Fethullah Gulen: A Cleric's Controversial Legacy

Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Islamic cleric, inspired a global movement and faced controversial accusations of masterminding Turkey's failed 2016 coup. He promoted interfaith dialogue and education. Gulen's movement was influential but viewed with suspicion in Turkey. Gulen lived in self-exile in the US since 1999 and recently passed away.

Fethullah Gulen, the reclusive US-based Islamic cleric known for influencing a global social movement and accused of orchestrating Turkey's failed 2016 coup, has died. Gulen, in his eighties and battling long-term health issues, spent decades in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.

Gulen began as an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but later became his adversary, with Erdogan branding him as a terrorist. The Turkish government accused Gulen of masterminding the failed coup, an allegation he and his supporters denied. Despite calls for his extradition, Gulen remained in the US, facing no formal charges there.

The Turkish government launched a widespread crackdown on Gulen's movement, arresting tens of thousands and closing many Gulen-affiliated institutions. Gulen's movement, known for advocating democracy and interfaith dialogue, had a significant yet contentious impact worldwide.