Fethullah Gülen, the enigmatic Islamic cleric based in the United States, known for his influential global social movement, has passed away. Gülen, who was reportedly in poor health and in his eighties, was confirmed dead by his nephew, Kemal Gülen, according to Abdullah Bozkurt, the former editor of the Gülen-linked Today’s Zaman newspaper, who is now living in exile in Sweden. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan cited Turkish intelligence sources as verifying Gülen’s death.
For the past several decades, Gülen resided in self-imposed exile in a gated community within Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. From this sanctuary, he maintained a substantial influence over millions of followers both in Turkey and worldwide. His teachings combined Sufism, a mystical interpretation of Islam, with a strong emphasis on democracy, education, science, and dialogue among different faiths.
Initially, Gülen and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were political allies, but their relationship soured over the years. Gülen criticized Erdogan for his authoritarian tendencies and attempts to consolidate power, while Erdogan accused Gülen of terrorism and implicated him in orchestrating the attempted military coup on July 15, 2016. During this tumultuous event, military factions utilized heavy weaponry in an effort to overthrow Erdogan, leading to the tragic deaths of 251 individuals and injuries to around 2,200 others. Approximately 35 alleged coup participants also lost their lives.
While Gülen categorically denied any involvement in the coup, Turkey implemented an extensive crackdown on his movement, known as Hizmet, which means “service” in Turkish. Tens of thousands were arrested for purported connections to the coup attempt, resulting in over 130,000 individuals being dismissed from public service and more than 23,000 from military roles. Hundreds of businesses, schools, and media outlets affiliated with Gülen were also closed down. Gülen characterized this government response as a witch hunt and labeled Turkey’s leadership as “tyrants.”
Reflecting on the situation one year after the coup attempt, Gülen expressed his distress for the innocent Turkish citizens suffering due to government actions against those deemed associated with him or Hizmet. Born on April 27, 1941, in Erzurum, Turkey, Gülen’s true birth year has been a subject of debate; some suggest he may have been born in 1938. His early education as an imam laid the groundwork for his teachings that emphasized tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and the compatibility of religion with science, appealing to many Turks.
Gülen’s followers established a vast network of various organizations, including charitable foundations and schools in over 100 countries, with around 150 charter schools funded by taxpayer money across the U.S. In Turkey, his supporters managed universities, hospitals, and a significant media presence. However, his movement faced wariness from segments of the Turkish populace, particularly those loyal to the secular tenets of the state and the Islamic-oriented party led by Erdogan.
Despite never openly endorsing a political faction, Gülen’s movement initially joined forces with Erdogan’s party against the previous secular military-backed elite, using his media resources to support Erdogan’s government. Nonetheless, the alliance began to fray as Gülen’s followers openly critiqued government practices, leading Erdogan to accuse them of creating a parallel state within Turkey. This prompted calls for Gülen’s extradition prior to the 2016 coup attempt, while he had been residing in the U.S. since 1999 for medical treatment.
In 2000, Turkish authorities accused Gülen of attempting to undermine the secular government and enforce an Islamic regime. Some incriminating claims arose from a tape where he allegedly encouraged followers to be patient and strategic, but Gülen contended that his statements were misinterpreted. Though he faced a trial in absentia, he was ultimately acquitted and remained in the U.S., where he secured permanent residency after a lengthy legal struggle against the then-administration.
Living mostly in solitude and seldom appearing in public, Gülen spent his days at an Islamic retreat center, focusing on prayer and meditation while receiving visitors and medical care for chronic conditions. He never married, nor did he have children, leaving uncertainty about who might lead the movement after his passing.