Fethullah: Turkey Mourns Erdoğan Rival

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Post on Oct 25, 2024

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Turkey Mourns Fethullah Gülen: Erdoğan Rival and Controversial Figure

It's a tough one to swallow, isn't it? Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish cleric who'd been living in self-imposed exile in the US, is gone. He was 84, and while some might say it's just another death, for Turkey, this feels way bigger.

Gülen's life story was one of influence and controversy. He rose to fame through his Hizmet movement, a network of schools, charities, and businesses that spread across the globe. He was, at one time, seen as a potential ally by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. But that changed, big time.

The Rift:

The Hizmet movement, also known as the Gülen movement, was once embraced by Erdoğan. They even helped him get elected in 2002. But the relationship went south. Erdoğan accused Gülen of orchestrating the 2016 attempted coup in Turkey. He blamed Gülen's followers for the unrest and cracked down hard on their network.

A Divided Nation:

Gülen vehemently denied any involvement in the coup attempt. He called the accusations "false and absurd," but it was too late. Turkey's government labeled him a "terrorist" and went after his followers. This, in turn, caused a major divide in Turkish society, separating those who believed Gülen and those who stood with Erdoğan.

The Legacy of a Complex Figure:

Gülen was a complicated figure, adored by some, loathed by others. His legacy is one of immense influence, both within Turkey and internationally. He built a vast network of followers through his message of interfaith dialogue and education. He also had a hand in establishing a global network of schools and institutions, helping to shape the lives of countless students.

A Loss for Turkey, and the World?

The question remains: how will Turkey deal with Gülen's death? Will it offer any sort of closure to the deep divisions caused by his legacy? And will the world remember him as a visionary leader or a dangerous manipulator? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: Fethullah Gülen's impact on Turkey, and the world, is undeniable.