Fethullah Gülen, Founder of Global Hizmet Movement, Dies in U.S. \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Fethullah Gülen, a U.S.-based Islamic cleric and founder of the global Hizmet movement, passed away at age 80 in Pennsylvania. Gülen, accused by Turkey of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt against President Erdogan, consistently denied involvement. His death leaves a complex legacy, with followers worldwide mourning his passing while the Turkish government continues to crack down on his movement. Gülen’s life spanned decades of influence, from promoting interfaith dialogue and education to facing accusations of terrorism in Turkey.
Fethullah Gülen’s Death and Legacy: Quick Looks
- Death at 80: Gülen passed away in Pennsylvania, where he lived in self-imposed exile for over two decades. His death was confirmed by the Alliance for Shared Values, which promotes his work in the U.S.
- Accused of Coup Involvement: Gülen was accused of masterminding the 2016 failed coup in Turkey, though he adamantly denied these charges. The U.S. refused to extradite him due to insufficient evidence.
- Hizmet Movement’s Global Reach: The Hizmet movement, founded by Gülen, operates schools, charities, and professional organizations in over 100 countries, with a focus on education, democracy, and interfaith dialogue.
- Crackdown in Turkey: Since the 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish government has arrested tens of thousands and shut down organizations linked to Gülen, labeling the movement a terrorist group.
- Influence Beyond Turkey: Despite persecution in Turkey, Gülen’s teachings continue to inspire followers around the world, with many viewing him as a figure of peace and modern Islamic thought.
Deep Look:
Fethullah Gülen, the influential Turkish cleric who spent over two decades in self-exile in the United States, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 80. Gülen, who inspired the global Hizmet (or “service”) movement, died of natural causes at a hospital near his residence in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. The Alliance for Shared Values, a New York-based group that promotes Gülen’s teachings in the U.S., confirmed his passing. His death marks the end of a complex and controversial life, one that spanned decades of influence, both spiritual and political.
Born in the eastern Turkish city of Erzurum in 1941 (though some reports suggest 1938), Gülen rose to prominence as a religious leader preaching a modern and tolerant form of Islam. He emphasized education, democracy, and interfaith dialogue, which resonated with many in Turkey and around the world. Gülen founded the Hizmet movement, which went on to establish a network of schools, charitable organizations, and professional associations in more than 100 countries, including the United States, where more than 150 taxpayer-funded charter schools have been affiliated with the movement.
The heart of Gülen’s philosophy blended the mystical Sufi tradition of Islam with the belief that religion, science, and education could coexist harmoniously. His message struck a chord with millions, particularly in Turkey’s conservative and religiously observant communities. His global network of schools and organizations aimed to create a bridge between the Islamic world and the West, promoting mutual understanding through education and social services.
However, despite the peaceful nature of his teachings, Gülen became one of the most controversial figures in modern Turkish history. Once an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gülen’s relationship with the leader soured over time. In the early 2000s, the two were united in their opposition to Turkey’s secular elite, particularly the military, which had long wielded significant influence over the country’s politics. Gülen’s movement supported Erdogan’s rise to power, but their alliance began to fracture as the cleric’s followers criticized Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian policies.
The rift between the two men came to a head in 2013 when Gülen’s supporters exposed alleged corruption within Erdogan’s inner circle. Erdogan, who denied the allegations, grew increasingly suspicious of the growing influence of the Hizmet movement within Turkey’s police and judiciary. By 2014, Erdogan had publicly accused Gülen’s movement of operating a “parallel state” within Turkey, using its influence to undermine his government.
This tension culminated in the events of July 15, 2016, when factions within the Turkish military launched an attempted coup against Erdogan’s government. The coup attempt resulted in the deaths of 251 people, with more than 2,200 wounded, as tanks, warplanes, and helicopters were deployed to overthrow the government. The coup plotters bombed parliament and other government buildings, leading to widespread chaos across the country. Erdogan responded by urging his supporters to take to the streets, where they confronted the coup forces, ultimately quelling the uprising.
Erdogan quickly blamed Gülen for orchestrating the coup, a charge the cleric vehemently denied. Gülen, who had been living in the U.S. since 1999, condemned the coup attempt and repeatedly denied any involvement. Despite this, the Turkish government demanded his extradition from the United States, listing him as the top suspect in the coup plot. The U.S. government, citing a lack of evidence, refused to extradite him, and Gülen was never formally charged with any crime on U.S. soil. Throughout the remainder of his life, Gülen continued to denounce both the coup and terrorism, maintaining that his movement was peaceful and focused solely on education and dialogue.
In the aftermath of the coup attempt, Erdogan’s government launched a massive crackdown on those suspected of having ties to Gülen and the Hizmet movement. Over 130,000 civil servants were dismissed from their posts, tens of thousands were arrested, and hundreds of media outlets, businesses, schools, and charities linked to the movement were shut down. Erdogan labeled Hizmet a terrorist organization, a classification many outside Turkey find contentious, as Gülen’s supporters emphasize the peaceful nature of his philosophy.
Gülen himself described the crackdown as a “witch hunt” and accused Erdogan of using the coup as a pretext to consolidate power and silence dissent. “The last year has taken a toll on me as hundreds of thousands of innocent Turkish citizens are being punished simply because the government decides they are somehow ‘connected’ to me or the Hizmet movement,” he said on the first anniversary of the coup attempt in 2017.
Despite his political battles, Gülen remained a source of inspiration to millions of followers worldwide. His educational and charitable work earned him admiration from diverse communities, particularly in countries where his schools promoted science and math education alongside Islamic values. Supporters saw Gülen as a forward-thinking Islamic leader who championed coexistence and understanding in an increasingly polarized world.
Abdulhamit Bilici, former editor-in-chief of Zaman, a Gülen-affiliated newspaper shut down by the Turkish government in 2016, reflected on the cleric’s enduring influence: “He was a source of inspiration for millions of people, not just in Turkey, but around the world. So this is a very sad day and a day of reflection, mourning, and prayer.” Bilici, speaking from the retreat center in Pennsylvania where Gülen had spent his final years, emphasized that Gülen’s peaceful teachings would continue to inspire future generations.
However, not everyone shared this view. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated the government’s stance on Monday, stating that Gülen’s death “will not make us complacent or relaxed.” Fidan warned that the Hizmet movement remained a threat to Turkey and called on Gülen’s followers to abandon what he called a “treasonous wrong path.” Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that while Gülen was gone, his organization remained intact and continued to pose a threat to the state.
In Turkey, Gülen’s movement—once known for running schools, hospitals, charities, and media outlets—has been severely weakened by the government’s aggressive campaign against it. Despite this, the global reach of the movement remains, with schools, foundations, and businesses operating in countries as diverse as the U.S., Kenya, and Indonesia. In the U.S., Gülen’s charter schools continue to educate thousands of students, while his interfaith initiatives promote dialogue between Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
Gülen’s death raises questions about the future of the Hizmet movement. The cleric had largely stepped back from an active leadership role in recent years due to his declining health, leaving much of the movement’s day-to-day operations to his close advisors. Following his passing, the Alliance for Shared Values indicated that these advisors would continue the work Gülen started, emphasizing education, interfaith cooperation, and democratic values.
Y. Alp Aslandogan, a close confidante of Gülen and president of the New York-based group that promotes his work, said the cleric’s vision would live on through his followers. “His teachings on the importance of education, tolerance, and dialogue will continue to guide the movement for generations to come,” Aslandogan said.
Although Gülen had been largely absent from public life in recent years, his legacy remains deeply intertwined with both the political and social fabric of Turkey and the global network of his followers. His death brings to a close one of the most polarizing chapters in modern Turkish history, but the debates surrounding his movement, its role in Turkish politics, and its future will likely continue for years to come.
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