Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric who founded a powerful Islamic movement, has died at the age of 83. Gulen, once an ally of Turkish leader Reccep Tayyip Erdogan, was accused of orchestrating an attempted coup against Erdogan in 2016. He denied involvement and lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. His movement, known as “Hizmet,” aimed to promote a moderate form of Islam, interfaith communication, and education. However, the movement has been dismantled in Turkey and its global influence has declined since the failed coup. Gulen’s relationship with Erdogan soured in 2013, leading to corruption investigations targeting Erdogan’s associates. Erdogan accused Gulen of being behind these investigations and labeled his movement a terrorist group. Following the 2016 coup attempt, Erdogan cracked down on Gulen’s followers, resulting in thousands of arrests and suspensions. Despite being reviled by Erdogan’s supporters and shunned by the opposition, Gulen remained in the U.S., where he faced a criminal investigation in Turkey. Throughout the years, he maintained his innocence and vowed to stay in the U.S. despite extradition requests from the Turkish government. Gulen’s death marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in Turkish politics and the Islamic community.
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Gulen, the influential cleric accused of plotting a Turkish coup, passes away
