Fethullah Gulen is a Turkish religious leader who has gained international attention for his role in founding the Gulen movement, also known as Hizmet. Although he has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, his ideas and network continue to influence Turkey and beyond.
Gulen built a global community focused on education, interfaith dialogue, and social service. His followers have founded schools, universities, and charities across many countries. This movement emphasizes modern education blended with Islamic values, aiming to promote tolerance and open-mindedness.
Things got complicated for Gulen when the Turkish government accused him of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup attempt. Despite Gulen denying any involvement, Turkey labeled his movement a terrorist organization and pushed for his extradition from the U.S., where he refuses to return due to safety fears.
The conflict between the Turkish government and Gulen’s followers has led to a major crackdown on alleged members inside Turkey. Critics argue that the government uses the coup attempt as an excuse to silence opposition, while supporters say it was a genuine threat to democracy.
Even in exile, Gulen’s influence remains strong. His network operates schools worldwide, and he continues to be a voice on religious and social issues through his writings and speeches. Understanding Gulen’s background helps explain some of the tensions in Turkish politics and international relations today.
Whether you agree with him or not, Gulen’s story is a clear example of how religion, education, and politics can intersect on a global scale. His movement shows the power of ideas to cross borders and stir debate about governance, faith, and freedom.
Fethullah Gulen, an influential Turkish preacher and founder of the Hizmet movement, passed away in the U.S. at 83. Once an ally, his relationship with President Erdogan devolved into fierce rivalry, with accusations surrounding the 2016 coup attempt. These claims, involving serious accusations by Ankara, have been constant subjects of contention, resulting in major governmental crackdowns across various sectors in Turkey.
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