In brief
Gulen's life spanned decades marked by alliance and conflict with Turkish politics.
Fethullah Gulen, the prominent Turkish cleric known for his contentious relationship with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has passed away in the United States at the age of 83. Renowned for founding the Hizmet movement, which emphasizes education and interfaith dialogue, Gulen lived in self-imposed exile since 1999 following a fallout with Erdogan. His death was announced via the Herkul website, although details regarding the cause remain undisclosed. Initially allies, Gulen and Erdogan's relationship soured dramatically after a failed coup in Turkey in 2016, for which Erdogan accused Gulen and his followers—known as Gulenists—of orchestrating. This accusation resulted in a nationwide crackdown that led to thousands of arrests and the closure of Gulen-affiliated institutions. Gulen, who consistently denied any involvement in the coup attempt, remained reclusive in Pennsylvania but continued to be a focal point of Turkish political contention. Despite Gulen's impact on promoting education and civic activism, his legacy is clouded by the political tensions that intensified following the coup. Erdogan's government attempted to extradite Gulen for years, leading to heightened diplomatic strains between Turkey and the United States. The passing of Gulen marks a notable chapter in Turkey's fraught political landscape that has been profoundly affected by his ideological influence and subsequent rivalry with Erdogan.
