Fethullah Gulen, the controversial Turkish cleric and former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has died at the age of 83. Gulen lived in exile in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains since 1999, where he resided in an apartment on a compound owned by the Golden Generation Foundation, a nonprofit organization supported by his followers.
Although no cause of death has been announced, he was known to have been in poor health in recent years. Gulen was accused by the Turkish government of masterminding the 2016 coup attempt and was often portrayed as a dangerous figure within Turkey, where authorities claimed he led a criminal organization that infiltrated state institutions. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed Gulen’s death and characterized him as the leader of a “dark organisation,” emphasizing that Turkey’s fight against terrorism would persist.
Gulen first gained recognition as a preacher in the 1960s in Izmir, where he established a network of boarding houses to support students. Over time, his influence expanded, leading to the establishment of schools, charities, and media outlets. His followers eventually opened more than 1,000 schools in 160 countries, offering quality education that propelled many into significant roles in Turkey’s judiciary, police, and bureaucracy.
In 1999, Gulen left Turkey for the United States. While he publicly cited health reasons for his departure, critics suggested it was due to a government investigation into his activities. In 2000, he was tried in absentia for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the state, a conviction that would later be referenced following the 2016 coup attempt.
Initially, Gulen and his followers had a strong alliance with Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in the early 2000s, resulting in Gulen followers gaining influential positions within the government. However, tensions surfaced, culminating in a corruption probe that implicated key government officials in 2013. Erdogan accused Gulen of orchestrating this scandal and creating a “parallel state.”
The situation escalated dramatically in July 2016, when factions within the military attempted to overthrow Erdogan’s government. Although the coup failed, it resulted in numerous casualties and widespread purges of suspected Gulen supporters from government, military, and judicial roles. The Turkish government subsequently classified Gulen’s movement as the FETO, or Fethullah Terrorist Organization.
Despite multiple extradition requests for Gulen, the U.S. government found insufficient evidence tying him directly to the attempted coup. Following the coup, Gulen’s institutions faced significant crackdowns, leading to the closure of schools and charities, and many of his supporters were imprisoned or forced into exile. While Gulen’s movement persists internationally, it operates with reduced visibility and has faced various investigations, including allegations of financial misconduct in the U.S.
Gulen remained unmarried throughout his life.