Fethullah Gulen, the enigmatic Turkish cleric and former ally turned adversary of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has passed away at the age of 83. No cause of death has been disclosed, although his health had been a concern.
Gulen resided in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania since 1999, where he continued to advocate for education, dialogue, and peaceful activism through writings and statements despite reducing public appearances.
Early Life
Starting as a preacher in Izmir in the 1960s, Gulen founded a network of boarding houses that evolved into schools and other civil society organizations worldwide, with a significant presence in Turkey. Despite accusations by the Turkish government of criminal activities, his supporters revered him.
Move to the United States
In 1999, Gulen relocated to the US, allegedly due to health concerns. However, suspicions arose regarding his departure coinciding with government investigations into his actions. His conviction in absentia of conspiring to overthrow the state further fueled tensions.
Allies and Adversaries
Initially aligned, Gulen and Erdogan’s relations soured in 2013, leading to accusations of a parallel state orchestrated by Gulen. The fallout escalated in 2016 after a failed coup attempt, which Erdogan directly attributed to Gulen.
Coup Attempt in 2016
Blamed for the violent coup attempt that claimed numerous lives, Gulen faced extradition requests from Turkey. Despite allegations of operating a terrorist organization, US officials declined extradition due to lack of concrete evidence. Post-coup repercussions saw Gulen’s supporters facing repercussions globally.
Fethullah Gulen’s death marks a significant chapter’s close, leaving behind a complex legacy impacting Turkey’s political landscape and his worldwide followers.