Turkish Preacher Fethullah Gülen, Former Ally and Bitter Enemy of President Erdogan, Passes Away
Fethullah Gülen, the influential Turkish preacher and former ally turned fierce critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has passed away, leaving behind a complex legacy that has shaped Turkish politics and society. Gülen's rise to prominence began in the 1970s and 80s, as he built a massive following through his sermons and writings, emphasizing the importance of education, interfaith dialogue, and moderate Islam ¹.
Gülen's movement, known as Hizmet, established schools, universities, and cultural centers globally, promoting a vision of Islam that valued tolerance, hard work, and community service. Initially, Gülen and Erdogan found common ground, with Gülen's movement supporting Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the 2000s. However, their alliance began to fray in 2011, when Erdogan's government started to crack down on Gülen's network of schools and media outlets.
The final break came in 2016, when Erdogan accused Gülen of masterminding a failed coup attempt, leading to a massive purge of Gülen's followers from Turkey's military, judiciary, and civil service. Gülen denied these allegations, insisting that his movement was focused on education and social welfare ¹.
*Gülen's Legacy*
Gülen's impact on Turkish politics and society is multifaceted. Some hail him as a champion of moderate Islam and education, while others view him as a polarizing figure who undermined Erdogan's authority.
- *Moderate Islam*: Gülen's teachings emphasized the importance of tolerance, education, and community service, promoting a vision of Islam that valued democracy and human rights.
- *Education*: Gülen's movement established schools and universities globally, providing access to education for millions of students.
- *Interfaith Dialogue*: Gülen was a vocal advocate for interfaith dialogue, promoting understanding and cooperation between Muslims and people of other faiths.
Despite his global reputation, Gülen faced intense scrutiny and criticism, particularly from Erdogan's government. He was accused of running a "parallel state" in Turkey, using his followers to infiltrate key institutions and undermine Erdogan's authority ¹.
*Controversy and Exile*
Gülen's life was marked by exile, living in self-imposed isolation in Pennsylvania since 1999. His influence extended far beyond Turkey's borders, with millions of followers worldwide. However, his movement was banned in Turkey, and he was designated a terrorist leader by the Turkish government.
The Turkish government's crackdown on Gülen's movement has been relentless, with over 90,000 people arrested or imprisoned since 2016. Gülen's own life was marked by controversy, with some questioning his motives and others hailing him as a champion of democracy and human rights ¹.
As the world reflects on Gülen's passing, his legacy remains complex and multifaceted. While some hail him as a champion of moderate Islam and education, others view him as a polarizing figure. One thing is certain: Fethullah Gülen's impact on Turkish politics and society will be felt for generations to come.
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