In brief
Fethullah Gulen, once a powerful ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has passed away, ending a decades-long saga of political rivalry and intrigue.
Fethullah Gulen, the influential Turkish cleric and former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, died at the age of 83 in a U.S. hospital this past Sunday. His passing marks the end of a contentious chapter in Turkish politics, characterized by accusations of conspiracy and coup plotting against Erdogan. Gulen had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, following a dramatic fallout with Erdogan that culminated in the failed coup attempt of 2016.Gulen's death was announced via the Herkul website, which is known for sharing his sermons, although no cause of death was specified. He started as a modest preacher in Turkey but grew to lead the Hizmet movement, which focused on education, interfaith dialogue, and promoting a moderate interpretation of Islam that embraced free-market principles.Gulen's movement garnered significant political influence for many years, especially as he and Erdogan initially partnered against Turkey’s secular establishments. However, their alliance ultimately collapsed, particularly following the 2016 coup attempt where Erdogan blamed Gulen for orchestrating the uprising that resulted in roughly 250 deaths. This led to a sweeping crackdown by the Turkish government, resulting in tens of thousands being detained and Gulen's movement being deemed a terrorist organization.Despite Gulen's denials about his involvement in the coup, tensions between the U.S. and Turkey escalated, fueled by Turkey's persistent demands for his extradition, which were ultimately denied by the U.S. government. As tensions unfolded over the years, Gulen's once-prominent status in Turkish society waned, forcing many of his followers into exile and effectively dismantling his movement's influence in Turkey.Gulen's complex legacy will continue to stir debate within Turkey and beyond, as his contributions to education and society clash with the controversial political atmosphere surrounding his actions and accusations over the years.
