Fethullah Gulen dies in exile: once a prominent figure and former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has died in exile at the age of 83.
The controversial Muslim preacher, accused of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup in Turkey, passed away in Pennsylvania, United States, where he had lived since 1999. His death, confirmed by both his movement and the Turkish government, marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in Turkish politics.
Gulen’s passing was confirmed on October 20, 2024, by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said, “Our intelligence sources confirm the death of the leader of the FETO organisation.
” The preacher, whose once-influential Hizmet movement was declared a terrorist group by Turkey, died in a US hospital after spending over two decades in exile. His website, Herkul, which is banned in Turkey, also acknowledged his death, promising further details about his funeral.
Gulen Dies in Exile After Strained Relations with Erdogan
The news that Fethullah Gulen dies in exile underscores the long-standing rivalry between him and Erdogan, who once shared a close alliance. Gulen’s Hizmet movement, known for its educational and charitable initiatives, was highly influential during the early years of Erdogan’s leadership. However, by 2010, their relationship had soured, with tensions rising over corruption allegations within Erdogan’s inner circle.
In 2016, Gulen was accused of masterminding a coup attempt to overthrow Erdogan’s government. The failed coup resulted in the deaths of around 250 people, and the Turkish authorities immediately blamed Gulen’s supporters within the military.
Following the event, the Turkish government launched a massive crackdown on those associated with Gulen, branding his movement the Fethullah Terror Organisation (FETO). Despite these accusations, Gulen denied any involvement, asserting that his movement had no connection to the coup.
Life in Exile: Gulen’s Pennsylvania Years
After relocating to the United States in 1999 for health reasons, Fethullah Gulen spent the rest of his life in exile. From his residence in Pennsylvania, he continued to lead the Hizmet movement, which once had a vast network of schools and institutions worldwide. However, after his fallout with Erdogan, many of these institutions came under scrutiny, and several were forced to close, especially in countries that sought to maintain strong diplomatic ties with Turkey. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
Despite his death, the fact that Gulen dies in exile highlights the strained relationship between him and his home country. Stripped of his Turkish citizenship in 2017, Gulen’s influence diminished significantly over the years, particularly after the failed 2016 coup.
His death is unlikely to change the Turkish government’s stance on his movement, as Ankara continues to demand the extradition of Gulen’s followers from countries where his network remains active. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
Ongoing Crackdown: Turkey’s Response to Gulen’s Death
Even though Gulen dies in exile, Turkey’s efforts to dismantle his movement are far from over. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating FETO, stating that Gulen’s death would not halt the fight against what Ankara considers a national security threat. “This organisation poses a significant risk,” Tunc said, underscoring that the crackdown on Gulen’s followers will continue.
Since the 2016 coup attempt, Turkish authorities have arrested thousands of individuals with suspected links to Gulen, with many sentenced to life in prison. More than 700,000 people have been prosecuted for alleged involvement in the Hizmet movement, as Erdogan’s government continues to pursue those it deems a threat to national stability. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
Gulen’s Funeral and Legacy
As Gulen dies in exile, his burial is expected to take place in the United States. Turkish security sources indicated that his funeral would likely be a private affair, with only a few close associates in attendance. The location of his burial is expected to remain undisclosed, reflecting ongoing concerns about security and potential backlash. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
While Fethullah Gulen‘s passing marks the end of an era, his movement, once a powerful force in Turkish society, has seen its influence wane in recent years.
Hizmet’s global network of schools, which once operated on every continent, is now largely confined to countries like the United States, Germany, Nigeria, and South Africa. The death of Gulen in exile is symbolic of the movement’s decline, with its remaining operations now functioning on a much smaller scale. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
The Impact of Gulen’s Death on Turkey
Although Gulen dies in exile far from his homeland, his passing is unlikely to have a significant impact on the current political landscape in Turkey. According to experts like Bayram Balci, a researcher at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, “Since the break with Erdogan in 2010 and especially after the attempted coup in 2016, Gulen’s image has been very bad. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
Few people hold him in high esteem.” Gulen’s once-formidable reputation has been tarnished in Turkey, where he is widely regarded as a traitor.
The ongoing purge of Gulen’s followers continues to shape Turkish politics, with Ankara regularly demanding the extradition of individuals linked to Hizmet from countries where the movement still operates. Despite Gulen’s death, Turkey remains committed to dismantling any remnants of his network.
Conclusion: Gulen Dies in Exile, but His Movement’s Struggles Continue
The fact that Fethullah Gulen dies in exile represents the final chapter in a long-running saga of political rivalry and personal downfall. Once an influential figure in Turkey, Gulen’s life took a dramatic turn after his fallout with Erdogan, culminating in his forced exile and the subsequent dismantling of his movement within Turkey. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
As Gulen dies in exile, his passing will have little immediate effect on Turkish politics, where his name has been synonymous with treason and rebellion. His legacy, once tied to education and charity, is now marred by allegations of terrorism and the attempted overthrow of a government.
While his movement may still operate in a limited capacity globally, the decline of Hizmet is a stark reminder of how far Gulen’s influence has fallen since his early days as a close ally of Erdogan. {Fethullah Gulen dies in exile}
