Fethullah Gülen, a reclusive Islamic cleric who had a profound impact on global social movements while facing unproven accusations of orchestrating a failed coup in Turkey in 2016, has died at the age of 84. Gülen’s death was confirmed on Sunday night by the Alliance for Shared Values, a New York-based organization that promotes his teachings in the U.S. He passed away at a hospital near his residence in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac Jr. attributed the death to natural causes, stating that Gülen had been in declining health for several years.
Gülen, a towering figure of faith and intellectual leadership, spent the final decades of his life in self-imposed exile, living in a gated compound while maintaining a strong influence among his millions of followers. His philosophy, a blend of Sufism—a mystical form of Islam—and unwavering advocacy for democracy, education, science, and interfaith dialogue, resonated with many. In recent years, he had stepped back from actively engaging in his movement, leaving its continuation to a close circle of advisors who have supported him for decades.
Gülen’s relationship with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took a dramatic turn from an initial alliance to bitter enmity. Gülen openly criticized Erdoğan, accusing him of authoritarianism and suppressing dissent. In return, Erdoğan labeled Gülen a terrorist, accusing him of masterminding the attempted military coup in July 2016. During the coup, factions within the military used tanks, fighter jets, and helicopters to try to seize control of the government. Erdoğan called on the public to resist the takeover, and thousands responded by taking to the streets. The coup plotters fired on civilians, bombed Parliament and other government buildings, leading to a tragic loss of life: 251 people were killed, around 2,200 injured, and approximately 35 alleged coup plotters died.
Gülen vehemently denied any involvement in the coup, and his supporters dismissed the accusations as politically motivated. Turkey placed Gülen on its most-wanted list and demanded his extradition, but the U.S. hesitated, citing a lack of sufficient evidence. Gülen was never charged with any crime in the U.S. and consistently condemned terrorism and the coup plotters.
Despite Gülen’s passing, the Turkish government maintains its stance against his movement. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared that Gülen’s death would not change their approach, stating that the organization “has been a threat rarely seen in the history of our nation.” He urged Gülen’s followers to abandon what he called “this treasonous wrong path.”
In Turkey, Gülen’s movement, often known as Hizmet (meaning “service” in Turkish), has been subjected to a relentless crackdown. The government arrested tens of thousands of people suspected of links to the coup attempt, dismissed over 130,000 from civil service positions, and removed more than 23,000 from the military. Hundreds of businesses, schools, and media organizations associated with Gülen were also shut down. Gülen condemned the crackdown as a witch hunt and denounced Turkey’s leaders as “tyrants.”
The legacy of Fethullah Gülen remains a complex and controversial one. His teachings inspired millions, but his alleged role in the 2016 coup attempt will continue to be debated. His death marks the end of a chapter in Turkish history, but the impact of his movement and the controversies surrounding his legacy will likely continue to be felt for years to come.