Turkey’s alleged coup plotter, controversial spiritual leader Fethullah Gülen dies at 83

According to Turkish Public Television, Mr Gülen, who had lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, had been in ill health.

Rejoice Okechukwu • October 21, 2024

Fethullah Gulen [Photo credit: Philadelphia Inquirer]

Fethullah Gülen, the influential Islamic cleric who inspired the global Hizmet Movement promoting education and interfaith dialogue, died on Sunday at his home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, at the age of 83.

According to Turkish Public Television, Mr Gülen, who had lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, had been in ill health.

Mr Gülen was at the centre of one of Turkey’s most divisive political controversies in recent decades.

His movement, known as Hizmet, established a network of schools, media outlets, and business ventures that span over 160 countries.

However, he faced fierce opposition from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who accused Mr Gülen and his followers of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup attempt, which led to widespread purges of suspected Mr Gülen supporters in Turkey.

The cleric consistently denied any involvement in the coup and maintained that his movement was peaceful, promoting interfaith dialogue, education, and civic engagement.

Nevertheless, the Turkish government branded his network a terrorist organisation and sought his extradition from the U.S., a request that was never granted.

Born in 1941 in the village of Korucuk in eastern Turkey, Mr. Gülen grew up in a deeply religious family.

He became an Islamic preacher at a young age, inspired by the Sufi tradition of Islam and the teachings of Said Nursi, a renowned theologian.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Mr Gülen’s movement gained influence in Turkish society, particularly through its network of schools.

These schools, known for their academic rigour, were seen as a means of promoting modern education and Islamic values.

Mr. Gülen’s teachings emphasised that Islam and science were not in conflict, and he advocated for a moderate, progressive approach to faith.

In exile in Pennsylvania, Mr. Gülen led a reclusive life, rarely making public appearances.

Despite the Turkish government’s efforts to extradite him, he continued to maintain a loyal following, particularly among his supporters in the U.S., Europe, and Central Asia.

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