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Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric who once wielded significant influence through his powerful Islamic movement, has passed away at the age of 83. Gulen, a controversial figure, spent his final years facing accusations of masterminding a failed coup attempt against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. Gulen's death was confirmed by Herkul, a website that publishes his sermons, which stated that he died on Sunday evening in a U.S. hospital where he had been receiving treatment.

Born in Erzurum, Turkey, in 1941, Gulen grew up studying the Quran, following in the footsteps of his father, who was an Islamic preacher. In 1959, Gulen began his career as a mosque imam in Edirne and later gained prominence in Izmir during the 1960s as an influential preacher. His teachings led to the establishment of student dormitories and informal networks that spread across multiple sectors, including education, media, business, and even state institutions. Over the years, his movement, known as "Hizmet" (meaning "service"), expanded far beyond Turkey, with schools in Central Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and the West, aiming to promote Western-style education, free markets, and interfaith communication.

Fethullah Gulen was a deeply respected Islamic scholar and a compassionate voice in modern thought and an influential author whose writings deeply shaped Islamic thought. His extensive knowledge of traditional Islamic teachings, combined with a deep understanding of Western philosophy and intellectual trends, set him apart as a scholar of both worlds. Throughout his life, Gulen maintained a firm belief in the principles of Islam, while also embracing the changes and progress of modern society. His work reflects this balance, offering insight and guidance to those seeking to bridge faith and contemporary life.

Gulen had a unique ability to translate personal faith and scholarly erudition into clear and accessible language, which inspired those who heard or read his words to serve their fellow human beings. This approach, for many, was seen as one of the best ways to practice serving God. He was not only a revered scholar but also one of the greatest writers in contemporary Islamic thought. Some of his well-known works include "Towards the Lost Paradise", "The Essentials of the Islamic Faith", and "Pearls of Wisdom"—books that continue to inspire and educate people globally.

Incorporating his deep scholarship, teaching, and writings, Gulen's legacy remains influential, despite his years in exile and the controversies surrounding his later life. His intellectual contributions stand as a testament to his impact on both Islamic thought and global interfaith dialogue. 

For much of his life, Gulen was an ally of Erdogan and the AK Party, with the two working closely to solidify political influence. However, their relationship began to sour in 2013 when corruption investigations targeted officials close to Erdogan. Many suspected that the police and prosecutors involved were tied to Gulen’s Hizmet movement. By 2014, Erdogan’s government issued an arrest warrant for Gulen and later, in 2016, officially designated his movement as a terrorist group.

The fallout from the 2016 coup attempt further escalated tensions. Gulen, who had lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999, was blamed by Erdogan for the attempted coup that resulted in the deaths of 250 people. Despite Gulen’s vehement denial of any involvement, Erdogan’s government labeled his followers as traitors and began systematically dismantling his network. Thousands of individuals associated with Hizmet were arrested or dismissed from their jobs in a massive post-coup crackdown. Gulen's schools, businesses, and media outlets were seized or shut down by the Turkish government.

Gulen’s death marks the end of an era for his movement, which has seen its influence wane in recent years. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commented on Gulen’s passing, labeling him as the leader of a "dark organization" and vowing to continue the fight against his legacy. Fidan expressed hope that Gulen’s death would break the "spell" over Turkish youth who had followed his path under the guise of religious values.

While Gulen’s followers continue to hold him in high regard, particularly as a moderate Islamic leader, his reputation remains tarnished in the eyes of the Turkish government and opposition. His once vast influence has now diminished, both within Turkey and internationally, as his movement faced relentless dismantling and isolation over the years. 

Despite facing the threat of extradition, Gulen remained in the U.S., residing in a gated compound in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Even in his later years, when he was frail and under constant medical supervision, Gulen insisted that he had no plans to flee the U.S., stating in a 2017 interview that he intended to stay where he was.