Mourners are grieving the loss of Fethullah Gülen, a prominent Turkish spiritual leader and Islamic scholar who passed away this week in the United States. Family, friends, and followers are coming together to pay their respects to Gülen, who died in self-exile at a hospital in Pennsylvania at the age of 80. Despite facing unproven allegations of orchestrating a failed military coup in Turkey in 2016, Gülen left behind a legacy that transcends controversies.
A funeral prayer service has been planned for Gülen in Sussex County, New Jersey, with thousands of mourners expected to attend. Following the service, Gülen will be laid to rest in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, at the Chestnut Retreat Center where he resided for 25 years. While only close family and friends will be present at the burial, the Alliance for Shared Values, based in New York, emphasised the significance of Gülen’s intellectual and religious contributions that will impact generations to come.
Gülen, known for blending Sufism with a strong advocacy for democracy, education, science, and interfaith dialogue, cultivated a global network spanning over 100 countries. Initially an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gülen later became a vocal critic, leading to a tumultuous relationship between the two figures. Erdogan accused Gülen of being a terrorist and masterminding the 2016 coup attempt, resulting in a crackdown on Gülen’s followers and institutions in Turkey.
While Gülen was never charged with a crime in the US and denied any involvement in the coup, his movement, known as Hizmet, faced severe repression in Turkey. Erdogan’s government pledged to continue its efforts to eliminate the Gülenist movement even after Gülen’s passing. The spiritual leader’s death has prompted reflections on his life’s work and the enduring impact of his teachings on democracy and interfaith dialogue.
In conclusion, Fethullah Gülen’s death marks the end of a chapter in Turkish history that is laden with political turmoil and religious controversy. Despite the allegations and crackdown on his followers, Gülen’s legacy as a proponent of peace, education, and democracy continues to resonate globally, leaving a lasting imprint on those who were touched by his teachings. As his followers mourn his passing, they also celebrate the enduring values and principles that Gülen advocated throughout his life.