Fethullah Gülen, U.S.-based cleric accused of masterminding 2016 coup attempt in native Turkey, has died
CBSOCT 20 2024
Turkish Cleric Gulen Dies in US Exile
Turkish Cleric Gulen Dies in US Exile
The Facts
Fethullah Gulen, an influential Turkish Muslim cleric, died Sunday at 83 in a US hospital where he was receiving treatment.
Gulen, who was living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, was accused by Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of orchestrating a failed 2016 coup attempt, which Gulen denied. The coup attempt left around 250 dead and over 2K injured.
Gulen rose to prominence as a preacher in the 1960s. From there, the Gulen movement, known as 'Hizmet,' spread its influence through education, business, and media — promoting a moderate brand of Islam with Western-style education and interfaith dialogue.
The Spin
Turkey has never provided much evidence for its elaborate allegations against Gulen and the US. Gulen had a controversial and complicated relationship with Erdoğan. Given that Gulen and Erdoğan held somewhat aligned views, their differences were likely connected to the corruption charges against the president rather than religious beliefs.
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