit down before reading this letter" (Reader’s Digest)
-
The Seventh Point or a Hypnotic Trance
Children
-
Is Watermelon An Animal?: An Entertaining Observation of a Father (E; T)
-
Smile to the Child in and of You: Talking With Children About God
-
The Trial in the Monkeyland (an inquisitive story)
Book and Article Reviews
-
“A Just Society For ALL. But how?” on Derric Bell’s book, And We Are Not
Saved (Basic Books, 1989).
-
“Normalization of Homosexuality: By Any Means Possible!” on Professor Janet
E. Halley’s article, Sexual Orientation and the Politics of Biology: A
Critique of the Argument from Immutability (Stanford Law Review, v 46 n
3 503, Feb 01 1994).
-
“Imaginative and Untrue, Particularistic and Unrepresentative, Emotional
and Non-analytic Double Suspect Symbols,” on Kenji Yoshino’s article, Suspect
Symbols: the Literary Argument for Hightened Scrutiny for Gays (Columbia
Law Review, 96 n7, p1753-1834, Nov 1996.
-
“Pissing in the First Amendment” on a book review by Ronald K.L. Collins
and David M. Skover on James Twitchell’s book, Carnival Culture: The Trashing
of Taste in America (Stanford Law Review, Vol. 45:783; Feb 1993).
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BEFORE IMMIGRATING TO U.S.A., 1977-1989
-
Member of Central Committee of “Akincilar,” an Islamic political youth
organization in Turkey which was affiliated with the National Salvation
Party, the antecedent of Welfare and Virtue Parties; Ankara, Istanbul;
1977-1980.
-
Student representative. As an undergraduate engineering student in the
Middle East Technical University, represented 300 university students in
a political youth dormitory in Ankara; 1977-1979.
-
Editor of a monthly magazine, “Ummah” (Community) in Ankara; 1977-1979.
-
Member of the editorial board of the monthly magazine of the Akincilar
Youth Organization; Ankara; 1977-1979.
-
Organized and participated in public demonstrations and political campaigns
throughout Turkey; 1977-1980.
-
Met with members from National Salvation Party and Vice President Najmaddin
Erbakan to orchestrate a nation-wide campaign for municipality elections;
Ankara; 1977.
-
Arrested and imprisoned for the first time for one month, the election
day; Konya; 1977.
-
Speaker, educated the branch leaders of “Akincilar” how to communicate
in coded language at the National Convention of Akincilar Youth Organization;
Ankara; 1977, 1978.
-
Founded a politically active underground religious youth organization called
“FT/19” (Victory/19); Istanbul 1978-1980.
-
Founding member of underground “Cihat Cephesi” (the Front of Jihad); Istanbul,
1978-1980.
-
Established ties with the Muslim Brotherhood organization of Syria and
Egypt; 1978-1980.
-
Lost my younger brother Metin Yuksel, the legendary leader of Akincilar’s
Fatih branch, to the bullets of terrorists belonging to a fascist organization
called “Ulkuculer” (Gray Wolves); February 23rd, 1979.
-
Columnist, “Tevhit” (Monotheism) and “Hijret” (Immigration), two weekly
magazines promoting an Iran-style Islamic revolution; 1979-1980.
-
Organized approximately three hundred Turkish youth to join Afghan mujahedeen
in their war against Russia. The attempt to hijack airplanes for the transportation
failed due to a brief detention by police; Istanbul; 1980.
-
Raised money and delivered to Gulbeddin Hikmetyar, the leader of Hizb-i
Islami, Afghanistan.
-
As a representative of Turkish youth, was secretly invited to Teheran and
met the head of Pasdaran, Abu Sharif, and other high ranking revolutionary
clerics; Teheran, Iran; July 1980.
-
Represented Turkish youth in an international youth conference organized
by WAMY (World Assembly of Muslim Youth) with participants from 42 countries;
Canakkale; August, 1980.
-
Convicted to 6 year of prison terms by the martial court for promoting
Islamic Revolution in Turkey in two published articles; 1980. During the
total four year prison experience learned how to survive among burglars,
murderers, rival terrorists, corrupt and cruel correctional officers, rats
and cockroaches; Istanbul, Canakkale; September 1980-December 1983; Istanbul,
Ankara, Istanbul; December 1986-April 1987.
-
Survived four assasksination attempts by rival terrorist political organizations
promoting communist or fascist ideals; 1978 (no casualty), 1979 (friend
was killed), 1979 (friend was wounded), 1980 (in prison; friend was stabbed).
-
Series of lectures in universities and political organizations promoting
the idea and ideals of Islamic revolution, 1984-1985.
-
An unusual adventure in mandatory military service as a “dangerous foot
solder,” 1985-1986.
-
A dramatic change in religious and political position that led to excommunication,
death threats and finally immigration to the USA; July 1st, 1986.
-
Speaker, annual convention of United Submitters International, Tucson,
Arizona; August 1988.
-
Survived another assassination attempt, this time by former comrades belonging
to radical Muslim organizations; Istanbul; 1989.
-
Immigrated to the USA; April 1989.
SELECTED LECTURES, PANELS and ACTIVITIES AFTER IMMIGRATION; 1989-Present
-
Lecturer, monthly and annual conferences of Renaissance Institute; Tucson,
Arizona; 1989-1990.
-
Panelist, “Christianity and Islam,” University of Arizona; October, 1993.
-
“God: the Greatest Mathematician,” University of Arizona, Department of
Mathematics; April, 1995.
-
“The Cul-de-sac of Atheism,” University of Arizona, Student Union; February,
1994.
-
“A New Argument for the Existence of God,” University of Arizona, Department
of Philosophy, series of lectures in 1994.
-
“If Jesus and Muhammad Were Here Today,” University of Arizona, Center
for Near Eastern Studies; 1995.
-
“Towards Islamic Reformation,” Switzerland, public; July 1996.
-
“Reformation in Islam is Imperative,” Turkey, Channel 6, a national TV
station; August 1996.
-
“The Headscarf Ban and the Hypocrisy of Turkish Secularism,” Turkey, Channel
6, October 1996.
-
“The Symbolic War Between Religious and Non-religious Zealots Promises
No Victory,” Turkey, Channel 6, November 1996.
-
“Closing the Parochial Schools and Secularism,” Turkey, Channel 6, March
1997.
-
“Political and Intellectual Reasons for Reforming the Welfare Party,” Turkey,
a seminar to a group of members of TBMM (Turkish Grand National Congress),
Ankara; March 1997.
-
“Astrology, UFOs and Paranormal Claims,” Turkey, Show TV, a national TV
station; August 1997.
-
“The Role of Muslim Clerics in Violation of Human Rights,” University of
Arizona; College of Law, Amnesty International; Spring 1997.
-
“Islam: A Misunderstood Religion,” Pima Community College, Humanities and
Religion Division; Fall 1997.
-
Lecturer, bimonthly and annual conferences of ICS (International Community
of Submitters); Tucson, Arizona; 1990-1998. (Cut all affiliation with ICS
when it became obvious that the organization had turned into a cult).
-
Discussant, bimonthly interfaith scripture study group; 1997-1999.
-
Electronically condemned;-(, replying average 20 e-mails per day from readers
all around the world who are interested with the idea of reformation in
Islam.
-
Panelist, “Human Rights and Democracy in Turkey Under International Law,”
My article “Cannibal Democracies...” drew the attention of a diverse group
of scholars. This interest prompted Cardozo School of Law to organize a
symposium on the article at New York in March 1999. The symposium was moderated
by David Golove, Professor of Law, Cardozo Law School. Panelists Thomas
Christiano, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona and Gregory
Fox, Professor of Law at Yale Law School, focused on the philosophical
paradox involving the banning political parties to protect democracies;
William Pfaff, International Affairs Columnist at International Herald
Tribune and Paul Magnarella, Professor of Law and Anthropology at the University
of Florida focused on the democratic process and human rights violations
in Turkey.
-
“Kurds: Pariahs of Mesopotamia,” University of Arizona; College of Social
Sciences, Amnesty International; March 1999.
-
Founder, "19.ORG," Internet, January 2000, to promote freedom of speech
articulated by Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
reformation in Islam suggested by Code 19.
-
"Are American Prisoners Spoiled?" Pima County Superior Court, a three-hour
educational class critically and comparatively evaluating the American
criminal justice system, police, prison population, common characteristics
of inmates and outmates, new prison industry, poverty and lack of education
as the main cause of crime, disparity in legal representation between the
haves and have-nots, the condition of prisons, and alternative to prisons.
-
"The Dissident," KTKT 990 Radio Station, Southern Arizona, June 5, 2000,
the Bert Lee Show. A two-hour interview with hosts Bert Lee and Bob Beaudry
on my personal experience in Turkish prisons and my opinion on American
criminal system and democratic process.
-
"Reform in Islam" Channel 6, December 16, 2000, the Ceviz Kabugu program.
The debate between me and two religious scholar was moderated by its respected
host and it took approximately five hours. The live show received phone
calls, faxes, e-mails from people and pre-arranged scholars and prominent
figures were contacted. The debate was about The Message, my Turkish translation
of the Quran, and my rejection of Hadith, Sunnah and sectarian jurisprudence
as other sources of my religion. The debate took heavy tall on the Sunni
scholars. The most interesting reaction came from the leader of Religious
Affairs Department, a governmental organization that oversees all the mosques
and the hundreds of thousands clerics. The religious leader, the day after
my first show, petitioned the government agency RTUK that monitors and
regulates TV channels, asking them to ban all religious discussions on
private TV stations and restricting to only government's channels.
-
"Women in Islam" Channel 6, December 23, 2000, the Ceviz Kabugu program.
The host of the show contacted me few days later and invited me to another
show exclusively on the position of women in Islam. The previous
show had received top ratings and he was sure that the next one would be
one of the most watched programs in Turkey. The second one was as successful
as it was expected; I explained some of the points left from the first
show and I presented the position of women from the Quran contrasting it
to the of Hadith and Sunnah. Millions of viewers discovered the great discrepancy
between God's religion and the sectarian teachings. I opened the show by
piling the more than twenty volumes of the so-called authentic Six Hadith
Books on the desk on top of the Quran. I told the audience that this tower
of liturgy is just a fraction of sectarian teachings and they had covered
the Quran by them. A religion derived from the Quran alone will be simple
to understand by majority of people. Then, the clergymen and scholars will
lose their job, since there will not be need for them to "solve" the complexities
and contradiction created by numerous volumes of teachings. That is the
reason they are so upset with us. The second program took about four hours
and received great public interest. Other TV channels, newspapers and magazines
reacted and echoed the issues. Several newspapers and magazines published
positive interviews. A radical religious newspaper, however, published
articles full of insults and distortion about me and the translation. A
columnist attacked my translation for eight days in his columns. Nevertheless,
The MESSAGE became the best-selling book since the show and new visitors
have been visiting www.19.org each day.
-
"Polygamy and Homosexuality in Religions and Western Law," University of
Arizona, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, (the topic of a forthcoming
lecture).
SELECTED RAINBOW OF EXPERIENCES BESIDES WRITING BOOKS AND PRO BONO ACT?V?T?ES
Adjunct Professor, Fall 1999-Present
Teaching philosophy courses at Pima Community College.
Online Teacher, Fall 1999-Present
Developing curriculum on logical reasoning section for LSAT
(Law School Admission Test) and teaching virtual classes at a pioneer online
teaching company.
Legal Researcher, Spring 1998-Present
Researching and analyzing legal issues on constitutional, civil, and
criminal law for various law firms. Worked as a law clerk for six months
at Pima County Superior Court.
Business Consultant, Spring 1997-Fall 1998
Worked part time for a consulting company. Negotiated an international
joint venture agreement between American and Turkish electric utility companies.
Domestic Violence Clinic, Spring 1998
As a 38 (e) certified student lawyer, represented indigent
clients in family and domestic violence matters before the Tucson City
Court.
Political and Legal Consultant, 1996-1997
Upon the request of several members of the Turkish National
Congress, responded to the allegations of the Attorney General who brought
a suit to the Constitutional Court for the permanent abolishment of Turkey's
biggest party.
Judicial Internship, Fall 1996
Clerked for Judge William H. Tinney of Superior Court, Tucson.
Monitored the court sessions and drafted legal opinions.
Legal Internship, Pretrial Services, Spring 1995
Pima County Detention Center. Interviewed detainees, checked
their criminal history and wrote recommendations for judges.
Editor, Translator, Fall 1995
Wrote and translated articles for an informative CD-Rom about
Istanbul. Work was financed by the municipality of Istanbul and carried
out via Internet.
Substitute Teacher, Tucson, Sep. 1994-May 1995
Taught math, science and social sciences to high school students
in Tucson school districts.
Private Tutor, Spring 1993-May 1995
Tutored university students in philosophy, math, astronomy,
Near Eastern Studies, Turkish, Arabic and Persian through the Tutoring
Services of the University of Arizona.
Teaching Assistant, University of Arizona, Spring 1994
As undergraduate honor student, assisted teaching of introductory
level “Near Eastern History” course to 80 students, lectured, graded essays,
and held weekly office hours.
Research Assistant, University of Arizona, Department of Geology, Spring
1991.
Assisted in a geological research using GPS Global Positioning
System, to determine the size of Tucson's ground sinking. Yes, it is sinking;
inch by inch!
Telemarketer, Tucson Paging Company, Summer 1990
Marketed paging services with a broken English and spicy accent.
Surprisingly, performed as good as the next native-speaking telemarketer!
Copywriter, Research and Promotion Center, Istanbul, July 1988-April
1989
The loss of popularity as an author led to advertising where
there is no room for religio-politico hormones. A word may start a revolution
while another may sell potato chips. Savored the quick gratification of
creative writing. Meanwhile, juggled in an ethical ordeal created by the
dilemma of telling the truth or selling the product. A new chapter opened
by the threshold of the thirtieth birthday when finally immigrated to the
United States of America.
AWARDS & GRANTS
(Awards and grants received before immigration to USA are not listed).
•• Best selling author in Turkey; ‘83-’87; ‘97-’01
•• Appreciation Award, Domestic Violence Law Clinic; 1998.
•• Dean's List (6 semesters) at the University of Arizona; 1992
- 1997.
•• Regents Grants; 1992-1994
•• State Student Incentive Grants; 1992-1998
•• Cum Laude in Philosophy: University of Arizona; 1994
•• Cum Laude in Near Eastern Studies: University of Arizona;
1994
•• Outstanding Scholastic Achievement and Excellence, Golden
Key National Honor Society
•• Outstanding New-Traditional Student Award, University of Arizona,
1994
•• Best Composition award: published in the English Composition
text book at the University of Arizona, 1992.
PERSONAL
Married with two children, Yahya and Matine.
Edip Yuksel, Edip Yüksel, Edip, Yüksel,
Yuksel, |