Fethullah Gülen, the controversial Turkish cleric who has been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, has died at the age of 83, according to reports from Turkish media. Sources, including the Turkish national broadcaster NTV and other outlets, announced his death on Monday morning, citing a tweet from a family member and a website associated with Gülen’s teachings. Official confirmation of his death has yet to be released.
Gülen’s health had reportedly been deteriorating in recent months. According to Hinde Firat, a correspondent for Hürriyet Daily News, Gülen suffered from multiple health issues including kidney failure, diabetes, and dementia, which had taken a severe toll in his final days.
A Long Exile in the U.S.
Fethullah Gülen had been living in Pennsylvania since 1999 after going into voluntary exile from Turkey. He was a prominent Islamic scholar and preacher who once had close ties to Turkey’s political establishment. However, his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan deteriorated dramatically, particularly after Erdoğan accused Gülen of orchestrating the failed coup attempt of July 2016.
Despite vehement denials from Gülen and his movement, Erdoğan’s government has relentlessly pursued legal and political measures against him. Turkey repeatedly requested Gülen’s extradition from the U.S., alleging that he was the mastermind behind the coup attempt, which led to the deaths of over 250 people and triggered widespread political upheaval.
Widespread Crackdown Following the Coup
The aftermath of the failed coup saw a significant crackdown on Gülen’s followers, known as the Gülen movement or Hizmet (meaning “service” in Turkish). The Turkish government, under Erdoğan’s leadership, officially designated the Gülen movement as a terrorist organisation, referring to it as the Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETÖ).
In the years following the attempted coup, more than 80,000 people were arrested in Turkey for alleged ties to Gülen and his movement. Additionally, over 150,000 civil servants, military personnel, educators, and members of the judiciary were dismissed or suspended in a sweeping purge of state institutions. This crackdown extended across various sectors of Turkish society, with the media, educational institutions, and non-governmental organisations being targeted.
Global Influence of the Gülen Movement
The Gülen movement is estimated to have millions of followers worldwide. It operates an extensive network of schools, media outlets, charities, and cultural organisations across the globe. Gülen’s teachings advocate for a moderate interpretation of Islam, with a focus on dialogue, tolerance, and democracy—values that he promoted from his U.S. base.
However, Gülen’s influence was a source of division within Turkey. While some conservative factions criticised him for being too liberal in his religious approach, secularists accused his movement of attempting to dismantle the secular nature of the Turkish state in favour of an Islamic government.
Legacy of Controversy
Fethullah Gülen leaves behind a complex and controversial legacy. To his supporters, he was a visionary who sought to bridge the gap between Islam and modernity, advocating for a peaceful, dialogue-driven approach to societal challenges. His network of schools and charitable organisations garnered praise for their educational and humanitarian work, particularly in regions facing poverty or conflict.
However, to his critics, particularly in Erdoğan’s administration, he represented a serious threat to Turkey’s political order. The failed coup attempt of 2016 cemented his status as a public enemy in Turkey, with many of his followers facing imprisonment, exile, or worse in the years that followed.
Gülen’s death may bring an end to the personal saga of one of Turkey’s most polarising figures, but the influence of his movement—and the repercussions of the post-coup crackdown—are likely to continue shaping Turkish society for years to come. Official confirmation of his passing is still awaited, and how both his supporters and detractors will respond to his death remains to be seen.