Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric accused of orchestrating a failed coup in 2016, has passed away at the age of 83. Gulen, once considered Turkey’s second most powerful figure, advocated for education as a solution for lost youth. His movement, Hizmet, focused on promoting a tolerant form of Islam emphasizing altruism and hard work. However, tensions rose between Gulen and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, culminating in the government labeling Hizmet a terrorist group in 2016.
Following the attempted coup, Erdogan blamed Gulen and initiated a crackdown on supposed Gulen supporters within the military and government. Despite living in the US and facing extradition requests from Turkey, Gulen denied any involvement in the coup. In a BBC News interview, Gulen avoided contentious topics, opting to preach about democracy and rule of law instead.
Gulen’s death marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in Turkish politics, leaving behind a legacy of educational initiatives and a controversial clash with the Turkish government.
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