Renowned Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has passed away at the age of 86 in the United States, as confirmed by the Gülen-affiliated website Herkul. He was known for his advocacy of education and interfaith dialogue, inspiring millions in Turkey and around the world.
Gülen, the founder of the Hizmet movement, which promotes a moderate form of Islam emphasizing Western-style education, free markets, and interfaith communication, died while receiving treatment at a hospital on Sunday evening.
Tushar Arun Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, expressed his condolences on Twitter, calling Gülen “a voice of peace” and lamenting his exile from his homeland.
Facing accusations from the Turkish government of orchestrating a failed coup in 2016, Gülen strongly denied the claims. He criticized the Turkish judicial system for its lack of independence, attributing his legal troubles to President Erdogan’s authoritarianism.
Having resided in the U.S. since 1999, Gülen left a lasting impact on the world through his teachings and advocacy for peace and education.