Fethullah Gülen, di Turkish cleric wey dem accuse say him mastermind di failed 2016 coup in Turkey, don die at di age of 83. Him die on Sunday night in a hospital in Pennsylvania, USA, where him dey live in self-exile since 1999.
Gülen, who be di spiritual head of di Gulen movement, also known as Hizmet, meaning ‘service’ in Turkish, had been living in di Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Him movement, which start as educational institutions, expand to include business and government roles, but later become a thorn in di side of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan and Gülen once be allies, but their relationship sour after Gülen’s movement criticize government policy and expose alleged corruption within Erdogan’s inner circle. Di Turkish government label Gülen’s movement as a terrorist organization in 2016, accusing dem of orchestrating di failed coup attempt that kill 251 people and wound over 2,200 others.
Gülen consistently deny any involvement in di coup, but Erdogan’s government continue to pursue his extradition from di US. However, di US never consent to his return, leading to diplomatic tensions between di two countries.
Gülen’s death been confirmed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Gülen’s nephew, Kemal Gülen. Gülen’s movement, which advocate for a version of Islam that blend Sufism with democracy, education, science, and interfaith dialogue, still have millions of followers worldwide.
Despite di accusations against him, Gülen remain a significant figure in Turkey and globally, known for his emphasis on education and interfaith dialogue. His death mark di end of an era for di Gulen movement, but di future of di movement remain uncertain).
