Fethullah Gulen, the controversial Turkish cleric and former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has died at the age of 83. While the exact cause of death has not been released, reports indicate that he had been suffering from declining health for some time. Gulen had been living in exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, residing in an apartment within a compound run by the Golden Generation Foundation, a nonprofit group founded by his supporters.
Despite a reduction in public appearances over the years, Gulen remained active through statements and writings that advocated for education, dialogue, and non-violent activism. In contrast, he became a notorious figure in Turkey, where the government accused him of orchestrating a criminal network that infiltrated various state institutions. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan characterized Gulen as the head of a “dark organization,” affirming the government’s ongoing commitment to combating terrorism in light of Gulen’s passing.
Born in the 1960s in Izmir, Turkey, Gulen first gained prominence as a preacher, establishing a network of boarding houses known as “lighthouses” that provided academic support to students. His influence grew as he expanded this network to include schools, charities, and other civil institutions, ultimately resulting in the establishment of over 1,000 schools across 160 countries. While these schools were not religiously affiliated, they were known for delivering quality education and produced numerous graduates who went on to hold significant positions in Turkey’s judiciary, police, and civil service.
In 1999, Gulen left Turkey and settled in the U.S., ostensibly due to health issues. Critics, however, suggested that his departure was more closely connected to a government investigation into his activities, which were deemed anti-government. In 2000, he was convicted in absentia for conspiring to overthrow the state, a charge that would later be leveraged against him in the aftermath of a coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.
Initially allied with Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the early 2000s, Gulen’s supporters gained considerable influence within the Turkish government. This relationship soured around 2013 when allegations of corruption involving senior AKP officials surfaced, with Erdogan accusing Gulen of creating a “parallel state” in Turkey. Gulen consistently denied these claims, adding to the growing tensions between the two factions.
Gulen was implicated in the dramatic coup attempt on July 16, 2016, which aimed to overthrow Erdogan’s government. The coup attempt led to widespread violence and culminated in hundreds of casualties, marking one of the bloodiest events in Turkey’s recent history. In the aftermath of the failed coup, thousands suspected of being Gulen sympathizers were purged from government roles, the military, and the judiciary, as the Turkish government designated Gulen’s movement as the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).
Despite Turkey’s requests for extradition, U.S. authorities have withheld Gulen, citing insufficient evidence connecting him to the coup. His movement has continued to operate internationally, albeit with diminished visibility, and has faced scrutiny in the U.S. regarding some affiliated charter schools, which have been investigated for visa irregularities and alleged financial fraud.
Gulen never married and leaves behind a complex legacy—as both a significant educational reformer and a contentious figure within Turkish politics.
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