The Rise of Fethullah Gulen: From Cleric to Influential Leader
Fethullah Gulen, whose journey from a revered Turkish preacher to a controversial figure on the global stage, has been filled with twists and turns, culminating in his death at the age of 83. Known predominantly for his extensive network of educational institutions and civil organizations worldwide, Gulen became a highly contentious figure in Turkey, accused of orchestrating a coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His life, marked by both influence and controversy, leaves behind a legacy deeply imprinted on Turkish politics and beyond.
Gulen's origins as a preacher date back to the 1960s in Izmir, Turkey, where he initially gained recognition for establishing 'lighthouses,' boarding houses providing academic assistance to students. This initiative quickly expanded, evolving into a wide-reaching network of schools and civil society organizations across Turkey, emphasizing educational excellence and interfaith dialogue. Over the years, his supporters established over 1,000 schools in more than 160 countries. These institutions, though not explicitly religious, offered quality education that attracted students from varied backgrounds, many of whom later assumed prominent roles in Turkey's state machinery.
The Schism with Erdogan: From Alliance to Opposition
In the early 2000s, Gulen's movement aligned closely with Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). The mutual goal of countering the influence of the secular military linked them in a strategic partnership. However, as the decade progressed, strains began to appear between the groups. Disagreements culminated in 2013 when prosecutors and police officers, allegedly linked to Gulen, initiated corruption probes against Erdogan's allies. Erdogan accused Gulen of leading a campaign to establish a 'parallel state' in Turkey. This accusation marked the beginning of an intense crackdown on Gulen's network, leading to a series of purges and arrests within state institutions.
The 2016 Coup Attempt: A Turning Point
The uneasy relationship reached a breaking point with the failed coup attempt in 2016. Allegations surfaced that Gulen orchestrated the military uprising, aiming to topple Erdogan's government. While the coup was swiftly quelled, resulting in the tragic loss of hundreds of lives, its aftermath was profound. The Turkish government's response was swift and extensive, branding Gulen's followers as members of the FETO or Fethullah Terrorist Organization. In the years following, tens of thousands of individuals were purged from civil service, the military, and the judiciary.
Despite Turkey’s multiple extradition requests, the United States maintained Gulen’s residence in Pennsylvania, citing insufficient evidence to link him directly to the coup. This legal stalemate underscores the diplomatic tensions between the two nations, exposing the intricate interplay of international politics and national security amid Gulen's far-reaching network.
Life in Exile and the Future of the Movement
While residing in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Gulen's influence continued to reverberate through his global network, albeit at a reduced capacity. Despite declining health and limited public appearances, he continued to communicate through written statements, urging his followers to prioritize education, dialogue, and peaceful action. Gulen's death may lead to significant shifts within his movement, affecting loyalists worldwide who have long championed his educational and philanthropic ideals.
In the United States, Gulen-affiliated entities, including several charter schools, have faced scrutiny under allegations of financial irregularities. Such controversies highlight the complexity of Gulen’s legacy, which extends beyond national borders, affecting educational and political landscapes across continents.
The Legacy of Fethullah Gulen
Gulen's enduring impact is multifaceted, spanning religious discourse, education, and geopolitical diplomacy. His supporters view him as a pioneer of modern educational reform and interfaith dialogue, while critics argue that his covert strategies aimed to undermine state institutions. As his followers reevaluate the movement's direction in a post-Gulen era, the world continues to watch how this intricate saga unfolds in Turkey and beyond.
The intricate tale of Gulen reflects larger themes within the modern socio-political narrative, where religious movements intersect with governance, global politics, and education. As Turkey advances under Erdogan's leadership, the shadows of Gulen's influence and the considerable international ramifications of his life's work remain pronounced, underpinning the need for nuanced understanding and dialogue in resolving the challenging interplay between faith and state.
Sihle Tana
I am a journalist with a passion for covering daily news in Africa. My work has taken me across the continent, reporting on significant events and stories that impact communities. I strive to bring insightful and comprehensive news coverage to my readers.
Interesting read. I didn't know Gulen had schools in so many countries.
The educational network he built is impressive, even if the politics around it are messy. Education shouldn't be tied to power struggles.
People call him a terrorist but his schools taught kids to read and write. Maybe the real problem is Erdogan's paranoia?
This is a textbook case of how religious movements can become political threats when they grow too large. The man built a parallel state, and anyone who denies that is willfully blind. The coup attempt was not an accident-it was the culmination of decades of infiltration.
FETO = Fake Education Terrorist Organization 😂 The US let him live in luxury while thousands lost their jobs. America’s foreign policy is a joke.
Let’s be real-he was a soft-power authoritarian with a PhD in institutional capture. His schools weren’t about education, they were about loyalty pipelines. The pedagogy was just the sugar coating.
He was a cult leader. Period.
I’ve met people who went to Gulen schools. They’re kind, disciplined, and deeply ethical. It’s tragic that a movement rooted in service got dragged into geopolitics. Not everyone in the network wanted power-they just wanted to teach.
I’m from a country where religious education is banned. Seeing how his schools gave kids from poor families a shot at university… it’s heartbreaking to see that system torn apart.
The coup attempt was a disaster-but so was the purge that followed! Tens of thousands of teachers, judges, soldiers-gone! Without due process! This isn’t justice, it’s vengeance!
Oh please. The schools were fronts. The textbooks were propaganda. The students were brainwashed. Anyone who defends him is either delusional or part of the network.
The US government knew. They had intel. They let him stay because they wanted leverage over Turkey. This is classic Cold War-style realpolitik. Gulen was their asset.
Look, I’ve seen what these schools do in rural India and Southeast Asia. They don’t push religion-they push discipline, critical thinking, and respect for teachers. I’ve seen kids from slums become engineers because of them. Calling them a terrorist network is like calling the Red Cross a spy ring because one doctor worked in a war zone. It’s lazy demonization.
The real tragedy is how this story gets reduced to ‘good guy vs bad guy.’ Gulen wasn’t a saint, Erdogan isn’t a monster. Both played the long game. The students, the teachers, the families-they’re the ones who lost everything.
The institutional erosion that occurred under the guise of educational reform is a cautionary tale for any society that allows non-state actors to build parallel power structures. The rule of law must remain paramount, regardless of ideological appeal.
I worked at a Gulen-affiliated school in Central Asia. We had no political agenda. We taught math, science, English. The kids loved it. The moment Turkey started accusing us, the funding dried up, the government shut us down. We weren’t conspirators-we were teachers.
So let me get this straight-Erdogan was friends with a guy who spent 30 years building a secret army of teachers, then when the guy turns on him, he calls him a terrorist and fires half the country? Classic authoritarian playbook. Also, Gulen’s beard was legendary.
Gulen’s legacy isn’t about whether he orchestrated a coup-it’s about what happens when a religious leader becomes a state within a state. His movement offered opportunity, yes-but it also demanded obedience. That’s not education. That’s indoctrination wrapped in a curriculum. The world needs to stop romanticizing movements that blur the line between charity and control.