Thousands of mourners gathered at the burial of Fethullah Gulen, the influential Turkish spiritual leader who passed away in self-exile in the US. He was remembered as a religious leader who inspired a global social movement and encouraged charitable good works.
Despite facing allegations of orchestrating a failed military coup in 2016, Gulen’s legacy lives on through his books, sermons, and thousands of schools worldwide. His followers paid their respects at a service in New Jersey before laying him to rest at the Chestnut Retreat Center in Pennsylvania.
Gulen’s followers mourned the loss of a father figure and expressed gratitude for his teachings and guidance. His dynamic philosophy blended Sufism with advocacy for democracy, education, and interfaith dialogue.
Although tensions between Gulen and Turkish President Erdogan escalated over the years, Gulen stood firm in his denial of involvement in the coup attempt. The Turkish government’s crackdown on Gulen’s movement has been severe, but his supporters vow to continue his legacy of service and education.
As followers gathered around his gravesite, they reflected on Gulen’s impact and the void left by his passing while pledging to uphold his principles and teachings for generations to come.