Fethullah Gulen, the exiled Turkish cleric who rose to international prominence as a staunch critic and rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has died in exile in the United States at the age of [insert age]. Gulen, who had been living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, was the founder of the Hizmet (Service) movement, a vast network of educational, religious, and charitable institutions that once enjoyed significant influence in Turkey and around the world. His death marks the end of a complex and often contentious chapter in modern Turkish history, defined by his decades-long power struggle with Erdogan.
Gulen’s movement was initially an ally of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), helping to propel both Erdogan and the AKP to power in the early 2000s. However, their alliance soured, and by 2013, Gulen and Erdogan had become bitter enemies. The Turkish government has accused Gulen of masterminding the failed 2016 coup attempt, leading to widespread crackdowns on his followers, who are often referred to as “Gulenists.” Gulen denied any involvement in the coup, but Erdogan’s government has consistently sought his extradition from the United States.
This article explores the life and legacy of Fethullah Gulen, his relationship with Erdogan, the rise and fall of his movement, and the broader implications of his death for Turkish politics and international relations.
Fethullah Gulen Early Life and Rise to Influence
Fethullah Gulen was born in 1941 in a small village in Erzurum Province, located in northeastern Turkey. Raised in a conservative and religious household, he was deeply influenced by the teachings of Sunni Islam and the ideas of Said Nursi, a Kurdish Sunni scholar who advocated for a modern interpretation of Islam that embraced science and education. These ideas would form the foundation of Gulen’s own philosophy and later his movement. 
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Gulen began his career as an imam in the 1960s, but his sermons and writings soon attracted a wider audience. His emphasis on education, dialogue between religions, and a form of Islam that was compatible with democracy and modernity resonated with many Turks. In the 1970s, Gulen’s followers began establishing schools and other institutions in Turkey and abroad, laying the groundwork for what would become the global Hizmet movement.
By the 1980s and 1990s, the Gulen movement had expanded significantly, with schools, charities, and media outlets in over 160 countries. Gulen’s followers held key positions in Turkey’s judiciary, police, and bureaucracy. At the height of its influence, the Hizmet movement was seen as a major force in Turkish civil society, promoting education and moderate Islamic values.
The Alliance with Erdogan
Gulen’s relationship with Erdogan and the AKP began on friendly terms. Both men shared a vision of a more Islamic-oriented Turkey, and Gulen’s followers supported Erdogan’s rise to power. Gulenists, particularly those in the judiciary and police, were instrumental in Erdogan’s early political battles against Turkey’s secular establishment, including the military, which had long held significant power in Turkish politics.
For a time, this alliance seemed mutually beneficial. Erdogan’s government helped open doors for Gulen’s educational institutions and media outlets, while Gulen’s movement provided a loyal base of supporters who helped Erdogan consolidate power. Together, they were able to challenge the secular elite that had dominated Turkish politics for decades.
However, tensions between the two men began to surface in the early 2010s. Gulenists were accused of using their influence in the police and judiciary to undermine Erdogan’s authority, and a power struggle ensued. The relationship between Gulen and Erdogan reached a breaking point in 2013 when corruption investigations targeting Erdogan’s inner circle were launched by prosecutors and police officers believed to be loyal to Gulen.
Erdogan responded to these investigations by accusing Gulen and his followers of forming a “parallel state” and seeking to overthrow the government. He launched a series of purges aimed at removing Gulenists from positions of power, particularly in the police, judiciary, and education sectors. By 2014, Fethullah Gulen had become Erdogan’s number one enemy, Fethullah Gulen and his movement was declared a terrorist organization by the Turkish government.
The 2016 Coup Attempt and its Aftermath
The animosity between Erdogan and Gulen reached its zenith on the night of July 15, 2016, when a faction within the Turkish military attempted to overthrow Erdogan’s government. The coup attempt, which resulted in over 250 deaths and thousands of injuries, was swiftly suppressed by forces loyal to Erdogan. The president quickly blamed Gulen and his movement for orchestrating the coup, though Gulen vehemently denied any involvement.
From his secluded compound in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Gulen condemned the coup attempt and called for an international investigation. However, Erdogan and his government launched a massive purge, arresting tens of thousands of suspected Gulenists and removing many more from their jobs in the public sector, academia, and media. The crackdown extended to Gulen’s schools and businesses, Fethullah Gulen which were either shut down or taken over by the government.
Erdogan demanded Gulen’s extradition from the U.S., claiming he was the mastermind behind the coup. However, the U.S. government, citing a lack of concrete evidence, Fethullah Gulen refused to comply with Turkey’s request, leading to tensions between Ankara and Washington.
In the years following the coup attempt, the Turkish government continued its efforts to dismantle Gulen’s network both at home and abroad. His movement, once a pillar of Turkish civil society, was decimated in Turkey, though some of its institutions remained active in other countries, Fethullah Gulen particularly in Africa, Central Asia, and the Balkans.
Gulen’s Life in Exile and His Death
Gulen lived the final decades of his life in a secluded compound in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, where he led a quiet life focused on writing and religious teaching. Despite his low profile, Gulen’s presence in the U.S. remained a point of contention in Turkish-American relations, with Erdogan’s government repeatedly calling for his extradition.
Over the years, Gulen’s health deteriorated, and he made fewer public appearances. Nevertheless, he remained a symbolic figure for his followers, who continued to promote his teachings on education, interfaith dialogue, and moderate Islam, though the influence of his movement had waned considerably since the 2016 coup attempt. 
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Gulen’s death marks the end of an era for the Gulenist movement. While his followers once held considerable influence in Turkey and beyond, the relentless crackdown by Erdogan’s government effectively dismantled the network that Gulen had spent decades building. With his passing, Fethullah Gulen the future of the movement remains uncertain.
Legacy and Impact on Turkish Politics
Fethullah Gulen’s legacy is complex and controversial. To his followers, he was a visionary religious leader who championed education, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. The schools and institutions established by his movement have educated millions of students around the world, Fethullah Gulen many of whom have gone on to prominent positions in politics, business, and academia.
However, to his critics, particularly those within Erdogan’s government, Gulen was the leader of a shadowy organization that sought to undermine the Turkish state. The 2016 coup attempt, whether or not Gulen was involved, solidified his status as a villain in the eyes of many Turks, and his movement has been largely eradicated from Turkish society.
The power struggle between Gulen and Erdogan also reflects broader tensions within Turkish society—tensions between secularism and political Islam, between democracy and authoritarianism, Fethullah Gulen and between civil society and state control. Gulen’s rise and fall offer a window into the evolving nature of Turkish politics over the past two decades, as Erdogan consolidated his grip on power and moved the country away from the democratic reforms that had characterized his early years in office.
The Future of the Gulen Movement
With Gulen’s death, the future of the Hizmet movement is uncertain. The movement had already been severely weakened by the Turkish government’s crackdown, and without its leader, it may struggle to maintain its global network of schools and institutions. However, Fethullah Gulen ideas and teachings may live on through his writings and the many students who were educated under the auspices of the Hizmet movement.
In Turkey, the government is likely to continue its efforts to root out any remaining Gulenist influence. Erdogan’s government has been relentless in its pursuit of Gulen’s followers, and there is little indication that this will change in the near future. Internationally, however, some Gulenist institutions may continue to operate, particularly in countries where they have strong support and face less political pressure.
Conclusion
Fethullah Gulen’s death in exile brings an end to a long and tumultuous chapter in Turkish history. From his early days as an imam in rural Turkey to his leadership of a global movement, Gulen’s life was marked by both influence and controversy. His decades-long rivalry with Erdogan defined much of modern Turkish politics, Fethullah Gulen culminating in the dramatic events of the 2016 coup attempt and the subsequent crackdown on his followers.
As Turkey continues to grapple with the legacy of the Gulenist movement and the broader implications of its authoritarian turn under Erdogan, Fethullah Gulen ideas and influence will remain a subject of debate. His death may close one chapter, but the story of his movement and its impact on Turkey and the world is far from over. ALSO READ:-India-A Registers a Thrilling Win Over Pakistan Shaheens 2024