Fethullah Gulen, Exiled Muslim Cleric Accused of Organizing Coup, Dies at 83 in the US

A Controversial Figure Passes Away in Exile

US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who had been accused by Turkish authorities of organizing a failed coup in 2016, has passed away in exile in the United States at the age of 83, according to his personal website.

Background of Fethullah Gulen

• Gulen had been living in Pennsylvania since 1999.
• He was stripped of his Turkish nationality in 2017.
• His website, Herkul, reported his passing on October 20.
• Gulen had been an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the fallout.
  

  The Rise and Fall of Fethullah Gulen
  

• He was accused of being the mastermind behind the failed coup in Turkey in 2016.
• Erdogan’s government labeled his Hizmet organization as a "terrorist" group.
• Gulen denied the accusations and maintained his innocence.
• Hizmet runs a network of Islamic schools worldwide.
  

  Erdogan’s Crackdown on Gulen Followers
  

• Erdogan launched a crackdown on Gulen followers after corruption allegations in 2013.
• The failed coup in 2016 further strained the relationship between Erdogan and Gulen.
• Thousands of Gulen followers were jailed, and legal action was taken against hundreds of thousands of people.
• Government workers, soldiers, and investigating magistrates were among those sacked.
  

  Impact of Gulen’s Death
  

• Turkish media widely reported Gulen’s death on Monday.
• The government has not yet made an official statement regarding his passing.

  In conclusion, the death of Fethullah Gulen marks the end of a controversial figure’s life in exile. His legacy as a once ally turned enemy of President Erdogan will be remembered in the complex political landscape of Turkey. The fallout between the two figures and the subsequent crackdown on Gulen followers have had far-reaching consequences, leading to significant political and social upheaval in the country. Gulen’s passing will undoubtedly have implications for the future of Turkish politics and the ongoing power struggle between different factions within the nation.