Fethullah Gulen Dies At 83 - A Look At His Struggles With Turkish Government
Fethullah Gulen, a prominent Islamic cleric, educator, and preacher, died in United States aged 83. An official portal associated with Gulen said the cleric in a hospital where he was being treated.
He was the founder of the Gulen movement, often referred to as “Hizmet” (service), which focuses on education, interfaith dialogue, and social development. However, Gulen has faced significant challenges and hostility from the Turkish government, leading to a complex relationship that evolved into open conflict, especially under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In the 1970s, Gulen started promoting education as a path to social change, encouraging his followers to establish schools, cultural centres, and media outlets both in Turkey and abroad. The movement quickly grew into a global network, with schools operating in over 160 countries. These institutions emphasised academic excellence alongside Islamic values and were widely regarded for producing well-educated professionals.
During the early years of Erdogan’s rule, the Gulen movement and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) enjoyed a mutually beneficial alliance. Both sides shared common interests: challenging Turkey’s military-dominated secular establishment and promoting moderate Islamic principles. Gulen’s followers held influential positions in the judiciary, police, and education sectors, helping the AKP consolidate power.
The relationship between Gulen and Erdogan began to deteriorate around 2012. As Erdogan tightened his grip on power, the Gulen movement grew increasingly critical of his authoritarian tendencies and allegations of corruption within the government. In response, Erdogan saw the movement’s influence as a threat to his rule.
The tensions peaked in December 2013, when prosecutors and police officers linked to the Gulen movement launched a corruption investigation targeting senior government officials, including Erdogan’s close associates. Erdogan dismissed the probe as a “coup attempt” orchestrated by Gulenists to undermine his government. This incident marked the beginning of an intense crackdown on Gulen-affiliated individuals and institutions.
The conflict reached its climax in July 2016, when a faction of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow Erdogan’s government. Though the coup was swiftly defeated, Erdogan accused Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the plot from his self-imposed exile in the United States, where he has lived since 1999. Gulen denied any involvement, condemning the coup attempt and calling for an international investigation. However, the Turkish government labelled his movement a terrorist organisation, referring to it as FETÖ (Fethullah Terrorist Organisation).
In the aftermath, Erdogan launched an extensive purge across Turkey, targeting individuals suspected of having ties to Gulen. Over 100,000 public sector employees, including judges, teachers, and military personnel, were dismissed or arrested. Gulen-affiliated schools, media outlets, and charities were shut down, and the government seized assets belonging to known supporters of the movement.
Since relocating to Pennsylvania in 1999, Gulen has lived in voluntary exile, citing health concerns and increasing political pressure in Turkey. Erdogan’s government has repeatedly demanded his extradition from the U.S., but Washington has declined, citing a lack of concrete evidence linking him to the coup attempt. The refusal has further strained U.S.-Turkey relations. Gulen maintains that the crackdown on his movement is part of Erdogan’s broader effort to silence dissent and consolidate power.
Today, Gulen movement continues to advocate for democracy, interfaith dialogue, and human rights through writings and speeches, but its influence within Turkey has waned significantly. Gulen’s supporters abroad remain active, though many continue to face persecution. Turkish authorities have pursued legal action against alleged Gulenists overseas, seeking their extradition through diplomatic channels.
